PeakRewards is designed to help ease the “peak” demand for electricity in the Mid-Atlantic region. It is part of the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program^®, which helps you conserve energy, save money and protect the environment. The PeakRewards A/C program gives you a professionally installed outside air conditioner switch or programmable thermostat. These technologies allow BGE to cycle the compressor on your central air conditioner or electric heat pump during periods of peak electric demand, typically during the summer months when temperatures may be high. In exchange for allowing BGE to cycle your compressor, you will receive credits on your summer BGE bills every year in which you are enrolled. You’ll also get a matching bonus during your first year of participation for having a new PeakRewards device installed in your home.

Emergency Events
During an emergency event, regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing regional supply, and BGE is required by the regional grid manager, PJM, to activate its’ PeakRewards program. This type of event is usually called to avoid potential brownouts and rolling blackouts area-wide. A/C program participants will be cycled up to their chosen cycling level – 50%, 75% or 100%, and Electric Water Heater program participants will be cycled at 100%.

Non-Emergency Events
On occasion, BGE may activate its PeakRewards program when regional demand is not very close to surpassing regional supply, but the wholesale price of electricity is very high. These events may occur on a localized level restricted to certain areas within the BGE territory or they may occur across the entire BGE territory. Activating the PeakRewards program during these non-emergency events puts downward pressure on energy prices and increases the reliability of the distribution system. For non-emergency events, A/C program participants will be cycled up to 50% and Electric Water Heater program participants will be cycled at 100%.

The PeakRewards (A/C) program offers:

Equipment Choices — you can choose an outside air conditioner switch or the latest technology, an in-home, programmable thermostat. The equipment is professionally installed by a technician at no out-of-pocket cost.

Cycling Choices — Choose from:

*A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits for their participation in the program. As a “move-in” customer, you are currently enrolled at the 50% cycling level, the lowest level of credits and cycling. However, “move-in” customers are not eligible to receive the first-year bonus credits since the bonus is intended for the initial enrollment and installation of a device at a customer’s home.

** Credits are subject to change in future years. Terms and Conditions.

Credit Choices

Override Choices — you have the opportunity to override up to two non-emergency events each summer. To override an event, simply login to your PeakRewards Online Access account or call the PeakRewards customer service hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). During an emergency event and the transition out of an emergency event, you cannot override and will be cycled up to your chosen level.

Online Access — you have access to your thermostat(s) or switch(es) 24/7 with PeakRewards Online Access. If you have a PeakRewards thermostat, this feature allows you to manage your thermostat schedule, view your cycling history, view your device status from anywhere you have access to a web browser. To get started with PeakRewards Online Access, click here.

Electricity usage fluctuates constantly due to weather conditions, commercial and industrial business hours and residential electricity usage. During the summer months, demand is usually greater as electricity is used to cool homes and businesses, especially during weekday afternoons. “Peak electric demand” refers to the point of highest electricity use over a certain period of time. Throughout the day, BGE continually monitors electricity demand to ensure reliable delivery and minimize costs.

Yes. PeakRewards and Budget Billing are separate programs and BGE customers may participate in both. Budget Billing spreads your annual BGE bills evenly throughout the year. PeakRewards gives you bill credits on your summer BGE bills, after the budget billing amount is applied. For more information about Budget Billing click here.

BGE residential customers with central air conditioning or an electric heat pump in good working order can qualify for the A/C program. The program is available to all BGE electric customers regardless of their electricity supplier. For more information on electric choice, click here.

If you move into a home with an existing PeakRewards programmable thermostat or outdoor switch you are enrolled in the PeakRewards program. You are automatically enrolled at the 50% cycling level and may be cycled up to 50% for emergency and non-emergency events. You will see summer PeakRewards credits on your BGE bill from June to September. At any time, you can choose to increase your cycling level to receive higher bill credits or ask to be removed from the program. A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits if they continue to participate in the program, but will not receive the first-year matching bonus. The first-year matching bonus credits are only intended for the initial customer enrollment and device installation.

If you have questions about the program, call the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

As a new PeakRewards A/C customer getting the thermostat or switch installed, you can expect to see your bill credits applied once the installation is complete. Once it is complete, you will receive bill credits spread equally over the four-month period of June through September, each year as follows:

• 50% cycling: $12.50/month for a total of $50
• 75% cycling: $18.75/month for a total of $75
• 100% cycling: $25/month for a total of $100

*Four months of matching bonus credits will be issued on the same schedule as detailed above for the first year of participation. If the PeakRewards programmable thermostat or outdoor switch is installed during the summer months (June through September), the credit will be applied toward all subsequent summer months. For example, if installed in July, before the meter reading, you will receive three months of credits for July, August and September, and will continue each June through September thereafter.

If the PeakRewards programmable thermostat or outdoor switch is installed after your meter reading, you will receive credits starting the following month. Credits will not be prorated based upon the timing of the enrollment and installation.

*A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits for their participation in the program. As a “move-in” customer, you are currently enrolled at the 50% cycling level, the lowest level of credits and cycling. However, “move-in” customers are not eligible to receive the first-year bonus credits since the bonus is intended for the initial enrollment and installation of a device at a customer’s home.

** Credits are subject to change in future years. Terms and Conditions.

If you are a renter, click here for more information

If you are a property owner or manager, click here for more information.

When you participate in this program, you will begin receiving money—saving bill credits in the first summer billing cycle (June through September) following the installation of your PeakRewards programmable thermostat or outdoor switch. *During the first year of participation, these credits will be doubled on your energy bills for June through September, as an enrollment bonus for customers for whom the thermostat or switch is installed.

In addition to bill credits, the program will help reduce overall demand for electricity in the Mid-Atlantic region, which will result in electricity prices that are lower than they otherwise would have been. If you choose the programmable thermostat, you can save up to $890 over the next five years.

* A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will be defaulted to a 50% cycling level. A new move-in customer will receive ongoing bill credits, if they continue to participate in the program, but will not receive the first-year matching bonus. The first-year matching bonus credits are only intended for the initial customer enrollment and device installation.

PeakRewards Thermostat 5 Year Savings

For tips on how to decrease summer air conditioning costs and increase comfort, click here.

