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PeakRewards℠ Electric Water Heater Program

Program Notice

What is it?

The PeakRewards Electric Water Heater program is designed to help ease peak demand for electricity in the BGE territory and the Maryland region. It is a part of the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®, which helps you conserve energy, save money and protect the environment.

FAQs

How does it work?

BGE residential customers with electric water heaters in good working order can choose to have a switch installed on their unit. These switches are designed to turn off electricity to your water heater 100% during periods of peak electric demand.

There are two types of situations during which the program could be activated:

  • Non-emergency event: When the price of electricity is very high, activating the program helps with system reliability and keeps energy prices low. Learn more about non-emergency events.
  • Emergency situation: When the demand for electricity is close to surpassing the supply, activating the program helps to avoid brownouts and potential blackouts. BGE is directed by PJM Interconnection to activate the program to help with electricity grid reliability. Learn more about emergency events.
PeakRewards Electric Water Heater Cycling Event* Overview
  Non-Emergency Emergency FAQs
Participation Level 100% 100% FAQs
Reason for event The wholesale price of electricity is very high Regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing supply FAQs
Ability to override 4 times per year - two overrides from June–September and two from October–May Cannot override FAQs
Contact Us To override your event 4 times per year   FAQs

* During the summer, events may occur between the hours of 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the duration may be two to six hours during periods of peak demand or even longer although longer events have not been experienced.

During the winter, events may occur between the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the duration may be between 1 and 4 hours during periods of peak demand or even longer although longer events have not been experienced.

Event times and durations may vary.

What to expect during an event?

What do I get?

  • Savings. Incentives include combined credits and bonus totaling $50 for the first year of participation. Bill credits of $6.25 for four months ($25) and matching bonus of $6.25 for four months ($25) will be reflected in your November, December, January and February bills.
  • More Savings. Eight months of bill credits with PeakRewards A/C & Electric Water Heater programs — up to $125/year if you enroll in both programs.
  • Options. You can override up to four non-emergency cycling events each year – two overrides from June-September and two from October-May.
  • Online Access. This feature allows you to override participation in up to four non-emergency events from anywhere you have access to a web browser.
  • Advanced Technology. Smart Switch professionally installed at your home.

Program rules and customer agreement

  • Once your switch is installed, your credits and 1st year bonus will be applied to your next 4 winter bills.
  • The program is voluntary. You may withdraw from the program at any time, other than during an emergency event, without any penalties. However, should you decide to discontinue your participation, the bill credits will no longer be applied to your BGE bill.
  • Tampering with or removal of the PeakRewards device will result in bill credits being no longer paid.
  • BGE assumes no responsibility for the condition or repair of your electric water heater or other equipment. BGE customers who participate in the PeakRewards Electric Water Heater program are responsible for the repair and maintenance of their water heater.
  • Bonus credits are only given for the first year in which a new PeakRewards device is installed. A customer moving into a home with an existing PeakRewards device will receive ongoing bill credits, but will not receive the first year bonus credits.

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.

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 to build new power plants
  • Reducing the emissions from current and future power plants
  • Keeping future electricity prices lower than they otherwise would be
  • Easing the burden on Maryland's electricity delivery system as demand continues to grow
  • Supporting with the state's EmPOWER Maryland goals.