The PeakRewardsSM A/C program is designed by BGE 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.
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 or 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. Cycling reduces the peak demand for electricity, helping to maintain reliable service and keep down the cost of electricity.
How does it work?
BGE residential customers with central air conditioning or an electric heat pump in good working order can enroll in PeakRewards and choose either a programmable thermostat or an outdoor switch professionally installed. When you enroll, you agree to help ease high electricity demand by allowing BGE to "cycle" your air conditioning on and off from time to time, typically during the summer months when electricity demand is at its peak and temperatures may be high.
- 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%.
The program is completely voluntary and is available to BGE residential electric customers regardless of their choice of electricity supplier. For more information on energy choice, click here.
What are the benefits?
Equipment Choices. Upon enrollment, you will receive a programmable thermostat or an outdoor air conditioner switch professionally installed at your home. If you choose the programmable thermostat, you can save up to $890 over the next five years.
Move your mouse over the red areas to the left to learn more about product features.
To learn more about the PeakRewards Programmable Thermostat, view the PeakRewards Thermostat Operation Manual.
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.
More Savings. If you choose a programmable thermostat, you can save up to 15%* year-round on your heating and cooling costs.
*Savings vary.
Online Access. Allows you to manage your PeakRewards thermostat settings and override up to two non-emergency cycling events per summer from anywhere you have access to a web browser. During an emergency event and the transition out of an emergency event, you cannot use this feature to override a cycling event and you will be cycled up to chosen level.
*In order to use PeakRewards Online Access, you must be a BGE residential customer and enrolled in PeakRewards.
How does it help?
Participation in PeakRewards is one way we can work together to help protect our environment and reduce our carbon footprint by:
- Reducing the need for additional power generation plants.
- Reducing the emissions from current and future power plants.
- Reducing the need for additional electric delivery infrastructure such as electric transmission and distribution lines.
- Easing the burden on Maryland's electricity delivery system as our state's electricity demands continue to grow.
- Supporting the state's EmPOWER Maryland goals.
- Incorporating environmental management through implementation of A/C Switch and Thermostat Recycling initiatives.
| Cycling Level | 50% cycling | 75% cycling | 100% cycling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Credits* June, July, August, September |
$50 $12.50 |
$75 $18.75 |
$100 $25.00 |
| First Year Bonus** June, July, August, September |
$50 $12.50 |
$75 $18.75 |
$100 $25.00 |
Note: The total number of devices for the cycling levels you choose below (50% 75% 100%) must equal the number of devices you've chosen to be installed.
*Credits subject to change in future years
**Only applicable for the customer of record at the time of device installation.
A customer moving into a home with a PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits, if they continue to participate in the program, but will not 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. For other frequently asked questions, visit BGEsavings.com/faqs.
How do I sign up?
It's easy! Simply click here and fill out our online enrollment form.
