Residential FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is mc2?
MC Squared Energy Services, LLC (mc2), is a licensed Alternative Retail Electricity Supplier (ARES) in the state of Illinois. As a competitive retail electric supplier, mc2 provides energy service to both residential and business customers. The senior management team at mc2 is headquartered in Illinois and has more than 100 years of cumulative experience in the electricity supply business. For more information on mc2, read the “About Us” section of our website.
What is an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES)?
An ARES or retail electricity supplier, is a business that sells electricity to residential and/or commercial customers in a competitive market. To do business in Illinois, an electric supplier must be certified by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and complete the utility’s registration process. mc2 is a licensed ARES in the state of Illinois.
Why is my mc2 price different than the current ComEd rate?
mc2 is able to purchase power on the wholesale market at a price that may potentially be lower than ComEd’s published tariff rates. As a result, we are able to pass the savings on to our customers.
What is the “custom supply price” that mc2 offers?
Unlike most other ARES, mc2s proprietary pricing model allows us to provide each customer with a custom supply-price offer based on their specific electricity usage. Most suppliers use a one-size-fits-all approach and offer everyone the same price, regardless of their individual energy usage. In contrast, mc2, with your permission, downloads your electrical usage profile from ComEd and calculates a specific price for you right on the spot – it only takes about 30 seconds. You make the decision if the price we calculate is the right price for you to make the switch. If we can’t beat ComEd’s current published tariff rate, we'll let you know that too.
What are the steps to follow to select mc2 as my new supplier?
It is not difficult to make the switch. The most important thing to have available is a copy of your current ComEd bill. After providing us with your ComEd account information, we will provide you with a custom price based on your actual usage that we receive from ComEd. After you evaluate the potential savings and plans available, carefully read the details of the plan you've selected. When you have finished completing the online enrollment form and agree to the terms and conditions, we'll process the electricity supply switch with ComEd.
What happens when I switch to mc2?
You will continue to receive reliable electric service through the same transmission and distribution system currently operated by ComEd. Through mc2, you will receive a custom energy-supply price (per kWh), fixed for 12 to 24 months (depending on the length of your agreement), with no signup fees and no early termination fees.
How is mc2 different from ComEd?
mc2 serves as a licensed retail electricity supplier, selling electric power to residential and business customers. mc2 causes bulk power to be delivered to the ComEd system. ComEd, in turn, delivers that power and thus, serves as a local distributor in charge of the physical delivery of power to your residence. In the unlikely event that mc2 were to fail to deliver power, ComEd would not interrupt the supply of power to your meter. ComEd retains all control and responsibility for the distribution wires, substations, poles, and meters; in addition to being responsible for all service issues, such as outages. Residential customers should contact ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 for assistance with meter readings, outages, voltage or other delivery-related concerns.
If I select mc2 as my supplier, do I have to notify ComEd?
No. After you've selected mc2 as your electricity supplier, we'll take care of notifying ComEd on your behalf. There is nothing else you need to do.
When will my new service with mc2 begin?
The switch date coincides with a regularly scheduled ComEd meter read cycle date, and will be identified in the agreement between you and mc2.
How will I be billed?
You will continue to get one bill from ComEd. The mc2 charges for electricity supply and transmission services will be included in the Electricity Supply Service portion of your ComEd bill. ComEd will continue to bill you for Distribution Services and Taxes. Payments are sent to ComEd at the address provided by the utility.
Can I still get my bill electronically from ComEd? Can I stay on Budget Billing?
Yes. Switching to mc2 doesn’t impact your bill options with ComEd including e-bill, automatic bill payment and budget billing. For additional questions on these programs contact ComEd at 1-800-334-7661.
Will I receive confirmation of my switch to mc2?
Yes. mc2 will email you a copy of your MC Squared Electric Supply Agreement and the Terms and Conditions for service. In addition, ComEd will also mail you a confirmation letter indicating they have received notice of your switch to mc2 as your electricity supplier.
Can I choose green power?
Yes. The mc2 100% Green Option provides residents and businesses with the opportunity to support clean energy resources, such as solar and wind. When you enroll in the 100% Green Option, mc2 purchases Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to cover 100% of your electricity supply requirements.
The mc2 Green Option is in addition to our renewable purchase requirements under Section 16-115D of the Illinois Public Utilities Act.
The mc2 Green Option is in addition to our renewable purchase requirements under Section 16-115D of the Illinois Public Utilities Act.
What is a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)?
As defined by Green-e Energy®, electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, is separated into two parts: the electricity or electrical energy produced by a renewable generator and the renewable “attributes” of that generation. These attributes include the tons of greenhouse gas that were avoided by generating electricity from renewable sources instead of conventional fuels, such as coal, nuclear, oil, or gas. These renewable attributes are sold separately as renewable energy certificates (RECs). One REC is issued for each megawatt-hour (MWh) unit of renewable electricity produced. ¹
¹ www.green-e.org
Will ComEd treat me differently once I select mc2 as my supplier?
No. ComEd no longer generates power. All of the power delivered by ComEd comes from other generation companies, and more than 50% is currently provided through an ARES like mc2. Moreover, by statute ComEd must provide the same service to each customer, even if you have chosen an ARES to supply your electricity. ComEd is responsible for the delivery of power and energy to your residence and will continue to respond to service calls and emergencies.
What happens if I have to cancel service with mc2 before the end of the agreement term?
mc2 allows our customers to cancel service and pending enrollments for services provided without a penalty.
Who do I call if I have questions about my bill?
If you have questions related to the delivery or metering portion of your bill, you should call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661. For questions about the supply portion of the bill, call mc2 at 1-855-740-9992. Numbers for both the utility and mc2 can also be found on your ComEd bill.
Who do I call if my power goes out?
ComEd is still responsible for the safe, reliable delivery of the electricity you purchase from mc2. You will continue to call ComEd at 1-800-334-7661 for all delivery issues including outages, voltage problems and distribution emergencies.
What happens at the end of my agreement with mc2?
mc2 will send an electronic renewal notice to your email address no later than 30 days prior to the initial agreement end date. The renewal notice will offer to extend your agreement for one year at a specified market price. You can cancel this renewal offer within 15 days of the renewal notice date. After 15 days, the renewal offer will be deemed accepted, and your current agreement will be amended accordingly.
Can I switch to another supplier or go back to ComEd after I enroll with mc2?
Yes.
Will my mc2 price always be lower than the price that I would have paid ComEd?
At the time that we quote you a custom price, that price will represent a savings from what you would have paid ComEd if ComEd’s rates remained in effect for the entire term of your mc2 service agreement. Because we cannot predict all changes in ComEd rates, we cannot guarantee that your mc2 price will always be less than the equivalent ComEd rate.
The ComEd price for electric supply can vary both seasonally and annually. ComEd’s electric supply rate for the summer months (June through September) is slightly different from the ComEd rate during the non-summer months (October through May). Additionally, ComEd traditionally purchases electric supply once a year, in the spring (May), to set the summer and non-summer rates for 12 months. The current utility electric supply rates are in effect until May 31, 2012.
The ComEd price for electric supply can vary both seasonally and annually. ComEd’s electric supply rate for the summer months (June through September) is slightly different from the ComEd rate during the non-summer months (October through May). Additionally, ComEd traditionally purchases electric supply once a year, in the spring (May), to set the summer and non-summer rates for 12 months. The current utility electric supply rates are in effect until May 31, 2012.
