The Compressor is the part of an air conditioning system that pumps the refrigerant that transfers the heat and humidity from inside your home to the outside. It makes the cool air.

Cycling refers to the amount of time each hour that the electricity to air conditioning (A/C) compressor or electric hot water heater is adjusted on and off during a PeakRewards℠ event.

BGE is required by PJM, the grid operator for the mid-Atlantic region to activate its PeakRewards℠ program when regional demand for electricity is close to surpassing supply. This type of event is usually called to avoid potential brownouts and rolling blackouts area-wide.

Events will typically occur during the summer months of May through September but can happen during other months throughout the year. Cycling typically occurs Monday-Friday but 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 need for BGE to reduce electric usage. It generally begins between 12 pm and 3 pm and could last 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. If an emergency event is called, generally it will last until the situation is averted. Additionally, even after the emergency event ends, there will be a transition period until full operation of your unit is restored. Please make sure that your cycling level still fits the needs of your family in advance of cycling season.

For A/C program participants, your cycling level directly relates to the length of time cooling from your air conditioner will be interrupted during Emergency Events and the credits you receive for participating in the program. You can request to change your cycling level at any time and this change will typically take effect in 24-48 hours, but changes may take up to five business days in certain circumstances.

A/C Program Cycling Overview

Load Management programs are designed to manage customer use of electricity in response to periods of very high electricity usage and/or pricing. Having customers reduce their energy use at critical times or in response to market prices, such as with PeakRewards, benefits you, the community, and the environment. By effectively managing electricity supply, you are helping to avoid building new power plants to meet the growing demand and keeping the price of electricity lower than it otherwise would be.

Consists of power generation plants and delivery systems including transmission and distribution lines.

The amount of electricity reduced during periods of high usage.

An independent administrative agency within the Executive Branch of State government that regulates public utilities’ services and programs.

A Smart Technology device that receives a Radio Signal to begin the Cycling process, which turns the air conditioning Compressor off and on for short periods of time, typically in the summer when electricity demand is at its peak. It is mounted near your outdoor air conditioning unit, typically on your house.

A customer may override up to two Energy Savings Days per summer; however, a customer may not override an emergency event or the transition out of an emergency event. Additionally, customers may not change cycling levels, nor exit the program during an emergency event and the transition out of this event. When the emergency event ends, BGE will transition all air conditioning program participants to a lower cycling level for a brief period of time to avoid large and sudden increases in electric demand which may cause reliability concerns. Also, if you scheduled an override and an emergency event is called on the day you scheduled your override, the override will be cancelled. An Override can be scheduled in advance or at the beginning of an Energy Savings Day by calling the PeakRewards customer hotline at: 1.888.309.PEAK (7325) or via the web. Click here to learn more about Online Access.

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 of power.

A legacy BGE load management program, which offers qualified residential customers who have central air conditioning or electric heat pumps the opportunity to decrease their carbon footprint by helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the hottest days. In return, participants will receive monthly bill credits.

A Regional Transmission Organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. PJM’s obligation as a federally regulated RTO means that it acts independently and impartially in monitoring reliability and managing the regional transmission system and the wholesale electricity market.

Refers to the broadcasting communication sent from BGE to the Outdoor Switch, Programmable Thermostat or ecobee Smart Thermostat which periodically interrupts the flow of electricity to the Compressor on your air conditioner or heat pump for a period of time during a PeakRewards Cycling Event.

The Electric Delivery Infrastructure consisting of a network of lines, which supply the electric current coming into your home or business from the generation plants. It is designed to maintain a dynamic balance between the consumer demand for electricity and the amount being supplied by generators.

Technologically advanced load control devices with enhanced communication, which BGE can use during a Load Management Event