PeakRewards is a win-win program for the community and the region since participation also helps the environment. By enrolling in the program, you help reduce emissions from current and future power plants. Reduced energy use during peak periods also helps BGE deliver electricity more reliably (avoiding brownouts and rolling blackouts) and results in energy prices that are lower than they otherwise would have been.

The PeakRewards program is paid for by all residential BGE customers through the electric EmPOWER Maryland surcharge on their BGE bill. The program benefits all customers whether they participate or not as it prevents potential blackouts during periods of peak demand, helps keep overall energy costs lower than they otherwise would be, improves electric service reliability and reduces power plant emissions.

The “EmPower Md. Chg”, which includes the combined electric Energy Efficiency and PeakRewards surcharges, is $0.00203 per kWh or about $2.03 per month for an average home that uses 1,000 kWh per month. There also is a gas component to the EmPOWER Maryland charge on customers’ bills related to the energy efficiency programs. The average residential gas customer who consumes 58 therms per month will see a monthly gas surcharge (as of January 1st, 2012) of $.93 at the 1.61 cents per therm rate for the energy efficiency programs. These rates may be modified during 2012 as the programs for 2012 are finalized.

The program's benefits and costs change over time; the charge may be updated annually (or more often) to reflect these changes. In addition, the benefits of the program far outweigh the costs, ultimately helping to reduce customers’ bills and improve service reliability in the years to come. Over the past three years, participants in the PeakRewards program have provided over 520,000 megawatts of demand reduction.

Overall, the savings from PeakRewards far outweighs the cost of the program. Capacity and energy revenue earned by the program in the wholesale market are applied to offset the costs of PeakRewards. Customers see savings resulting from wholesale capacity and energy prices that are lower than they otherwise would have been. Also, BGE has the potential to spend less on transmission and distribution infrastructure because the program helps to relieve the peak load that this infrastructure has to carry.

As PeakRewards reduces demand for electricity, all customers, including those not participating in the program, benefit from electricity price reductions in the wholesale markets. The program improves electricity service reliability to all customers; and everyone reaps the environmental benefits of reducing emissions from electricity generation plants and reducing the amount of electricity that generation plants need to provide.

While most customers choose to stay in the PeakRewards Air Conditioning program and enjoy its many benefits, you can opt-out of the program without any penalties. Some customers who selected higher cycling levels opt to reduce their cycling level rather than leave the program. Should you decide to discontinue your participation, you may keep the programmable thermostat or switch; however, the summer bill credits will no longer be applied to your BGE bill. If you wish to opt-out of the program, simply call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

You can call PeakRewards customer hotline 1.888.309.7325 to have your cycling level changed. The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday. It can take from 48 hours up to one week in certain circumstances for your cycling level change to be effective. Once your cycling level is in effect, your bill credits will be adjusted accordingly for the next bill cycle. Keep in mind, you cannot change your cycling level during an emergency event or the transition out of an emergency event.

By allowing BGE to cycle electric water heaters during peak demand periods, customers can help reduce the overall demand on BGE’s electric system, which may delay the need for building new power plants and help keep future electricity prices lower than they otherwise would be, benefiting all customers.

The Electric Water Heater program is available to BGE customers with electric tank water heaters who live in certain areas. BGE may disqualify an installation based on non-conforming equipment (e.g. tankless water heaters) or equipment condition.

Thank you for your interest in the PeakRewards Electric Water Heater program. The program is now available in certain areas. Please click here to enroll, and contact the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) for more information about the program’s availability in your area.

If you have already registered for the PeakRewards Electric Water Heater program, a customer service representative will contact you soon to reconfirm your enrollment and schedule your switch installation. Installations will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. You do not have to register again for this program.

Once the water heater switch has been installed, qualified BGE customers participating in the program will receive a total of $25 in bill credits each year and an additional matching bonus in the first year of $25 for signing up — a total of $50.

A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits, if they continue to participate in the program, but will not receive the first-year matching bonus. The first-year matching bonus credits are only intended for the initial customer enrollment and device installation.

The switches are designed to turn off 100% of the electricity to your electric water heater during periods of peak electric demand. During these peak demand periods, the hot water that is stored in the tank at the start of the event should retain heat for a period of time and be available for your use. However, if the hot water in the tank is used up during the event, water generated will not be heated until the peak demand period is over. Additionally, over time the hot water cools. Once the event is over, the electric water heater will resume normal operation.

Bill credits will be applied in the months of November, December, January and February each year. If you participate, you will receive bill credits of $6.25 per month plus a matching bonus of $6.25. The matching bonus doubles the bill credits in the first full year of participation.

The red light signals that a cycling event is activated and the water heater switch is interrupting the flow of electricity to your water heater. A green light indicates that the switch is not currently cycling your water heater but is energized.

In the normal state, the switch will not impact the operation of your water heater. The switch receives a cycling command, which will interrupt the flow of electricity to the water heater during the cycling period. Once the cycling period is completed, the water heater will resume normal operation. Note that the water heater should retain its capacity of hot water for a period of time but recovery of hot water will not be possible during a cycling event. No water is being heated during the event.

You will not begin receiving credits on your BGE bill until the Smart Switch is installed on your property. Once it is installed, you will start to receive your bill credits.

Typically, cycling occurs sometime between the hours of noon and 8 p.m. during the summertime. During the winter, cycling events will typically occur between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The length of a cycling event will depend on the type of event (emergency or non-emergency) and the need for BGE to reduce electric demand. It could last up to 7 hours or longer if system reliability requires a longer transition to normal operations. BGE is unable to predict the number of times it will cycle electric water heaters each year, nor maximum duration.

Events will typically occur during the summer months of June through September and the winter months of November through February but can happen during other months.

If an emergency event is called, it will generally last until the situation is averted, which may be more hours than non-emergency events. Additionally, even after the emergency event ends, there will be a transition period until full operation of your unit is restored during which cycling changes and overrides will be prohibited.

Yes, you can override up to two non-emergency cycling events from October through May.

There are two types of events: non-emergency and emergency.

