Smart Home Exhibit at Museum of Science and Industry Showcases ComEd Environmental Programs

CHICAGO, May. 09 /PRNewswire/ --

CHICAGO, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing environmental commitment, ComEd is sponsoring the new Museum of Science and Industry's Smart Home: Green + Wired, Powered by ComEd and Warmed by Peoples Gas exhibit, which showcases the utility's electricity-saving programs for customers and other ways to practice green living. The exhibit is open today through Jan. 4, 2009.

The Smart Home demonstrates the latest offerings in sustainable living and environmentally-friendly technologies and offers Museum patrons simple, practical ways they can incorporate green living into their lifestyle. Guests will go on tours of the 2,500-square-foot, modular and contemporary home, located on the east side of the Museum.

"At ComEd, we are proud to serve as a key sponsor of this innovative exhibit and to partner with the Museum of Science and Industry, one of Chicago's world-class institutions," said Anne Pramaggiore, executive vice president of Customer Operations, Regulatory and External Affairs, ComEd. "By demonstrating some of our 'green' programs at the Smart Home, we can educate our customers about new ways to conserve energy, save money and help the environment."

ComEd environmental programs featured in the Smart Home -- ComEd's Residential Real-Time Pricing allows customers to manage their electricity consumption in response to market conditions. Using a special meter in their homes, customers have the option to buy power on an hourly basis and to reduce usage when prices are high. The Smart Home features two advanced "smart meters" with an LCD display in the kitchen area. One meter captures the current consumption of power for the entire home, and another displays the power generated by its solar panels. These meters monitor the Smart Home's energy use and production minute-by-minute in real time. -- ComEd offers seasonal discounts on compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use up to 75 percent less electricity than equivalent incandescent bulbs, and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing one 60-watt incandescent bulb with a comparable CFL bulb can yield savings of up to $30 over the life of the bulb. CFL bulbs are placed in key locations throughout the Smart Home, saving energy and money. -- The ComEd Net Metering program is available to customers who own or operate a small renewable energy system that generates electricity for the customer's own use, such as solar or wind energy. Customers in the program receive credits to offset future energy consumption when the renewable source exceeds their total consumption in a given month. The Smart Home is an example of how consumers can use solar panels to generate electricity that is used in the home.

People who live in the ComEd service territory can enter the ComEd Home Run Sweepstakes for a chance to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field when the Chicago Cubs play the Philadelphia Phillies on August 28, 2008, along with four field box tickets to the game. Other prizes include $2,500 worth of Energy Star(R) appliances and two bicycles. Fore more information, visit: http://www.msichicago.org/HomeRun now through July 31, 2008.

Additionally, a "buy-one-get-one free" general admission/Smart Home ticket offer is also available to ComEd customers. Customers may redeem this voucher on-site at the museum; however, a same day ticket without a reservation is subject to availability. To make an advance reservation, call (773) 684-1414 and provide the reservation representative with the following MOP Code: 2008165. A service fee of $3.75 per ticket will be charged for advance ticket reservations by phone. This voucher cannot be redeemed through the Museum's online ticketing system. Not valid with any other offer. No cash value and non-transferable. Not valid for parking, Omnimax or other exhibits. The offer is valid for up to two guests per voucher.

The voucher is valid from September 14, 2008 through October 26, 2008. Customers must bring this voucher to the Museum in order to redeem their tickets. Note: A general admission ticket is required to see Smart Home: Green + Wired.

The Smart Home exhibit requires a ticket with a specified entry time. This ticket, which includes general Museum admission, is $23 for adults, $22 for seniors and $14 for children 3-11. Tickets are on sale at http://www.msichicago.org.

Smart Home: Green + Wired, powered by ComEd and warmed by Peoples Gas, is also sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.; Dominick's; and the Motorola Foundation as part of the Museum's 75th Anniversary.

Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation , one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.

About the Museum of Science and Industry

The Museum of Science and Industry's mission is to inspire the inventive genius in everyone by presenting captivating and compelling experiences that are real and educational. The Museum first opened its doors on June 19, 1933. In 2008 -- more than 175 million guests later -- the Museum commemorates its 75th Anniversary with a year-long celebration. Located at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive, the Museum is open every day of the year except December 25. Regular Museum hours are 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Extended summer hours, until 5:30 p.m. each day, will be offered from May 24 to Sept. 1. The Museum offers indoor parking and is accessible by CTA and Metra. The Museum is supported in part through the generosity of the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit the Museum's Web site at http://www.msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414 or (800) GO-TO-MSI outside of the Chicago.