Frequently Asked Questions

What is PECO WINDsm?
PECO WINDsm is 100 percent pollution-free, locally-generated electricity now available for purchase by PECO electric customers. PECO WINDsm is generated by wind farms right here in Pennsylvania by state-of-the-art modern wind turbines. The wind energy is delivered directly to the electricity grid that supplies most of the homes and businesses in the mid-Atlantic region. By participating in the PECO WINDsm program, you are supporting this new, renewable source of electricity.

Is PECO WINDsm appropriate for businesses?

Small businesses have recognized that investing in local wind power has created more jobs in rural Pennsylvania, has bolstered local support for their business, and has protected the local air and water. In reality, despite common misconceptions, wind power is cost competitive with current energy production techniques, and the cost of wind continues to decline, 80% over the last 20 years! In fact, when human health costs are considered, costs that are currently the burden of asthmatics and people afflicted by other respiratory issues, wind power may be the more economical choice. Please become a local hero. Become a Wind Champion!

For how long will I need to be committed to purchasing PECO WINDsm?
Your participation in the PECO WINDsm program will continue until cancellation. Should you choose to discontinue your commitment to wind, simply notify PECO WINDsm (1-866-WIND-321) that you no longer wish to participate in the program and the additional cost will be removed from future electric bills.

How does wind energy get to my home or business?
The regular electric grid that currently delivers power to your home or business will still provide your electricity. You do not require any new wires, meters or other infrastructure. Think of the electric grid as a giant bathtub being filled with electricity from many different faucets. Each faucet is a different generation source, like nuclear, coal, and wind. Every time you turn on a light switch, you drain a little electricity from the tub. Although buying wind does not mean that electricity is being delivered straight from the windmill to your home, it does mean that more of the electricity being put into the grid comes from wind, rather than from other dirtier generation sources. By supporting PECO WINDsm you are supporting wind farms in Pennsylvania and are reducing the need to generate electricity from "other" energy sources.

Would I actually get wind-generated energy or am I just making a contribution to wind development?
You are actually purchasing wind energy. Exelon, PECO's parent company, has a power purchase agreement for 89 megawatts of wind power from Pennsylvania wind farms. The more customers participating in the PECO WINDsm program, the more wind PECO will buy. The more customers that sign up, the more wind farms are built in Pennsylvania.

Will my lights go out if the wind is not blowing?
No. There is absolutely no impact on reliability or service. PECO will still deliver the electricity you use each day. (The only difference is that some of that electricity will come from a different, more environmentally friendly place -- a wind farm.)

Who do I call if the power goes out?
PECO. By signing up for Wind Energy there is no difference in your service provider. PECO will continue to provide the quality customer care, emergency service, power line maintenance, and repair you have always depended on.

Will my current electric bill be affected by my purchase of wind?
When you sign up for PECO WINDsm, the additional cost will be added to your monthly PECO electric bill.

Will there be a windmill in my backyard?
No, PECO WINDsm energy is generated at commercial wind farms here in Pennsylvania - two in southwestern PA and one in northeastern PA. These wind farms create electricity and deliver it directly to the same electric grid as conventional sources of electricity.

How is this different from just making a donation?
The cost associated with PECO WINDsm represents the difference between the cost of conventionally generated electricity and the higher cost of wind-generated electricity. The premium goes back to the wind farm to help them operate cost effectively. You are paying for real energy production. When you sign up for PECO WINDsm, you are paying for a specified number of kilowatt-hours of wind generation to be added to the local electric grid.

Can I participate if I buy my energy from another provider?
No. This program is offered only to PECO customers.

This sounds great, how do I sign up?
Signing up to receive PECO WINDsm is easy! Simply visit www.cleanair.org. Then click Enroll to be transferred to PECO's secure online enrollment form. Or, you can call Thurm Brendlinger at 215.567.4004, ext. 104. You will need your twelve-digit PECO account number in order to sign up.

What role did Clean Air Council have in making this program available?
Clean Air Council strongly supported the recent proposal to allow PECO to market wind energy to its customers. Today, the Council is committed to assuring the success of this unique wind offering. The stakes are extremely high. If the marketing of wind energy to residential customers succeeds in the PECO territory, the chances are good that it will be duplicated elsewhere in the Commonwealth. The Council encourages all PECO customers to purchase PECO WINDsm. If there is only one thing you and your family are going to do this year to help the environment, this is it - buy wind energy!

Ready to enroll? Click here.