A non-emergency event occurs when the price of electricity is very high. Activating the PeakRewards Electric Water Heater Program during a non-emergency situation helps with system reliability and keeps energy prices low. You can choose to “override” a non-emergency event on a particular date. An override can be scheduled in advance or at the beginning of a non-emergency event by calling the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) or via the web.

During an emergency situation, BGE is directed by PJM Interconnection to activate its PeakRewards Electric Water Heater Program to help with electric grid reliability. PJM Interconnection is the independent, regional organization that coordinates the movement of stable and reliable electricity throughout a large portion of the eastern U.S. including Central Maryland. Overrides cannot be used during emergency events since it is an emergency situation to help avoid brownouts and potential blackouts. Also, if you scheduled an override and subsequently an emergency event is called, your override will be canceled.

Generally speaking within 30 minutes after the completion of the cycling event, the water heater will resume normal operation. The water heater will turn on automatically once the cycling event is completed without the need for manual intervention.

You can sign up for non-emergency and emergency event notifications and receive emails during events and at their conclusion. To sign up, call 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) or visit BGEsavings.com/PeakNotifications. Additionally, if you sign-up for PeakRewards Online Access, you will be able to view your cycling status online. Cycling status messages such as: “You have not been cycled today,” “Currently cycling” or “You have been cycled today” will be displayed on the welcome page. If you have a concern about your equipment or detect your water heater is being cycled, you can also call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325).

Yes, in addition to the Electric Water Heater Program, customers with central air conditioning or electric heat pumps can receive additional bill credits by participating in the PeakRewards A/C (air conditioning) Program. If you sign-up for both the A/C and Electric Water Heater programs, you can get 8 months of bill credits totaling up to $125 per year. For more information about the PeakRewards A/C Program, click here

We strongly encourage participants to remain in the program. However, if you change your mind at any time you can call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) to withdraw from the program. There are no charges or penalties for withdrawing from the program. However, once you asked to be removed from the program, the winter bill credits will no longer be applied. Removal from the program is usually processed in 3-5 business days, but may take up to 7 business days.

General maintenance should not require a call to BGE. However, you should inform the contractor that a BGE Electric Water Heater Smart Switch is installed. If a contractor needs to disconnect it for any maintenance or system replacement work, you should call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) for immediate assistance. Tampering with or removal of the Electric Water Heater Smart Switch could jeopardize your bill credits.

Once a cycling event has fully ended, including the transition out of an event, your air conditioner or heat pump should resume normal operation within 30 minutes. However, the amount of time it takes for your home to return to normal temperature depends on many variables, including the outdoor temperature, how well your home is insulated, the condition of your air conditioner or heat pump, and the duration of the PeakRewards cycling event. If a cycling event has ended and the word “SAVINGS” still appears on your thermostat screen, or if there is a red light on your outdoor air conditioning switch, you should call the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) for assistance. Otherwise, if you believe your unit is not operating effectively, please contact your HVAC contractor.

Key causes of ineffective cooling is the system overheating due to a dirty air filter or clogged drain lines, or insufficient refrigerant, both of which can be avoided with routine system maintenance.

Some email providers use a practice called rate limiting to control the traffic on their mail servers which helps ensure emails are delivered but this practice may cause a lag in message delivery time. Rate limits are set by your email provider and it is recommended you contact them directly if you are not receiving emails promptly.

Electricity usage fluctuates constantly due to weather conditions, commercial and industrial business hours and residential electricity usage. During the summer months, demand is usually greater as electricity is used to cool homes and businesses, especially during weekday afternoons. “Peak electric demand” refers to the point of highest electricity use over a certain period of time. Throughout the day, BGE continually monitors electricity demand to minimize cost and ensure reliable delivery.

Emergency Events
During an emergency event, regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing regional supply, and BGE is required by the regional grid manager, PJM, to activate its’ PeakRewards program. This type of event is usually called to avoid potential brownouts and rolling blackouts area-wide. A/C program participants will be cycled up to their chosen cycling level – 50%, 75% or 100%, and Electric Water Heater program participants will be cycled at 100%.

Non-Emergency Events
On occasion, BGE may activate its PeakRewards program when regional demand is not very close to surpassing regional supply, but the wholesale price of electricity is very high. These events may occur on a localized level restricted to certain areas within the BGE territory or they may occur across the entire BGE territory. Activating the PeakRewards program during these non-emergency events puts downward pressure on energy prices and increases the reliability of the distribution system. For non-emergency events, A/C program participants will be cycled up to 50% and Electric Water Heater program participants will be cycled at 100%.

During periods of high electricity use in the Mid-Atlantic region, typically during the summer months, a radio signal may be sent to the programmable thermostat, outdoor A/C switch or electric hot water heater switch to interrupt the flow of electricity to your unit for a period of time each hour. This is called cycling. Only electricity to the A/C compressor or electric water heater is interrupted. Cycling reduces the peak demand for electricity, helping to maintain reliable service and lower the cost of electricity.

A/C program participants may choose a cycling level that will determine how long their air conditioner’s compressor will be impacted during an event:

All A/C customers are cycled up to 50% during non-emergency events and you may choose to override participation during this type of event up to two times per summer. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

Electric Water Heater program participants will be cycled at 100%, regardless of event type (emergency or non-emergency) and may choose to override up to four non-emergency events per year; two from June –September and two from October – May. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event.

The length of a cycling event will depend on the type of event (emergency or non-emergency) and the need for BGE to reduce electric demand. It generally begins between 12 p.m. and 3.p.m, and could last up to 7 hours or longer if system reliability requires a longer transition to normal operations. BGE is unable to predict the number of times it will cycle air conditioners or electric heat pumps each year, nor maximum duration.

Cycling level is the key component of the PeakRewards program. A/C participants can choose from three different program options, which represent various cycling levels during emergency events. If you have health concerns, are elderly, have pets or children in the home that may be affected by increased temperatures due to a cycling event, we suggest that you select the 50% cycling level or call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) to discuss what option may be best for you:

*A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits for their participation in the program. As a “move-in” customer, you are currently enrolled at the 50% cycling level, the lowest level of credits and cycling. However, “move-in” customers are not eligible to receive the first-year bonus credits since the bonus is intended for the initial enrollment and installation of a device at a customer’s home.

