If you are a PeakRewards Air Conditioning program participant, your PeakRewards device will be cycled up to 50% on Energy Savings Days during the duration of the event, returning to normal operations within one hour of the event end time, regardless of your chosen cycling level. You are allowed two overrides on Energy Savings Days per calendar year. However, during Emergency Events, you will be cycled up to your chosen level (50%, 75% or 100%) and overrides will not be permitted. If you choose to participate in an Energy Savings Day and reduce your electricity usage beyond the electricity reduction from the cycling of your air conditioner, you can earn a bill credit of $1.25 for every kilowatt-hour saved compared to your typical usage on days with similar weather.
As a PeakRewards Air Conditioning program participant, you will receive the monthly PeakRewards credit from June through September, at a minimum. However, if your participation in an Energy Savings Day results in higher earnings, you will receive the higher credit for the month.
On the Energy Savings Day, “SAVINGS” will be displayed across the top of your thermostat or the light on your outdoor switch will glow red when you are being cycled.
On Energy Savings Days, Connected Rewards participants will have their thermostat setpoint increased by a maximum of four degrees from 2-6pm. This helps to reduce peak electric demand and keep down electricity costs for all customers. Before the event begins, Connected Rewards participants may have their home precooled by up to three degrees to ensure it stays comfortable during the event.
During Energy Savings Days, Connected Rewards participants that reduce their energy usage can receive a bill credit of $1.25 for every kilowatt-hour saved compared to their typical usage on days with similar weather. They will also receive their annual Connected Rewards $50 gift card (per thermostat) at the end of each summer.
BGE does not send specific alerts to Connected Rewards participants before Adjustment Events, but participants can expect to receive a notification ahead of Energy Savings Days. During events, participants may also notice an energy savings message on their thermostat screen or within the thermostat app on their mobile device.
Customers can opt out of any event simply by adjusting the temperature on their thermostat. However, to ensure central Maryland's peak energy is managed effectively, we ask that you participate throughout the entire event.
PeakRewards customers are allowed two overrides on Energy Savings Days per calendar year. Overrides may be scheduled in advance or on an Energy Savings Day by logging into PeakRewards Online Access through BGE.com/MyAccount or by calling 1-888-309-7325.
BGE is required to activate the PeakRewards program when the peak demand for electricity is expected to surpass supply to avoid potential brownouts or blackouts in the area. If an Emergency Event is called on an Energy Savings Day, you will be cycled to your chosen participation level (50%, 75%, or 100%). You may not override your participation during an Emergency Event.
If an emergency cycling event occurs on a day you selected an override, the override will be canceled and you will be cycled up to your chosen cycling participation level (50%, 75% or 100%) during the event. During an emergency event the following tools will be temporarily unavailable via PeakRewards Online Access:
For more information about the PeakRewards program, visit BGEsavings.com.
