BGE encourages customers to join in the effort to recognize this global effort

BALTIMORE (March 18, 2016) - BGE is encouraging customers to power down in celebration of Earth Hour, 8:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 19, and join millions across the world in this global effort. Earth Hour is the world’s largest annual voluntary environmental action event to raise awareness about climate change.

In addition to turning off lights during Earth Hour, BGE customers can take a number of steps to save energy and money and the environment year round through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program©, including: 

• Schedule a Quick Home Energy Check-up at www.BGESmartenergy.com with an energy efficiency professional to evaluate insulation, heating and air cooling systems, lighting, appliances and more; 
• Use a programmable thermostat; 
• Caulk and weather strip windows and doors; 
• Turn lights off when you leave a room; 
• Close blinds/shades/drapes in the summer and leave them open in the winter; 
• Use energy-efficient appliances: When shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, look for the ENERGY STAR® label, and purchase the most affordable energy efficient unit.

Before customers turn their lights back on this Earth Hour, they should take a moment to replace energy-wasting incandescent light bulbs with new LEDs (light emitting diode) or CFLs (compact fluorescent lamp), which typically use 75-90 percent less energy. LEDs last about 25 times longer, while CFLs last about 10 times longer. Through BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program, customers can receive instant in-store discounts on select ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs and CFLs.

BGE’s sister utilities, ComEd in Chicago and PECO in Philadelphia, also are participating in recognizing this global event.

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