** Credits are subject to change in future years. Terms and Conditions.

The temperature change in your home during a cycling event will vary based on factors including: the outdoor temperature, how well your home is insulated, duration of the cycling event, air conditioning unit size, cycling level and other variables. Actual temperature changes during cycling may vary.

Note: All PeakRewards A/C participants will be cycled up to the 50% level during non-emergency events. If you think a cycling event is occurring, you may confirm the type of event by checking online via Online Access, looking for the word “SAVINGS” on a PeakRewards thermostat or a red light on the switch, or by calling the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

Electric Water Heater program participants will be cycled at 100%, regardless of event type (emergency or non-emergency)

**A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits, if they continue to participate in the program, but will not receive the first-year matching bonus. The first-year matching bonus credits are only intended for the initial customer enrollment and device installation.

Credits are subject to change in future years. Terms and Conditions.

Typically, cycling occurs Monday-Friday. The actual start time, end time, duration and day of the week of each cycling event varies.

The length of a cycling event will depend on the type of event (emergency or non-emergency) and the need for BGE to reduce electric demand. It generally begins between 12 p.m. and 3.p.m, and could last up to 7 hours or longer if system reliability requires a longer transition to normal operations. BGE is unable to predict the number of times it will cycle air conditioners or electric heat pumps each year, nor maximum duration.

Events will typically occur during the summer months of June through September but can happen during other months.

If an emergency event is called for reliability reasons, it will last until the situation is averted, which may be more hours than other events. Additionally, even after the emergency event ends, there will be a transition period until full operation of your unit is restored during which cycling changes will be prohibited.

There are several ways to know if a cycling event is taking place. A/C program participants may look for the word “SAVINGS” at the top of their programmable thermostat screen or may look for a red light on their outdoor switch. Likewise, electric water heater participants may also look for a red light on the front of their electric water heater switch.

Additionally, if you sign-up for PeakRewards Online Access, you will be able to view your cycling status online. Cycling status messages such as: “You have not been cycled today”, “Currently cycling”, or “You have been cycled today” will be displayed on the welcome page.

Customers could determine an event has been activated by viewing the word “SAVINGS” on their thermostat or by the red light on their outdoor or electric water heater switch. Customers could also log onto their PeakRewards Online Access account to view their cycling status. You can sign up for cycling event notifications and receive emails or texts at the start and conclusion of every cycling event. To sign up, call 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) or visit BGESavings.com/PeakNotifications.

Note: standard data charges will apply for text messaging.

You can override your participation in a non-emergency cycling event up to two times each summer. You can schedule these overrides in advance or on the day of a non-emergency event by calling the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday. Each request will be handled in the order in which it is received and implemented as soon as the process allows. You may also override non-emergency events by logging in to your online account via PeakRewards Online Access.

When emergency events go into effect at the regional level, and BGE is required to activate its PeakRewards program, you cannot override your program participation. You may not change cycling levels, nor exit the program, during an emergency event and the transition out of this event. Also, if you scheduled an override and subsequently an emergency event is called, your override will be cancelled.

During an emergency event, and the remainder of the day when this event is called, the following tools will be temporarily unavailable via PeakRewards Online Access:

• The “Override” link will be removed
• The “Set Thermostat Schedules” feature will be disabled
• The “Temporarily Adjust Settings” feature will be disabled

Please refer to the following “Tips to Stay Cool” for consideration during an emergency event:

Tips to stay cool during an event

• Tip 1 Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
• Tip 2 Consider going to a cool place such as a movie theater, mall or pool
• Tip 3 Relax in the basement where the temperature is typically several degrees cooler than the rest of the house
• Tip 4 Use an outdoor grill or microwave instead of the stove or oven
• Tip 5 Avoid using other heat-producing appliances such as dishwashers and clothes dryers
• Tip 6 Draw blinds and curtains in rooms that receive a lot of sunlight
• Tip 7 Turn ceiling fan on with blades rotating counter clockwise

You should typically be able to view your cycling level change on your PeakRewards Online Access account within 24–48 hours, but changes may take up to five business days in certain circumstances

During an emergency event, overrides are not permitted due to system reliability concerns and customers are cycled up to their chosen cycling levels. Under emergency conditions, BGE is directed by the regional grid manager, PJM Interconnection, to activate the PeakRewards program due to concerns that the demand for energy may exceed the supply. PeakRewards customers are not able to override since, under emergency conditions, there is an extreme need for lowering electricity demand. Scheduled overrides and overrides requested the day of an emergency event will not be implemented. In a critical situation, a customer representative can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Yes. If you schedule an override for a non-emergency cycling event and an event does not occur, the override will not count against the two overrides allowed per year and you will be able to schedule an override at a later date.

Normal unit operation should typically resume within 30 minutes from the receipt of the non-emergency cycling event override request, but could take more than 30 minutes in certain circumstances. Each request will be processed in the order in which it is received and implemented as soon as the system allows. For scheduled overrides, the electric water heater, air conditioning or electric heat pump unit will not be cycled on the scheduled day under non-emergency cycling event conditions.

The temperature change in your home during a cycling event will vary based on factors including: the outdoor temperature, how well your home is insulated, duration of the cycling event, cycling level and other variables. Please note, extreme temperatures outside can affect the duration of an event, which may also affect the temperature inside your home.

No, there is no limit to the number of hours you can be cycled. The length of a cycling event will depend on the type of event (emergency or non-emergency) and the need for BGE to reduce peak electric demand. BGE cannot predict the length of a cycling event. Cycling typically occurs Monday-Friday between the hours of 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Please note, cycling events may be activated outside of the Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.-7 p.m. timeframe. Also, the actual start time, end time, and duration of each cycling event will vary.

No. Data gathered during the PeakRewards pilot shows that A/C customers use between 25% and 50% less energy than they would have without the event. Significantly less energy is used when your A/C is being cycled. After a cycling event, while your A/C may be on more during the cool down period than it would typically be at that time, it actually is on less than it would have been absent the event. It also helps that the recovery period is typically in a cooler part of the day.

