When adverse weather affects our service area, BGE is prepared. If you experience a power outage or need to report a downed wire, please call 877.778.2222. BGE asks all customers, including those with smart meters, to report their outage. Outages may also be reported online, by texting OUT to MYBGE (69243), and via BGE’s free mobile app available today at the Apple Store or GooglePlay. BGE crews work as safely and quickly as possible to restore power.
For Immediate Release
Contact
Justin Mulcahy
justin.mulcahy@bge.com
May 18 marks the annual test of cycling of air conditioning and/or electric water heaters for PeakRewards participants
BALTIMORE, May 16, 2016 – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) today announced that it will perform an annual preseason test on May 18 of the systems that cycle the central air conditioners and electric water heaters of customers voluntarily enrolled in the PeakRewards programs. PeakRewards participants receive bill credits by allowing their central air conditioner and/or electric water heater to be cycled during periods of peak electricity usage. Last summer, PeakRewards participants received nearly $23 million in bill credits.
“Each year, BGE carefully reviews all aspects of the PeakRewards program in an effort to continuously improve our system operations and communications with our customers,” said Rob Biagiotti, vice president and chief customer officer, BGE. “This annual test helps ensure our systems and customers are prepared for the summer when cycling events are likely to occur.”
PeakRewards participants have received a letter informing them of the pre-season event and that their central air conditioner (A/C) will be cycled up to their chosen level: 50, 75 or 100 percent. Customers enrolled in the BGE PeakRewards Electric Water Heater program and the Energy Saver Water Heater Switch program will also be part of this pre-season cycling event. During the event, program participants will have power to their water heater interrupted and no additional hot water will be produced for the duration of the event. Neither PeakRewards A/C nor Electric Water Heater customers will be able to override participation.
PeakRewards participants are notified of cycling events through a number of channels. Notifications will be made by email for participants who have an email address on file with BGE. Participants are also encouraged to sign up to receive event notifications by SMS text message. SMS text messages are an easy way to receive immediate notification about cycling events directly to a mobile phone.
To update contact information and notification preferences, customers should visit BGE.com/MyAccount. Information about cycling events will also be posted to the PeakRewards Event Central website, BGEsavings.com/PeakRewardsEvent. To minimize the impact, the pre-season event has been scheduled to coincide with mild temperatures between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on a weekday when many customers are less likely to be at home.
The more than 325,000 customers who participate in PeakRewards help reduce the likelihood of power outages when electricity use is highest—normally summer days with extreme temperatures. During an event, PeakRewards participants reduce BGE’s system load by approximately 417 MWs each hour; the equivalent amount of energy produced by a medium-sized power plant. For more information on how to enroll in PeakRewards, visit BGEsavings.com or call 1-888-309-PEAK(7325).
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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation’s first gas utility, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility. Headquartered in Baltimore, BGE delivers power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural 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. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.