Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
When temperatures are extreme, the demand for electricity rises. Peak demand usually occurs on very hot or cold weekdays when homes and businesses are using high amounts of electricity for heating and cooling. The Connected Rewards program helps reduce high electricity — or peak — demand. Reducing peak demand can help reduce the need for additional power plants, keep electricity costs low, and ease the burden on Maryland’s electricity grid.
Connected Rewards is a great choice for customers who can safely tolerate small temperature changes or are not home when adjustment events typically occur. While participants can opt out of any adjustment event simply by changing the temperature on their thermostat, this program is not recommended for customers who have medical or health conditions, are elderly, or who may have small children or pets at home.
To see a list of qualifying thermostats, visit the Eligibility page.
You can find the terms and conditions for all thermostat providers in the list of qualifying thermostats.
Your connection/reconnection instructions vary depending on the type of thermostat you have. Please click here to find your thermostats’ directions.
Enrollment
To be eligible for Connected Rewards, participants must:
- Be an active BGE residential electric customer
- Use an eligible internet-connected (Wi-Fi) thermostat for cooling
- Have an AMI/Smart meter installed at the location of the active account associated with the devices being enrolled
- Agree to terms and conditions as outlined by each thermostat manufacturer
- Cooling system must not be currently enrolled in PeakRewards
- Allow BGE to make small thermostat adjustments of up to 4 degrees on high-energy usage days
Customers would be ineligible for the Connected Rewards program if they:
- Do not have a qualifying Wi-Fi thermostat
- Do not receive electric delivery service from BGE
- Do not have an AMI/Smart meter installed at the location the device is installed
- Live in a multifamily property that is owned by a property manager
- Live in a landlord-owned property with an automatic change agreement on the account
To enroll in the Connected Rewards program visit https://connect.connectedsavings.com/#!/getdevice?campaignId=384 and select your thermostat. Then click the “Sign Up!” button to go to your thermostat’s website, where you will follow simple steps to enroll. Once BGE confirms your eligibility, you will be enrolled in the program. You will receive a notification on your eligibility status in your account’s registered email.
Adjustment Events
Depending on your thermostat provider, you may receive a text, email or mobile app notification in the hours leading up to an adjustment event. Some thermostats may display a symbol notifying you that an adjustment event is taking place.
At the start of a non-emergency* adjustment event, your thermostat will be automatically adjusted up to 4 degrees from the current thermostat setpoint. The adjustment will typically last no more than six hours on non-holiday weekdays. Once the temperature adjustment is over, your thermostat will return to its normal setpoint and/or schedule. In some cases, your thermostat may be adjusted up to 3 degrees before an adjustment event to pre-condition your home. You can opt out of a non-emergency event at any time from your mobile device, web browser or thermostat.
*During an emergency event, regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing regional supply and BGE is required to activate the Connected Rewards program. This type of event is usually called to avoid potential service interruptions. During an emergency event and the transition period after the event, you may not have the ability to override your program participation.
While we recommend participating in all adjustment events, we understand that life isn’t always predictable. At no point during a non-emergency adjustment event will you lose control of your thermostat. Need to change the temperature for any reason? Easily opt out of any adjustment event by adjusting the temperature from your mobile device, web browser or thermostat. Opting out will not remove you from Connected Rewards or forfeit your prepaid card as long as you participate in a majority of adjustment events.
Adjustment events will only affect the temperature by a few degrees, with minimal impact on comfort. However, you can easily opt out of an adjustment event at any time, and you will retain control of all your thermostat functions.
For most devices, when you opt out of the pre-cool, you are also opting out of the adjustment events. If you own an ecobee device, you must also opt out of the adjustment event.
Yes, Connected Rewards participants will still receive their $50 prepaid card if no adjustment events occur during the season.
More Information
Send an email to bgeconnectedrewards@icf.com requesting to end your participation in the Connected Rewards program. Unenrolling from the program will end your participation for all enrolled thermostats and you will not receive the annual participation incentive.
If you are experiencing issues with your thermostat, please contact your thermostat manufacturer for guidance.
Yes, BGE residential customers with smart meters can still earn bill credits by voluntarily reducing their electricity usage on designated Energy Savings Days in exchange for credits on their electric bill. Your participation in Connected Rewards will not affect any bill credits you received on Energy Savings Days.
Adjustment events will only affect the temperature by a few degrees, with minimal impact on comfort. However, you can easily opt out of an adjustment event at any time, and you will retain control of all your thermostat functions.
When a limited-income customer signs up for the Connected Rewards program, BGE will install the new smart thermostat at no out-of-pocket cost to the customer, provided the thermostat is in a brand new, unopened package and that the thermostat is compatible with the program. In addition, with BGE’s smart thermostat rebate, they can also receive $75 for the purchase of a new smart thermostat. Click here for more information.
BGE is happy to answer any questions related to Connected Rewards. Please email bgeconnectedrewards@icf.com and a representative will get back to you.