Once the cycling period is completed, the water heater will resume normal operation. Note that the water heater should retain its capacity of hot water for a period of time but recovery of hot water will not be possible during a cycling event. No water is being heated during the event.

Normal unit operation should resume within 30 minutes after the completion of a cycling event.

Customers who believe they may have been cycled at the wrong cycling level should call the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) so that the cycling level can be verified and, if needed, a PeakRewards technician can perform an inspection of the thermostat or switch. The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

The length of a cycling event will depend on the type of event (emergency or non-emergency) and the need for BGE to reduce peak electric demand. BGE cannot predict the length of a cycling event. Cycling typically occurs Monday-Friday between the hours of 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Please note, cycling events may be activated outside of the Monday-Friday, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. timeframe. Also, the actual start time, end time, and duration of each cycling event will vary. BGE is unable to predict the number of times it will cycle air conditioners or electric heat pumps each year.

BGE schedules preseason cycling events to test system operations and customer communications ahead of the summer and winter cycling seasons.

Preseason cycling events are scheduled before the start of each cycling season: spring for air conditioning and electric water heater summer cycling and in the fall for electric water heater winter cycling. To limit potential customer inconvenience, preseason cycling events are planned for midday on weekdays.

During preseason summer cycling events, your central air conditioner or electric heat pump will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level (50%, 75%, or 100%), and you will not be able to override your participation. If you have a medical of health condition or require assistance, please call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK(7325).

Programmable Thermostat

The word “SAVINGS” appears across the top of your thermostat screen.

Outdoor Air Conditioning Switch

The light on the front of the switch is red instead of green.

• Online Access – View your cycling status online. Cycling status messages such as: “You have not been cycled today”, “Currently cycling”, or “You have been cycled today” will be displayed on the welcome page.
• Event Notifications – Sign up to receive notification texts and emails at the start and end of every cycling event.
• Social Media – Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

Electric water heaters are cycled during both the spring and fall preseason cycling events. If you are enrolled in the PeakRewards Electric Water Heater or Energy Saver Switch program, your water heater will not produce any additional hot water for the duration of the event. The water in the tank at the start of the event should remain warm and available to use. However, additional water that refills the tank will not be heated until after the event ends.

You will not be able to override your participation in preseason cycling events. If you have questions, you may call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325).

PeakRewards Electric Water Heater Switch:

One or more red lights, on the front of the Electric Water Heater switch, will be lit.

Energy Saver Switch:

The light on the front of the switch will be red instead of green.

• Online Access – View your cycling status online. Cycling status messages such as: “You have not been cycled today”, “Currently cycling”, or “You have been cycled today” will be displayed on the welcome page.
• Event Notifications – Sign up to receive notification texts and emails at the start and end of every cycling event.
• Social Media – Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

No. You may not override your participation during the preseason cycling events and the transition out of this event. If you scheduled an override for the day, the override will be canceled. Also, during preseason events, and the remainder of the day the following tools will be temporarily unavailable via PeakRewards Online Access:

• The “Override” link will be removed
• The “Set Thermostat Schedules” feature will be disabled
• The “Temporarily Adjust Settings” feature will be disabled

Customers enrolled in PeakRewards are subject to the Terms and Conditions for the PeakRewards program. The program Terms and Conditions are available online at: BGEsavings.com/programresources.

General maintenance should not require a call to BGE. However, you should inform the contractor that a BGE thermostat, outdoor switch or electric water heater switch is installed. If a contractor needs to disconnect the thermostat or switch for any maintenance or system replacement work, you should call the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) for immediate assistance. Tampering with or removal of the PeakRewards device could jeopardize bill credits.

If you notice a slight rise in the indoor temperature during the cooling season, you should check the thermostat message area for the word “SAVINGS,” or the switch to see if the red light is on before calling a contractor to avoid an unnecessary service call. This will advise them that BGE is temporarily cycling your air conditioner. After the cycling event is over, the thermostat will return to normal operation. Likewise, if you notice that your supply of hot water has been reduced; first check your electric water heater switch for a red light to see if your unit is being cycled.

Most central air conditioning and electric heat pump units work with PeakRewards programmable thermostat technology. However, some systems are not currently compatible with PeakRewards thermostats and, on occasion, older or poorly maintained systems may not be compatible as well. In most cases, where a PeakRewards thermostat cannot be installed, a PeakRewards outdoor switch can be installed so that you may participate in the program.

Most electric water heaters, with a capacity of 30 gallons or more, are compatible with PeakRewards technology. Gas, tankless and some solar hot water heater systems are not compatible with the electric water heater switch.

A PeakRewards technician can evaluate your system to determine compatibility. If you have additional questions about system compatibility or would like to schedule an appointment, please call the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

If you have more than one central air conditioner, electric water heater or electric heat pump unit, you can have multiple devices (thermostat and/or switches) installed. When there is an installation of two or more A/C devices at an installation appointment, all devices must be set at the same cycling level (50%, 75%, and 100%) at the time of installation. Once the device is installed, you can immediately call the PeakRewards hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) to request different cycling levels for each A/C device. Your bill credit and matching bonus will be multiplied by the number of devices installed and cycling option selected. Note: Water heater switches are always cycled at the 100% level, regardless of event type (emergency or non-emergency).

You can help to avoid unnecessary use of auxiliary heat by setting the thermostat and leaving it alone. The PeakRewards programmable thermostat is specifically designed for heat pumps, which allows you to regulate the temperature in your home more efficiently. A programmable thermostat not designed for heat pump application will cause the auxiliary heat to come on prematurely after a nighttime setback. Auxiliary heat can offset any savings realized during the setback period. A heat pump programmable thermostat allows for greater recovery time, allowing the heat pump to gradually recover the desired temperature.

For helpful electric heat pump maintenance tips, click here

For more information on electric heat pumps, click here

PeakRewards installers are professionally trained to perform quality installations. While you should not experience any problems, if you do, you can call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) for immediate assistance. A PeakRewards technician will inspect the installation of the PeakRewards device, but will not perform any other diagnostics or repairs. For issues not related to the PeakRewards device please contact your local contractor.

