Energy Savings Days
Energy Savings Days
BGE Energy Savings Days are scheduled when electricity demand is expected to be particularly high. This typically occurs on hot summer weekdays when customersare using higher amounts of electricity than normal.
Reducing your energy use between 2 – 6 p.m. during an Energy Saving Day helps keep the overall cost of electricity down, reduces the need for additional power plants, and eases the burden on Maryland’s electricity grid — all while earning you summer bill credits*.
Get an alert
BGE will notify you by email, text, mobile app alert, or phone before the start of an Energy Savings Day. To ensure you receive alerts in a timely manner, log in to My Account and check that your contact information is up to date. If you don’t have My Account, click here to sign up.
Reduce your use
Simply use less electricity between 2 – 6 p.m. on an Energy Savings Day. Yes, it’s that easy. We will compare that usage to what you normally use on similar days. No enrollment or sign-up is needed. See tips below to help you reduce your energy use.
Earn bill credits
Receive $1.25 in bill credits for every kilowatt-hour saved compared to your normal use. Within a few days, BGE will notify you by email, text, mobile app alert, or phone to let you know how much you saved.
*Your credit will appear as “Smart Energy Rewards” on your Summer BGE bills (June-September), depending on when each Energy Savings Day occurs. If you are also a PeakRewards customer, your credit will appear as “Smart Energy Rewards/PeakRewards” on your summer BGE bills.
Tips to Reduce your Use
*BGE recommends setting your thermostat at 78°F. Customers should exercise discretion and consider health impacts when reducing electricity usage.
Learn the differences between BGE’s three energy-saving programs.
| Energy Savings Days | PeakRewardsSM | Connected RewardsSM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Device | Any device that uses electricity or controls your home’s temperature | A programmable thermostat or a switch on your outdoor air conditioning unit (BGE-owned device) | A smart thermostat that controls your central air conditioning (customer-owned device) |
| What happens during an adjustment event and/or Energy Savings Day? | Participants voluntarily reduce their energy use by raising their thermostat temperature and unplugging or delaying the use of electronic devices between the hours of 2 – 6 p.m. |
BGE will cycle your air conditioning on and off for a period of time each hour, based on your participation level. On an Energy Savings Day, PeakRewardsSM participants’ air conditioners are automatically cycled up to 50%. |
BGE will raise the temperature on your thermostat up to 4 degrees. If an adjustment event coincides with an Energy Savings Day, Connected Rewards participants who further reduce their energy usage between 2 – 6 p.m. can receive a bill credit of $1.25 for every kilowatt-hour saved compared to their typical usage on days with similar weather. |
| Reward for participating | Bill credits at $1.25 per kWh reduced during an event compared your normal use | Existing customers earn $12.50 – $25 per month based on their participation level. | A $50 Visa eGift card at enrollment and a $50 annual eGift card (per thermostat) each year you participate. Annual eGift cards are typically sent around October. |
| Program period | June through September | June through September* | June through September* |
| Number of events per Summer season** | Up to 3 | Up to 3 events + 1 PJM In-Season Test Event | Up to 14 adjustment events |
| How to participate | Sign up for Energy Savings Day Alerts | PeakRewardsSM is no longer accepting new enrollment. | See if your smart thermostat is eligible for Connected Rewards. |
*PeakRewards and Connected Rewards devices are required to respond to PJM Emergency Events, which can be called outside of “core hours” and can be activated May – October.
** Defined as June through September
