Today, Wednesday, 9/6/2023, is a scheduled Energy Savings Day. 

All PeakRewards Air Conditioning program participants will be cycled up to 50% from 2 pm – 6 pm on Wednesday, September 6 with air conditioners returning to normal operation within 1 hour of the event. If you would like to override cycling during the Energy Savings Day, please call the customer hotline at 888.309.PEAK (7325).If you are enrolled in the Connected Rewards program, you will have your thermostat raised up to 4 degrees between the hours of 2 pm – 6 pm. While we recommend participating in the full event for maximum savings, you remain in control of your thermostat and can opt out by changing the temperature on your thermostat.  

Learn more about Energy Savings Days here.

PeakRewardsSM Air Conditioning Program

BGE’s PeakRewards Air Conditioning program helps prevent the need for additional power plants, keep down the overall cost of electricity and ease the burden on Maryland’s electricity delivery system as the state’s population continues to grow. Plus, participants receive up to $100 in BGE bill credits each summer (June – September).

As of April 1, 2020, the PeakRewards Air Conditioning (A/C) program will no longer accept new participants. All current participants will either remain at their current cycling level or have the option to choose to reduce their current level

How does it work?

During periods of high electricity demand, BGE will cycle participants’ air conditioning on and off using a professionally-installed programmable thermostat or outdoor switch on their air conditioning units. This is known as cycling. These cycling events typically occur in the summer from June through September but can happen during other times of the year. In exchange for their participation, customers receive $50 to $100 in bill credits every summer (June – September) depending on their cycling participation level (50%, 75% or 100%).

ecobee thermostat

The PeakRewards program is completely voluntary and is open to all BGE residential customers with central air conditioning or an electric heat pump in good working order, regardless of their choice of electricity supplier. By participating in PeakRewards, you are taking a smart and easy step to ease the burden on Maryland’s existing electricity delivery system and reduce the need for additional power plants. You’re also helping to protect the environment by lowering power plant emissions, reducing our carbon footprint and taking advantage of energy-saving solutions brought to you by EmPOWER Maryland.

What are emergency cycling events?

When regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing supply, BGE may be required by PJM, the Regional Transmission Operator for the Mid-Atlantic region, to activate an emergency cycling event. This type of event is usually called to avoid potential brownouts and rolling blackouts. During emergency cycling events, PeakRewards Air Conditioning program participants will be cycled up to their chosen cycling participation level (50%, 75% or 100%). You will not be able to override participation in emergency cycling events. And after the emergency event ends, there will be a transition period until full operation of your unit is restored.

What are emergency cycling events?

If you are a PeakRewards Air Conditioning program participant, you are guaranteed to receive your monthly PeakRewards credit (June – September). If you choose to participate in an Energy Savings Day, you can earn a $1.25 bill credit for every kilowatt hour saved compared to your typical usage.

happy family plays with their dog on a couch

If you participate in both, you will receive whichever credit is higher each month. Additionally, your PeakRewards device will be cycled up to 50% on Energy Savings Days, regardless of your chosen cycling level. You are allowed two overrides on Energy Savings Days.

Choose Convenience

BGE residential customers enrolled in the PeakRewards program may use Online Access to view and manage their switch and thermostat settings 24/7, from anywhere they have access to the Internet.

Visit BGE.com and sign in to your account. After you sign in, from your “My Dashboard” page, scroll down to “Programs” and click the “PeakRewards” link. From there, you will be able to access the following PeakRewards features:

  • Track Cycling Event Status and History
  • Set and Save Thermostat Schedules
  • Temporarily Adjust Thermostat Settings
  • Change Device Label(s)
  • Check Enrollment Status

Do your serial numbers match up?

To ensure your PeakRewards programmable thermostat or outdoor switch is hooked up to help you save, check the serial number of your installed device and make sure it matches BGE’s records.

Still having trouble programming your thermostat?

Questions?

Check out our frequently asked questions page.