A PeakRewards outdoor air conditioner switch has a small radio receiver and is typically mounted on the foundation of your home near your outdoor air conditioning or electric heat pump unit. It is used to help reduce peak demand for electricity.

During periods of high electricity use in the Mid-Atlantic region, typically during the hot summer months, a radio signal may be sent to the outdoor switch to interrupt the flow of electricity to the compressor on your air conditioner or electric heat pump for a period of time each hour. This is called cycling. Only electricity to the compressor is interrupted. Cycling reduces the peak demand for electricity, helping to maintain reliable service and lower the cost of electricity.

The cycling option you chose determines how long your air conditioners’ compressor will be impacted during an event:

*A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits for their participation in the program. As a “move-in” customer, you are currently enrolled at the 50% cycling level, the lowest level of credits and cycling. However, “move-in” customers are not eligible to receive the first-year bonus credits since the bonus is intended for the initial enrollment and installation of a device at a customer’s home.

** Credits are subject to change in future years. Terms and Conditions.

All customers are cycled up to 50% during non-emergency events and you may choose to override participation during this type of event up to two times per summer. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

A red light will be displayed on the outdoor switch during the activation of a BGE cycling event, indicating that the outdoor switch is adjusting compressor activity. A green light will indicate that the outdoor switch has power and is connected to the network but is not currently affecting compressor activity. If you do not see any light on the outdoor air conditioner switch, call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). Additionally, you can check if an event is taking place by logging in to your online account via PeakRewards Online Access.

Typically, BGE will install the outdoor switch on the foundation of your home with a connection to the air conditioning or electric heat pump unit. By mounting it on your home, similar to the way a meter or cable box is mounted, you will avoid the chance of it being removed if the installers replace your air conditioning or electric heat pump unit. At your request, BGE will mount the outdoor switch directly onto the air conditioning or electric heat pump unit.

In most cases, you do not need to be home and do not require an appointment to have the outdoor switch installed, since installation does not require entry into the house. Some situations may require that you be present such as the type and location of the air conditioning unit, protective fencing, or the presence of a dog.

Many BGE customers have chosen to participate in PeakRewards by allowing BGE to install a special thermostat; air conditioner and/or electric water heater switch in their homes in order to help reduce energy demand during times of peak energy usage. Smart meters are part of a separate initiative designed to modernize the power grid, while PeakRewards is a voluntary peak demand reduction program. The smart meter reads energy usage, it does not control appliances.

The PeakRewards programmable thermostat refers to the Honeywell touch-screen programmable thermostat being used for the program. It can be programmed for four separate time periods each day with various settings for weekdays and weekends. Using a programmable thermostat can help you save up to 15% each year in energy costs versus a non-programmable thermostat. Savings vary. Click here to read user manual.

The model of thermostat used for PeakRewards has additional functionality, which allows BGE to communicate remotely with it during periods of peak demand. During periods of high electricity use in the Mid-Atlantic region, typically during the hot summer months, a radio signal may be sent to the programmable thermostat to interrupt the flow of electricity to the compressor on your air conditioner or heat pump for a period of time each hour. This is called cycling. Only electricity to the compressor is interrupted. Cycling reduces the peak demand for electricity, helping to maintain reliable service and lower the cost of electricity.

The cycling option you chose determines how long your air conditioners’ compressor will be impacted during an event:

*A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits for their participation in the program. As a “move-in” customer, you are currently enrolled at the 50% cycling level, the lowest level of credits and cycling. However, “move-in” customers are not eligible to receive the first-year bonus credits since the bonus is intended for the initial enrollment and installation of a device at a customer’s home.

** Credits are subject to change in future years. Terms and Conditions.

All customers are cycled up to 50% during non-emergency events and you may choose to override participation during this type of event up to two times per summer. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

When you enroll in PeakRewards, you have a choice of either an outdoor switch or programmable thermostat. If you currently have a switch on the outdoor unit, you can upgrade to the Honeywell programmable thermostat at any time by calling the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325).

BGE will work with you to schedule a convenient time to have the programmable thermostat installed. To schedule an installation, call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

You will see the word “SAVINGS” displayed in the thermostat window during a BGE cycling event. “SAVINGS” will disappear from your thermostat after the cycling event is over.

All customers are cycled up to 50% during non-emergency events and you may choose to override participation during this type of event up to two times per summer. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

The PeakRewards programmable thermostat has a built-in radio receiver, which allows BGE to send a cycling command to help ease electricity demand during periods of peak electricity use. You can use the PeakRewards Online Access features to manage your thermostat settings and preferences from anywhere with access to a web browser. Please note, BGE will not alter your temperature or any other settings from this device. If you already have a programmable thermostat that you are happy with, you can choose to have the outdoor switch installed instead.

No. Under no circumstance will BGE alter any thermostat settings without your express authorization. During the initial installation, a BGE representative will set the thermostat to your preferred setting or temperature schedule. You can also call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST on Saturday to have a customer service representative remotely perform thermostat scheduling functions on your behalf. Detailed instructions on setting the thermostat can be found in the user manual. You can also program your thermostat from anywhere you have access to a web browser with PeakRewards Online Access. To learn more about PeakRewards Online Access, click here.

No. The PeakRewards outdoor switch and programmable thermostat only track the run time and cycle time of the air conditioning system. These devices do not have the ability to track energy usage.

The system allows you to select and hold a specific temperature for vacation and other times when you are away. You should simply select the desired temperature and press the HOLD key. This setting will be maintained until you cancel it by pressing the CANCEL key, resuming normal cooling and heating schedule settings. You may also make any of these changes by calling the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) during normal operating hours. With your permission only, a customer service representative can remotely reset temperatures to your desired levels. The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

We are not aware of any safety concerns related to PeakRewards. The Honeywell UtilityPRO thermostat used for the PeakRewards program is rigorously tested prior to installing any of these devices in BGE customer homes. The PeakRewards thermostats go through a detailed testing and quality control process, performed both by the manufacturer and Honeywell so that the devices can meet a high level of customer safety, reliability and satisfaction.

