Dear BGE Customer,

Welcome to the first issue of Rewarding News℠, your online source for the latest information about PeakRewards℠. If you have central air, an electric heat pump and/or an electric water heater, you can save on your energy bills by signing up for PeakRewards℠. When you do, you receive credits each summer and/or winter that you participate in exchange for letting BGE “cycle” your A/C compressor during periods of peak demand. Aside from the bill credits you receive, this program also helps keep electricity costs lower than they would otherwise be, and reduces the need for new power plants.

While you’re here, check out all of the ways the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® can help save you money, conserve energy and help protect the environment.

David Greenberg
Supervisor, Demand Response Programs

P.S. — Click here to enroll now. For tips on how to stay cool this summer and save energy, see "More Ways to Save" in this issue.

BGE residential customers with central air conditioning or an electric heat pump in good working order can qualify for the PeakRewards℠ A/C program. For the PeakRewards℠ Water Heater program, BGE residential customers with an electric water heater in good working order can qualify.

The PeakRewards℠ A/C program gives you:

• Equipment Choices: Choose either a new Honeywell programmable thermostat, which can save you up to 15 percent* on heating and cooling costs year round, or an outside air conditioner switch (Smart Switch). Both the thermostat and Smart Switch are professionally installed by BGE.
  
  *Savings vary; 15% is based on an average of $180 savings per year.

• Cycling and Saving Choices: Choose from 50%, 75% or 100% cycling. The higher the cycling level you choose, the higher the credits you will receive on your BGE bill — $50, $75, $100 each summer you participate. Plus, you’ll get a one-time matching sign-up bonus, which doubles your credits during your first year of participation!

  Cycling Level	50%	75%	100%
  Summer Credits*	$50	$75	$100
  Per Month	$12.50	$18.75	$25.00
  First Year Bonus**	$50	$75	$100
  Per Month	$12.50	$18.75	$25
  Total	$100	$150	$200

  * PeakRewards℠ credits are applied June-July-August-September

  **Your PeakRewards℠ bonus and bill credits are based on Emergency Cycling Events. As reference, the historical average include one emergency and six non emergency cycling events

  Cycling refers to the amount of time each hour your air conditioning (A/C) compressor is turned on and off during an emergency or non-emergency event. Want more information on cycling? Click here.

• Override Choices: Once you choose a date, BGE will ensure your air conditioning (A/C) compressor is not cycled if a non-emergency event occurs on the date you selected. Want more information on overrides? Click here.
• PeakRewards℠ Online Access: You can access your thermostat(s) or switch(es) anywhere you have access to a web browser! To find out more about PeakRewards℠ Online Access, click here.

The PeakRewards℠ Water Heater program gives you:

• Savings: $25 in credits on your BGE bill every year you participate ($6.25 per month in November, December, January, and February) plus, as a “Thank You” for enrolling in PeakRewards℠, you’ll get a matching bonus of $25, for a total of $50 in credits during your first year of participation.
  
  If you enroll in both the A/C and Water Heater programs, you will receive 8 months of ongoing bill credits totaling up to $125 per year after the first year!
• Advanced technology: Once you enroll, you will get a Smart Switch professionally installed near your electric water heater. The Smart Switch is designed to cycle off 100% of the electricity to your hot water heater during an emergency or non-emergency event. Want more information on cycling? Click here.
• Override Choices: You can choose to override (opt-out) up to four non-emergency events each year — two from June-September, and two from October-May. Once you choose a date, BGE will ensure your electric water heater is not cycled if a non-emergency event occurs on the date you selected. Want more information on overrides? Click here.
• PeakRewards℠ Online Access: You can view your switch cycling history and override (opt-out) non-emergency cycling events from anywhere you have access to a web browser! To find out more about PeakRewards℠ Online Access, click here.

Now you can access your PeakRewards℠ device(s) 24/7 online from anywhere you have access to a web browser. Here's what you can do using PeakRewards℠ Online Access:

• Adjust your Honeywell programmable thermostat settings if you're on vacation or away on business
• Set and save thermostat cooling and heating schedules
• Change or customize device labels

• Override (opt-out) non-emergency cycling events

  • up to two times a year for the A/C program
  • up to four times a year for the Water Heater program
• Track cycling event status and history

Getting started with PeakRewards℠ Online Access is as easy as 1-2-3!

Read More...

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® offers a host of empowering choices — in addition to PeakRewards℠ — to help you conserve energy, save money, and protect the environment.

Quick Home Energy Check-up: Get started now! An Energy Check-up is a simple, first step to help you identify some of the most basic energy-saving measures you can undertake to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your costs. A Check-up Professional will perform a one-hour walk-through of your home and assess its insulation levels, heating and cooling systems, windows, doors, lighting, and appliances.

For more about BGE's Quick Home Energy Check-up, click here.

High-efficiency rebates can save you money and energy In any season, the BGE Residential HVAC Rebate program can help you lower your energy usage and manage utility costs! Act now and get savings of $175 to $400 on high-efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. Combine equipment and your savings will be even higher. For more information on this great offer, click here.

Lighting discounts: What a bright idea! To help you reduce energy costs, BGE is offering discounts on a variety of qualifying ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Compared to standard incandescent light bulbs, CFLs use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer! Replacing a standard bulb with a CFL can save you up to $65 during the bulb’s lifetime. To find a participating retailer or learn about recycling your old CFLs, click here.

Appliance rebates can save you even more. You can receive $50 rebates on qualifying ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and clothes washers, and $25 on room air conditioning units, at any participating retailer. Click here to find out more.

Learn more about the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® at BGESmartEnergy.com or by calling 1-877-685-SESP (7377) today.

Simple steps can make saving energy and money a snap! Implement these low- or no-cost energy-saving habits, and start saving right away:

1. Lower water heater thermostat to 120°F.
2. Wash only full loads of clothes in cold water.
3. Clean refrigerator condenser coils frequently.
4. Repair leaky faucets and toilets.
5. Use fans to help cool your house in the summer.
6. Unplug electronics when not in use — computers, TVs, DVD players and stereos. Plug them into a power strip to turn off when not in use.
7. Turn off lights when room is not occupied.
8. Keep your thermostat set at 78°F in summer and 68°F in winter.
9. Clean your air conditioner filters frequently, and replace them when necessary.
10. Use energy-saving settings on washer, dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator; run dishwasher when full and use air-dry feature.
11. Dry your laundry on a line if possible.
12. Close drapes and blinds upwards during summer days; open during winter to let sun in.