What Exelon does and where it operates

Exelon is one of the largest electric and natural gas utilities in the United States. The company delivers power to millions of customers across six states: Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. Exelon owns and operates the power lines, poles, and underground cables that bring electricity to your home or business — it does not generate all the power itself, but it manages the grid that distributes it.

Exelon operates under different brand names depending on where you live. In Illinois, you may see Commonwealth Edison (ComEd). In Pennsylvania, it operates as PECO Energy. In Maryland and Delaware, the brand is Delmarva Power. In New Jersey, it is Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). In Washington, D.C., it is Pepco. If you live in one of these regions and receive an electric bill, your utility company is likely owned by Exelon, even if the name on your bill looks different.

The company's main job is to maintain the power lines and equipment that deliver electricity to your address, read your meter, bill you for the power you use, and respond to outages. Exelon also manages customer accounts, handles payment processing, and provides information about your energy use.

Key Takeaways

  • Exelon operates electric utilities in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., under different brand names like ComEd, PECO, and Pepco.
  • Your Exelon bill covers the cost of delivering electricity to your home through the power lines and equipment the company maintains, not the cost of generating the power itself.
  • You can set up an online account on your local Exelon utility's website to view your bill, report outages, and track your energy use.
  • Exelon offers budget billing plans that spread your annual costs into equal monthly payments, which can help with budgeting.
  • If you have trouble paying your bill, your local Exelon utility may offer hardship programs or payment plans based on your income.

How to set up your Exelon account online

Most Exelon utilities let you create an online account on their website. The process is straightforward: go to your local utility's website (ComEd.com for Illinois, PECO.com for Pennsylvania, Pepco.com for D.C., and so on), look for a "Create Account" or "Sign Up" button, and enter your service address and account number. Your account number appears on your paper bill in the upper right corner.

Once you have logged in, you can view your current and past bills, see your daily or hourly energy use if your meter supports it, report an outage, update your contact information, and set up automatic payments. Many Exelon utilities also let you receive your bill by email instead of paper, which speeds up the process and reduces clutter.

If you do not have your account number handy, you can usually look it up on the website using your service address and the phone number associated with your account. If you still cannot find it, call your local utility's customer service line — the number is on any bill you have received.

Understanding your electric bill and what you are paying for

Your Exelon bill has several parts. The largest is usually the energy charge, which is the cost of the electricity you actually used, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is the number that changes month to month based on how much power you consumed. The second major part is the delivery charge, which pays for Exelon to maintain the lines, poles, transformers, and other equipment that bring that power to your home. This charge is often similar each month because it does not depend on how much power you use.

Your bill may also include taxes, a customer charge (a small fixed fee just for being connected), and any riders or adjustments specific to your state. Some bills show a separate line for supply charges if you live in a state where you can choose your power supplier — in that case, Exelon handles delivery only, and another company sells you the actual power.

The bill also shows your meter reading at the start and end of the billing period, so you can see exactly how many kWh you used. If you have an online account, you can often see a day-by-day or hour-by-hour breakdown of your use, which helps you spot patterns and find ways to reduce consumption.

Budget billing and payment options

If your electric bill varies a lot from month to month — high in summer because of air conditioning, high in winter because of heating — Exelon offers budget billing through most of its utilities. This program averages your annual costs and spreads them into equal monthly payments. You pay the same amount each month, and at the end of the year, the account is settled: if you used less than you paid for, you get a credit; if you used more, you pay the difference.

To enroll in budget billing, log into your online account or call your local utility's customer service. The program is free and usually takes effect within one or two billing cycles. Budget billing does not reduce what you pay overall — it just makes the payments more predictable.

Exelon accepts payment by phone, online through your account, by mail, and in person at payment centers in some areas. You can also set up automatic payments from your bank account or credit card, which ensures you never miss a due date. Most utilities charge no fee for automatic bank account payments, though credit card payments may carry a processing fee.

What to do if you have an outage

If your power goes out, the first step is to check whether the outage is widespread or just at your home. Look outside to see if your neighbors' lights are on. If the whole block is dark, it is a widespread outage and Exelon is already aware of it. If only your home is dark, the problem may be in your own electrical panel or wiring, and you should call an electrician.

To report an outage or check the status of a known outage, log into your online account, use your utility's mobile app, or call the outage hotline number on your bill. Exelon's outage maps show how many customers are affected and an estimated time for power restoration. During major storms, the company deploys extra crews and updates the map frequently.

If you have medical equipment that depends on electricity — a oxygen concentrator, a refrigerated medication, a powered bed — tell Exelon when you report the outage. The company maintains a list of customers with medical needs and prioritizes their restoration. You can also register for this program in advance through your online account or by calling customer service.

Hardship programs and payment information

If you are struggling to pay your electric bill, your local Exelon utility may offer a hardship program or payment plan. These programs are usually based on your household income and family size. To learn what is available in your area, call your utility's customer service number or visit the utility's website and search for "hardship" or "payment information."

Most Exelon utilities also partner with local nonprofits and government agencies that provide bill payment information. Your utility's website usually lists these partners, or you can call 211 (a free helpline) to find programs in your area. Some programs pay a portion of your bill directly to Exelon; others provide grants or low-interest loans.

If you cannot pay your full bill by the due date, contact your utility before the bill is late. Many utilities will work out a payment plan that lets you pay in installments. If you do not contact them, they may charge a late fee and eventually shut off your service, so reaching out early makes a real difference.

Energy use and conservation tools

Most Exelon utilities offer tools to help you understand and reduce your energy use. If you have a smart meter, your online account may show your use broken down by hour or day, which helps you see when you use the most power. Some utilities also offer a free home energy audit — a representative visits your home, checks for air leaks, inspects your insulation, and suggests improvements.

Exelon utilities often have rebate programs for energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, smart thermostats, and weatherization improvements like insulation or window replacement. The rebates vary by state and change throughout the year, so check your utility's website for current offers. Some programs also offer no-cost or low-cost efficiency upgrades for low-income households.

You can also sign up for email or text alerts about peak demand periods, when electricity is most expensive. During these times, shifting your use — running the dishwasher in the evening instead of afternoon, for example — can lower your bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which Exelon utility serves my address?

The easiest way is to look at your electric bill — the utility name appears at the top. If you do not have a bill, enter your address on Exelon's main website (exeloncorp.com) and it will tell you which subsidiary serves you. You can also call directory information or search online for "[your city] electric utility."

Can I choose a different power supplier if I live in an Exelon service area?

It depends on your state. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and parts of Maryland allow customers to choose their power supplier while still using Exelon's lines for delivery. Illinois, Delaware, and D.C. do not currently offer this choice. Check your utility's website or call customer service to see if you have options in your area.

What should I do if I think my bill is wrong?

Log into your online account and check your meter reading and kWh usage for the billing period. If the numbers look off, compare them to previous months to spot patterns. If you still think there is an error, call your utility's customer service line and ask them to review your account. They can check whether your meter is working correctly and adjust your bill if they find a mistake.

How often will Exelon read my meter?

Most Exelon utilities read meters monthly, either by sending a person to your home or by reading your smart meter remotely. If you have a smart meter, your utility may read it daily or even hourly. You can see your meter reading on your bill or in your online account.

What happens if I do not pay my bill by the due date?

Your utility will charge a late fee and may send you a notice. If you do not pay within a set period (usually 20 to 30 days after the due date), the utility may shut off your service. You can avoid this by calling customer service to set up a payment plan before the bill becomes seriously overdue.