BGE customers can drop off working air conditioning units to be recycled this weekend at two convenient locations in Dundalk and Catonsville

BALTIMORE, (April 30, 2014) - Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) will host its second annual room air conditioning unit recycling event this weekend at two locations in Baltimore County. BGE residential customers can receive a $25 reward from the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program for dropping off their working (cooling) air conditioning units to be recycled. The event will be held over two days, Saturday, May 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the parking lots at the Sears of the Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk and h.h.gregg on Baltimore National Pike in Catonsville. The event will be held rain or shine and BGE representatives will be on hand to unload air conditioning units directly from customers’ vehicles. Last year the event collected more than 400 old room air conditioning units for recycling, equating to the energy savings of more than 56,000 kWh and the recycling of over 1,600 lbs of plastic, 26,000 lbs of ferrous metal and 4,000 lbs of non-ferrous metal.

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program rewards customers with $25 per unit recycled, for up to two room air conditioning units per household. Units must be in working (cooling) condition to be eligible. Customers will receive a check for the recycling reward amount - $25 for one unit or $50 for two units recycled - approximately four weeks after the event. More information is available at BGESmartEnergy.com/RecycleMyAC or by calling 866.898.1901.

“By recycling an older room air conditioning unit and replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR® certified model, our customers will increase energy efficiency in their homes, helping them to save energy and money throughout the summer months,” said Ruth C. Kiselewich, director of demand management programs for BGE. “A new ENERGY STAR certified air conditioner can save approximately $90 in energy costs over the lifetime of the unit. Not only will customers save money on their energy costs, but they’ll also help to prevent old appliances from entering landfills, where they can release harmful toxins and greenhouse gases into the environment.”

In addition to the $25 recycling reward, the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program offers $25 mail-in rebates for new ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioning units. Both locations participating in the recycling drop-off will have qualifying models available for purchase during the event. An ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioning unit uses about 15 percent less energy than a conventional model.

BGE also offers a $50 reward for recycling old working refrigerators or freezers through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program. To participate, customers can contact BGE to schedule a pickup, and BGE will haul away the old refrigerator or freezer at no additional cost. There is a limit of two refrigerators or freezers per household. Appliances must be in working (cooling) condition and measure 10 to 30 cubic feet, which is standard for most refrigerators and freezers. Room air conditioning units may also be recycled through this program, but only if the customer is recycling a refrigerator or freezer at the same time. Appointments are required and available through BGERecycleMyOldFridge.com or by calling 866.898.1901.

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About the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program is a suite of programs that enable all customers to control energy use, leading to more efficient use of electricity and energy cost savings. 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 building additional 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.

About BGE:

BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2013 revenues of approximately $24.9 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.