If you have any health concerns, are elderly, have pets or children in the home that may be affected by increased temperatures due to a cycling event, but still want to participate in the program, we suggest that you select the 50% cycling level or call the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) to discuss what option may be best for you. The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

No. Smart meters are not the same as the Peak Rewards program devices. The smart meter’s primary function is to read energy usage. PeakRewards thermostats, air conditioning and water heater switches are part of a separate, voluntary energy use reduction program.

Your PeakRewards thermostat is powered by your heating and air conditioning system. The small battery on the side of the thermostat is simply used to retain the time and date and does not turn the thermostat on or off. If your system shuts down for any reason, power to the PeakRewards thermostat is interrupted and a blank thermostat screen will result until power is restored.

If you notice a blank screen on your PeakRewards thermostat, contact your heating and air conditioning contractor to schedule service of your system. Once your equipment has returned to normal working order, the power to your thermostat will be restored.

Your heating and air conditioning system may shut itself down for various reasons, which can include overheating due to a dirty air filter or clogged drain lines. This condition may be intermittent, and may result in your PeakRewards thermostat alternating between a blank screen and a normal screen.

1. Log onto your BGE account: Visit bge.com/myaccount and enter your BGE User ID and Password to sign in. The site will open to the "Manage My Account" tab.
   
   Not registered for a bge.com account? Click here to register now. You must have your BGE account number at the time of enrollment. It may take up to 48 hours for the "PeakRewards" link to be visible for newly registered users.
   
   
2. Access your PeakRewards account: From the "Manage My Account" tab, you will be able to access your PeakRewards account by clicking on the "PeakRewards" link under the "My Programs" section.
   
   The "My Programs" section will list all BGE programs that you are enrolled in (example: Budget Billing). If you are not enrolled in PeakRewards, PeakRewards will not be listed in the "My Programs" section.
   
   
3. Access your PeakRewards Device: Once you click on the "PeakRewards," link you will be logged in and will be able to access all of the site features:
   
   
   • Track Cycling Event Status and History
   • Set and Save Thermostat Schedules
   • Temporarily Adjust Thermostat Settings
   • Change Device Label(s)
   • Check Enrollment Status
   • Override non-emergency cycling events, up to two times per summer for A/C program customers and four times per year for Electric Water Heater program customers.

   Please note, PeakRewards participants cannot override program participation during an emergency cycling event and the transition out of this event. During an emergency event, and the remainder of the day when this event is called, the following Online Access tools will be temporarily unavailable:

   • The "Override" link will be removed
   • The "Set Thermostat Schedules" feature will be disabled
   • The "Temporarily Adjust Settings" feature will be disabled

PeakRewards Online Access is only compatible with Internet Explorer 8.0 and higher or Firefox 3.6 and higher.

iPhone customers must accept cookies to log into BGE.com and view the Manage My Account link. The default cookie setting on your iPhone is set to "Never" accept cookies. To enable cookies on your device, from the Home screen choose Settings > Safari, then tap "Accept Cookies" and choose "Always". To learn more about accepting cookies, refer to your owner's manual for your iPhone.

There are three thermostat menu options within PeakRewards Online Access:

• Schedule — create or adjust the temperature settings on your thermostat.
• Manual — set and hold your thermostat at a specific temperature for vacation and other times when you are away.
• Saved Schedules — view or remove any thermostat schedules you previously saved.

PeakRewards Online Access allows you to schedule your thermostat settings per device. If you are participating in the PeakRewards program with two or more thermostats, each thermostat will be listed in the PeakRewards Online Access portal on the left side of the screen. From there, you can adjust thermostat settings for each device.

No — you must schedule the settings for each thermostat separately.

The temperature values represent current nationally recommended thermostat settings created by ENERGY STAR^® and the US Department of Energy. These settings are not reflected in your thermostat unless you press the SAVE AND SEND SCHEDULE button on the bottom of the page.

It may take up to 15 minutes for the changes to take effect. When you send the thermostat schedule, a signal is sent out from the PeakRewards Online Access screen. If you don’t see the thermostat changes after fifteen minutes, resend your thermostat schedule again.

BGE is not responsible for the thermostat settings and schedules, which are chosen by the customer. BGE cannot guarantee the information transmitted will change the setting due to atmospheric conditions and/or weak signaling strength in certain areas.

The name of the thermostat was created when the technician installed your thermostat. You can change it by:

• Pressing the Manual link on left side menu
• Pressing the Edit link located next to the thermostat title
• Entering a name for your thermostat and pressing the SAVE button

Once you are logged onto PeakRewards Online Access, click the thermostat you want to temporarily adjust from the left-hand navigation menu. Under the name of the thermostat, you will see a Manual link. The Manual link will take you to the Temporary Adjustment page, which will allow you to enter a temporary setting. You can simply adjust the temperature by clicking on the up or down arrows or enter the temperature in the temperature box. The new temperature setting will temporarily change your set point until the next scheduled time period. You must check “HOLD” if you want to permanently maintain this new setting.

Yes. To schedule an override, click the Override link in the left-hand navigation menu. This link will direct you to the Override Scheduling page where you can select the override date on the calendar. Once you have chosen your date, click “APPLY”. Be sure the date you choose is correct, once you click apply you will not be able to change the date. As long as you haven’t exceeded your override limit, your request will be accepted. For research purposes only, the system will ask you to explain the reason for requesting the override. Your response to this section allows BGE to determine the key reasons for requesting overrides, which will help BGE continue to improve the program. You are entitled to schedule the following overrides for non-emergency cycling events only:

Air conditioner thermostat(s) and switch(es):

• Two non-emergency event overrides per device
• Overrides apply from June – September

Water heater switch(es):

• Two non-emergency events per water heater from October through May.

You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

During an emergency event, and the remainder of the day when this event is called, the following tools will be temporarily unavailable via PeakRewards Online Access:

• The “Override” link will be removed
• The “Set Thermostat Schedules” feature will be disabled
• The “Temporarily Adjust Settings” feature will be disabled

Yes. The Cycling History link found on the left-hand navigation menu directs you to a view of your complete cycling history. To view a listing of when your central air conditioning experienced a cycle, click on the VIEW COMPLETE HISTORY button. Your history will be displayed for each thermostat or switch, giving you the start date and end date, cycling duration or how long the cycle lasted. By clicking the view function’s drop down menu on the right, you can isolate the listing to feature cycling history by day, week, year or all cycling events.

