BGE to Host Two-Day Recycling Drop-Off for Old Room Air Conditioners: May 4-5

Customers can receive $25 per air conditioning unit recycled this weekend at locations in Dundalk and Cockeysville through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program®

BALTIMORE (April 30, 2013) – Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) today announced that the company is hosting a room air conditioning unit recycling drop-off event where BGE residential customers can receive a $25 reward from the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program for bringing in their functional (cooling) air conditioning units to be recycled. The event will be held over two days at two locations on Saturday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sears at Eastpoint Mall in Dundalk, and Sears at Hunt Valley Towne Centre in Cockeysville. The event will be held rain or shine and BGE representatives will be on hand to unload units directly from customers’ vehicles.

 “By recycling an older room air conditioning unit and replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR^® certified model, our customers will increase energy efficiency in their homes, helping them to save money and energy throughout the upcoming warmer summer months,” said Ruth C. Kiselewich, director of demand management programs for BGE. “A new ENERGY STAR certified air conditioner can save approximately $50 in energy costs over the lifetime of the unit.  Not only will customers save money on their energy costs, they’ll also help to prevent old appliances from entering landfills, where they can release harmful toxins and greenhouse gases into the environment.”

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program provides customers with $25 per unit recycled, for up to two room air conditioning units. Units must be in working (cooling) condition to be eligible. Customers will receive a check for $25 approximately four weeks after the event. More information is available at BGESmartEnergy.com/RecycleMyAC or 866.898.1901.

In addition to the $25 recycling reward, BGE offers $25 mail-in rebates for new, high-efficiency ENERGY STAR certified room A/C units through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program. Both Sears locations participating in the recycling drop-off will have qualifying models available for purchase during the event. An ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioning unit uses at least 10 percent less energy than a conventional model, which can save approximately $50 in energy costs over the lifetime of the unit.

BGE also offers a $50 reward for recycling old, working refrigerators or freezers through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program. To participate, customers can contact BGE to schedule a pick-up and BGE will haul away the old refrigerators and freezers at no additional cost. There is a limit of two refrigerators or freezers per household. Appliances must be in working (cooling) condition and measure 10 to 27 cubic feet, which is standard for most refrigerators and freezers. Room air conditioning units also may be recycled through this program, but only if picked up at the same time as a refrigerator or freezer. Appointments are required and available through BGERecycleMyOldFridge.com or 866.898.1901.

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program is a suite of programs that enable all customers to control energy use, leading to more efficient use of electricity and lowering energy bills from where they otherwise would be. Collectively, the programs help contain the cost of energy and improve reliability. The programs also help to reduce peak demand and slow the growth in energy consumption to lessen the need for more power plants. BGE offers energy-saving solutions for renters, homeowners, large and small business customers, non-profits and institutional customers. More information is available at BGESmartEnergy.com.  These programs support the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act.

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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of 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 2012 revenues of approximately $23.5 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.