In response to spikes in energy use from
record cold temperatures, the company is offering immediate
enrollment into its Budget Billing program, which spreads payments
out over a 12 month period
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) reminds customers that
although commodity prices remain stable, extreme weather can
trigger an increase in usage, which may result in
higher-than-normal energy bills. BGE is offering customers budget
billing and other payment options to help better manage winter
bills.
For the period of Nov. 1, 2014 through Feb. 22, 2015, central
Maryland experienced 1,001 hours when temperatures were at or below
freezing, making February 2015 36 percent colder-than-normal.
“While we can’t control the weather, we can control how we use
energy, even during periods of extremely cold temperatures,” said
Rob Biagiotti, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE.
“Even when the thermostat is kept at the same temperature, heating
units must work harder to maintain the set temperature. Without
taking steps to save energy during these times, energy bills will
reflect additional usage and will likely be higher than in months
when temperatures are more moderate. We encourage all customers to
think about simple steps they can take in their home to save energy
each day, no matter the temperature outside.”
Customers who heat with older model electric heat pumps are
especially vulnerable to sharp increases in usage when auxiliary
heating is activated during cold weather. On days when the
temperature dips below freezing, a heat pump can use 2 to 3 times
as much energy as it does compared to periods when the temperature
is above 30 to 40 degrees.
Tracking Energy Use: BGE.com/MyAccount
“Although colder temperatures are the primary driver for
increased energy use during the heating season, there are many
other contributing factors, some of which may not be as obvious,”
said Biagiotti. “When it’s bitter cold outside, many families spend
more time at home, cooking, watching television, and using
computers and other electronics. While we can’t control the
weather, customers can control how they use energy, even during
periods of extreme temperatures.”
BGE encourages customers with smart meters to log on to
bge.com/MyAccount to track their daily energy usage, see how
weather effects their monthly bill, compare their energy usage to
their neighbors and review personalized tips to save energy.
Customers can also sign up for text and email alerts when their
energy use is leading to a higher-than-usual bill, so they can make
adjustments to manage their bill before it arrives.
New Budget Billing and Payment Options
In direct response to spikes in customer usage from record cold
temperatures, BGE is offering customers immediate enrollment into
its Budget Billing program, which spreads payments out over a 12
month period, reducing seasonal increases in energy usage.
Typically the enrollment process takes a full billing cycle.
Customers interested in immediate enrollment into Budget Billing
may do so on BGE’s automated system at 1.800.685.0123, online at
bge.com or by speaking with a customer care representative either
by calling or sending an email to MyHomeRep@bge.com.
BGE is also offering customers with higher-than-normal bills
from December and January the option of enrolling in the company’s
retroactive budget billing option, which will incorporate their
current winter bills (up to $500) into their budget billing amount.
Customers who wish to enroll in retroactive Budget Billing should
call BGE at 800.685.0123 or send an email to MyHomeRep@bge.com and
the company will incorporate their current winter bills. Customers
already enrolled in Budget Billing do not need to call. Customers
who may have more than $500 in arrearages are encouraged to call
BGE to discuss their payment options as well.
For customers who purchase their gas and electric supply from
BGE, the new Budget Billing amount would reflect the total BGE
bill, including commodity and delivery amounts. For customers who
purchase their supply from a third-party supplier, the Budget
Billing amount will only cover the BGE delivery service charges.
Some third-party suppliers may offer a similar service as BGE’s
Budget Billing program, but others do not. Customers who currently
purchase their supply from a third-party supplier and wish to know
their billing options should reach out directly to their
supplier.
Energy Assistance
BGE encourages customers not to wait until they are in crisis to
ask for help but rather to contact the Maryland Office of Home
Energy Programs online or by calling 1.800.352.1446 to apply for
available energy assistance. Qualifying customers can apply for
grants at any OHEP office during normal business hours. Customers
who need aid beyond the OHEP grant may contact the Fuel Fund of
Maryland as well as other community based organizations. For more
information on state income guidelines and for information on where
and how to apply for assistance, contact the Office of Home Energy
Programs (OHEP) at 800-352-1446. Residents of Baltimore City should
call 410-396-5555.
Dollar Donation Fund and Gift of Energy Program
Through BGE’s Dollar Donation Fund, customers are able to
designate a modest donation to the Fuel Fund and have it added to
their BGE bill each month. When a monthly bill is paid in full, BGE
will forward the contribution directly to the Fuel Fund. These
donations are all tax-deductible and the Fuel Fund will send
customers a summary of their donations for their records after the
end of the year. Customers may stay enrolled for as long as they
wish, change their donation amount or withdraw from the program at
any time. To participate in the Dollar Donation Fund visit bge.com
to complete a simple form, or call BGE at 800.685.0123. For more
information visit the Fuel Fund online.
Individuals may also consider helping a specific customer with
their BGE bill by donating through the Gift of Energy program.
Using a special form available on bge.com, customers are able to
make donations of any amount to the accounts of specific customers.
Donations will apply on a future bill as a credit to the
recipients’ BGE account. The recipient will be notified that they
have received a gift credit. The donors may also notify the
recipients or remain anonymous. The Gift of Energy recipient can be
any BGE customer and does not have to qualify for energy assistance
or any special programs. The Gift of Energy form can be found on
bge.com and includes instructions on where to mail the special form
and payment. Customers can also place a Gift of Energy order by
calling BGE at 888.232.0088 (there is a $2.00 fee from a third
party for this service, and you must have the gift recipient’s name
and address).
Energy Saving Tips
Customers are encouraged to visit bge.com/WinterReady for a
variety of low-to-no-cost tips to make homes more energy efficient,
saving energy and money. The following are steps that all customers
can take to reduce energy consumption and lower heating bills:
- Manage your thermostat. During
the winter, for systems other than heat pumps, set thermostats at
68 degrees F, if health allows. Customers who heat their homes with
a heat pump should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
optimal energy efficiency.
- Take advantage of natural
sunlight. Open curtains and drapes during the day, to let the
sun warm your home, and close them at night for insulation.
- Do not heat unused spaces. Close
the vents and doors to unused rooms, closets and basements.
- Change the furnace filter
regularly. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work
harder.
- Inspect your furnace. Have the
furnace checked by a licensed professional to be sure it is
operating efficiently and seal any leaks in furnace ducts. BGE
offers rebates for these and other home efficiency improvements
through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®.
- Insulate your water heater.
Install an approved insulation blanket around the water heater and
insulate the first three feet of water pipe (keep insulation at
least 6 inches from the flue on gas water heaters).
- Lower the temperature on your water
heater to 120 degrees F and conserve hot water when you can.
Lower the temperature if you will be away from home for an extended
time. Heating water is the second largest energy user in your home
in the winter months.
- Caulk and weather strip windows
and doors to keep cold air out.
- Check/add attic insulation to
reach a level of R-38 or 12 inches.
- Wash clothes in cold or warm
water and rinse in cold water to reduce water heater
usage.
- Replace inefficient lighting:
Replace your old standard incandescent bulbs with new compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.
CFLs and LEDs use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent
bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.
- Schedule a BGE Quick Home Energy
Check-up or make your home more efficient with Home Performance
with ENERGY STAR®.
Shopping for a competitive third-party supplier, combined with
the offerings of the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®, provides
customers with many options for reducing their energy bill and
better managing energy costs this winter.
For more information on cold weather energy saving tips, visit
bge.com/WinterReady.
BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest natural
gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25
million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas
customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200
employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of
natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management,
conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance.
BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s
leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of
approximately $27.4 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on
Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE)Rachael Lighty,
rachael.lighty@bge.comBGE Media Hotline: 410-470-7433
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