Please note, upon completion of an event, there will be a transition time before the system is returned to normal. Normal unit operations should resume within 30 minutes after the completion of a cycling event.

Currently, a one-way communication exists between the PeakRewards Online Access portal and the thermostat where any changes sent online are received by the thermostat but any changes made on the thermostat directly are not updated online.

BGE is evaluating the feasibility of providing two-way communication between the thermostat and PeakRewards Online Access for the future.

You can schedule two consecutive periods (Wake, Leave, Return, and Sleep) with the same temperature.

There is a Hints and Tips link on the Thermostat Schedule page that provides detailed instructions on how to set a thermostat schedule.

No — during an emergency event, and the remainder of the day when this event is called, the following tools will be temporarily unavailable via PeakRewards Online Access:

• The “Override” link will be removed
• The “Set Thermostat Schedules” feature will be disabled
• The “Temporarily Adjust Settings” feature will be disabled

The HOLD checkmark allows you to maintain the thermostat setting until you manually cancel this setting. To cancel this permanent setting, either press the RESTORE button from the online portal, or the CANCEL key on your thermostat. Once you cancel this setting, the thermostat follows your normal cooling and heating schedule settings.

A Permanent Hold allows you to maintain the thermostat at one temperature setting until you manually cancel the Permanent Hold. A Temporary Hold allows you to maintain the thermostat at one temperature setting until the next scheduled period (Wake, Leave, Return, or Sleep). Once the next scheduled period arrives, the thermostat resumes its normal thermostat schedule.

The EDIT button allows you to change the thermostat online label. Simply type in the name you want to call your thermostat and press the SAVE button.

It may take up to 15 minutes for the changes to take effect. When you send the thermostat schedule, a signal is sent out from the PeakRewards Online Access screen. If you don’t see the thermostat changes after fifteen minutes, resend your thermostat schedule again.

BGE is not responsible for the thermostat settings and schedules, which are chosen by the customer.

BGE cannot guarantee the information transmitted will change the setting due to atmospheric conditions and/or weak signaling strength in certain areas.

Yes, PeakRewards Online Access can be used anywhere with access to a web browser — even on your smart phone. You can manage your thermostat settings directly by visiting: www.BGE.com/myaccount. Once you log onto the site, you can set and save thermostat schedules as well as temporarily adjust your thermostat settings. Although the Online Access tool has been optimized for user experience, the display of this feature can vary depending on the smart phone and browser.

Currently, we do not have a smart phone app available for download. However, you can manage your PeakRewards thermostat settings directly from your smart phone by visiting: www.BGE.com/myaccount. You should bookmark this site and save the link on your smart phone for future use. Although the Online Access tool has been optimized for user experience, the display of this feature can vary depending on the smart phone and browser.

No. Under no circumstance will BGE alter any thermostat settings without your express authorization.

On the PeakRewards Online Access home page, you will see a message, like the following, displayed for example:

Residential A/C Thermostat 75% Cycling
Currently Cycling

Additionally, you will see the word “SAVINGS” displayed in the thermostat window during a BGE cycling event. “SAVINGS” will disappear from your thermostat after the cycling event is over.

A red light will be displayed on the outdoor switch during the activation of a BGE cycling event, indicating that the outdoor switch is adjusting compressor activity. A green light will indicate that the outdoor switch has power and is connected to the network but is not currently affecting compressor activity.

All customers are cycled up to 50% during non-emergency events and you may choose to override participation during this type of event up to two times per summer. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

PeakRewards Online Access is only compatible with Internet Explorer 8.0 and higher or Firefox 3.6 and higher.

On the day of a cycling event, you may notice multiple cycling events recorded on your cycling history on PeakRewards Online Access as a result of how the PeakRewards system operates during events. To view the current status of a cycling event, please visit the Online Access homepage.

The PeakRewards device installed in your home is a programmable thermostat used by the PeakRewards Air Conditioning program to help reduce peak demand for electricity. The thermostat also has other features, including online programming, advanced scheduling, touch screen programming, and other state-of-the-art features.

During periods of high electricity use in the Mid-Atlantic region, typically during the hot summer months, a radio signal may be sent to the programmable thermostat to interrupt the flow of electricity to the compressor on your air conditioner or electric heat pump for a period of time each hour. This is called cycling (for more information on cycling, click here). Only electricity to the compressor is interrupted. The compressor is what produces cool air. Cycling reduces the peak demand for electricity, helping to maintain reliable service and lower the cost of electricity.

Emergency Events — During an emergency event, regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing regional supply, and BGE is required by PJM to activate its’ PeakRewards program. This type of event is usually called to avoid potential brownouts and rolling blackouts area-wide. You cannot change your cycling level, override your participation, or exit the program during an emergency event or during the transition out of an emergency event. You will be cycled up to your chosen cycling level — 50%, 75% or 100%.

Non-Emergency Events — On occasion, BGE may activate its PeakRewards program when regional demand is not very close to surpassing regional supply, but the wholesale price of electricity is very high. These events may occur on a localized level restricted to certain areas within the BGE territory or they may occur across the entire BGE territory. Activating the PeakRewards program during these non-emergency events puts downward pressure on energy prices and increases the reliability of the distribution system. You may choose to override participation during this type of event up to two times per summer. For non-emergency events, participants will be cycled up to 50%.

As a “new move in” customer, your PeakRewards participating level is set at 50% cycling. At 50% cycling, your central air conditioner or electric heat pump will produce cool air for half its normal running time during a cycling event. You will receive $50 in annual bill credits — $12.50 for each of the 4 summer months, June – September. A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits, if they continue to participate in the program, but will not receive the first-year matching bonus. The first-year matching bonus credits are only intended for the initial customer enrollment and device installation.

If you have additional questions about the program, please contact the PeakRewards customer hotline at 1.888.309.PEAK (7325). The PeakRewards customer hotline is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, Saturday.

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