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Residential customers can receive $25 rewards for turning in old room A/C units and dehumidifiers.

BALTIMORE, MD (May 20, 2022) — Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) announced that its Smart Energy Savers Program® will host a recycling drop-off event this weekend in Columbia, Maryland. During the event, BGE residential customers can drop off qualifying old, but still working, appliances for recycling and receive a $25 reward per unit. Customers can recycle up to four small room air conditioning units and/or dehumidifiers per household from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Columbia Association Aquatics Office, located at 9450 Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046.

"Events like this provide customers with a quick, easy and environmentally friendly way to dispose of their old and inefficient appliances," said Eric Riopko, manager of residential energy efficient programs for BGE. "By removing these older units from the energy grid and properly recycling them, event participants help realize several benefits, including reducing energy use in their own homes. Their participation also contributes to reducing the emission of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, ultimately helping the state of Maryland shrink its carbon footprint."

Since 2013, BGE customers have recycled more than 3,872 units through these events, which translates to energy savings of 956,659 kWh and the equivalent of 235 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled.

Rain or shine, representatives will be on hand to safely unload the old appliances from customers' vehicles. Units must be in working condition to be eligible. Customers will receive a check in the mail approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the event. More information is available at BGESmartEnergy.com/RecycleMyAC or by calling 866.898.1901.

Separately, residential customers also can receive a $50 reward for recycling old, working refrigerators and freezers when they schedule a home pickup through BGE's Smart Energy Savers Program. To participate, customers can request a no-contact pickup, and BGE will collect and haul away up to three refrigerators and/or freezers—and up to four room A/C units and/or dehumidifiers at the same time—for recycling per residential household from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2023. Appliances must be in working (cooling) condition and measure 10 to 30 cubic feet, which is the standard size for most refrigerators and freezers. Room air conditioning units and dehumidifiers also may be recycled through this program, but only if picked up at the same time as an eligible refrigerator or freezer. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at BGESmartEnergy.com or by calling 866.898.1901.

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program is a suite of programs that enable customers to control energy use, leading to more efficient use of electricity and lowering energy bills from where they otherwise would be. Collectively, the programs help contain the cost of energy and improve reliability. The programs also help to reduce peak demand and slow the growth in energy consumption to lessen the need for more power plants. BGE offers energy-saving solutions for renters, homeowners, large and small business customers, nonprofits and institutional customers. More information is available at BGESmartEnergy.com. These programs support the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act.

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