Check Out Connected RewardsSM – BGE's New Rewards Program
Check Out Connected RewardsSM – BGE's New Rewards Program
As of April 1, 2020, the PeakRewards Air Conditioning (A/C) program no longer accepts new participants. But don’t worry! If you have been unenrolled in the PeakRewards program or are looking to enroll in an energy rewards program, the Connected Rewards program is for you!
What is Connected RewardsSM?
During days when the weather is extreme, the demand for electricity is especially high. This can put a strain on the electric grid. To help prevent possible power interruptions on these days and to keep the cost of energy low, BGE may activate the Connected Rewards program.
By joining Connected Rewards, you can help reduce energy use on days when the weather is extreme. There is no effort required during these events and BGE will automatically adjust your thermostat temperature by no more than four degrees to help lower energy demand during peak hours.
Connected Rewards is free to join, and in exchange for enrolling, you’ll get $50 off a new smart thermostat through the BGE Marketplace. For every year you participate, you will also receive a $50 annual Visa e-gift card for each thermostat enrolled in the program.
How it works
Enroll your smart thermostat, then check your eligibility
Enroll your smart thermostat in the Connected Rewards program, then check your BGE account eligibility for your enrollment bonus and instant rebates.
Don’t have a smart thermostat? No problem! You can purchase your smart thermostat here. If your BGE account is eligible, your discounts will be automatically applied to your cart. Just go through the checkout process to sign up and save!
Perform quick-and-easy installation
Once your smart thermostat is installed and connected to Wi-Fi, your enrollment will be complete, and your smart thermostat will immediately begin analyzing your routine and preferred settings.
Start saving energy
When experiencing extreme weather and energy demand is at its highest, the Connected Rewards program will be activated and an Adjustment Event will be scheduled to help lower energy demand. During the adjustment event, your smart thermostat temperature will be modified by no more than four degrees to help reduce energy demand during peak hours.
Connected Rewards vs. PeakRewards
The PeakRewards program cycles participants’ air conditioning on and off using a professionally-installed programmable thermostat or outdoor switch on their air conditioning units during periods of high electricity demand. In exchange for participation, customers receive bill credits every summer (June – September) depending on their cycling participation level (50%, 75% or 100%).
The Connected Rewards program makes brief, limited adjustments of up to 4 degrees on enrolled thermostats when electricity demand is unusually high. Typically, adjustment events occur on weekdays when extreme temperatures peak. To help keep you and your family comfortable, events usually won’t occur on weekends or holidays.
See the chart below to compare the two programs. Note: If you are a PeakRewards customer and choose to enroll in Connected Rewards, you will no longer receive bill credits through the PeakRewards program, as these are two separate programs.
| PeakRewards | Connected Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Device | A programmable thermostat or a switch on your outdoor air conditioning unit (installed by BGE) | A smart thermostat that controls your central air conditioning (not installed by BGE) |
| What happens during adjustment events (periods of peak electric demand in the summer) | BGE will cycle your air conditioning on and off for a period of time each hour, based on your participation level | BGE will raise the temperature on your thermostat up to 4 degrees |
| What you receive in exchange for participating | Bill credits from June through September | A $50 Visa eGift card at enrollment and a $50 annual eGift card (per thermostat) each year you participate |
| Program period | June through September | May through October |
Eligibility requirements
- Be an active BGE residential electric customer
- Install the smart thermostat in your household and use it to control your central A/C
- Keep the smart thermostat connected to an active Wi-Fi network
- Have eligible cooling equipment installed in your home
- Not be enrolled in another demand response program (i.e. PeakRewards) on the same A/C compressor
Which thermostats qualify for the program?
See below for eligible models, as well as the terms and conditions for each provider.
| Provider | Eligible Models |
|---|---|
|
ecobee Terms & Conditions |
New enrollment with ecobee thermostats is currently unavailable. Existing customers may still be using ecobee3, ecobee3 Lite, ecobee4, ecobee Smart, ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control |
|
Emerson Terms & Conditions |
SensiTM Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat, Sensi Touch Wi-Fi Thermostat |
|
Honeywell Home Terms & Conditions |
Wi-Fi Smart Color Thermostat, Wi-Fi 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, Wi-Fi 9000 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, 9000 Smart Thermostat, 7-Day Programmable Smart Thermostat, VisionPro 8000 Smart Thermostat, Round Smart Thermostat, T5+ Smart Thermostat, T6 Pro Smart Thermostat, T9 Smart Thermostat, T10 Smart Thermostat |
|
Google Nest Terms & Conditions |
Google Nest Thermostat, Google Nest Learning Thermostat, Google Nest Thermostat E |
|
Amazon.com Terms & Conditions |
Amazon Smart Thermostat |
Get Connected
Are you ready to claim your $50 reward for helping keep energy costs down and protect the environment? Click the button below to sign up! Your browser will open a new page at enrollmythermostat.com/bge where you’ll answer a few questions to confirm your eligibility, then select your thermostat to finish enrolling or pick out your new smart thermostat if you don’t already have one.
