Illinois · Investor-owned utility (electric) · LAST CHECKED 2026-11-07

Commonwealth Edison (ComEd): generator, battery backup & CPAP rules

Service area: Chicago and Northern Illinois (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry and surrounding counties)

Short answer: Meter collars — Accepted. Medical program — Medical Certification. Backup battery program — None found.

Meter collar transfer switches

Accepted

Allowed for devices in ComEd's Catalog of Approved Meter Connection Devices. The March 2026 catalog lists the Tesla Backup Switch, ConnectDER, Enphase IQ Meter Collar, GenerLink and the Briggs & Stratton Symphony II transfer switch. No Generac collar is listed.

Generator and battery disconnect requirements

ComEd requires an external disconnect switch on services with distributed energy resources, except single-phase self-contained 120 V and 120/240 V services rated 200 A or below — so typical homes are exempt.

Gas meter upgrades for standby generators

Gas utility: Nicor Gas (suburbs) / Peoples Gas (Chicago)

No published fee. Nicor asks customers to report added gas load through a service request. Ask your gas utility for a quote.

Estimate your gas load with our gas meter calculator and read how gas meter sizing works.

Medical program for CPAP, BiPAP and oxygen users

Program
Medical Certification
What it provides
A certificate from a doctor or local Board of Health can stop disconnection for 60 days and comes with a payment arrangement. There is no bill discount.
CPAP / BiPAP
No device list; you qualify if a physician or local Board of Health certifies that disconnection would create or worsen a medical emergency.
Renewal
A new certificate is available if none was used in the past 12 months, or once the balance from the last certificate is paid.

Backup battery or generator programs

Program
None found
What it provides
We found no ComEd backup battery or generator program for medical customers.

Frequently asked questions

Does ComEd allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?

Accepted. Allowed for devices in ComEd's Catalog of Approved Meter Connection Devices. The March 2026 catalog lists the Tesla Backup Switch, ConnectDER, Enphase IQ Meter Collar, GenerLink and the Briggs & Stratton Symphony II transfer switch. No Generac collar is listed.

Does ComEd have a program for customers who use a CPAP or other medical equipment?

Medical Certification: A certificate from a doctor or local Board of Health can stop disconnection for 60 days and comes with a payment arrangement. There is no bill discount. No device list; you qualify if a physician or local Board of Health certifies that disconnection would create or worsen a medical emergency.

Does ComEd offer backup batteries or generator rebates for medical customers?

We did not find a current backup battery or generator program for medical customers at ComEd. We found no ComEd backup battery or generator program for medical customers.

How do I get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator in the ComEd area?

Nicor Gas (suburbs) / Peoples Gas (Chicago): No published fee. Nicor asks customers to report added gas load through a service request. Ask your gas utility for a quote.