BGE Encourages Customers to Prepare Homes and Businesses for Winter Months and Provides Important Energy Saving Tips for Cold Weather

As temperatures dip and the colder winter months quickly approach, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) has completed several infrastructure enhancement projects and a comprehensive review of its natural gas and electric systems in advance of the winter heating season. The company completed the review as part of its winter preparedness program, which will help ensure safe and reliable service for BGE’s 1.2 million electric and 655,000 natural gas customers throughout the winter months.

In coordination with several large investment projects, BGE’s comprehensive winter preparedness program focuses on organizational preparedness, system material condition and emergency response posture. Some of the preparations include conducting system operator training, emergency response drills and storm response training for all employees. Tree trimming along more than 2,000 miles of distribution lines has been completed, along with the inspection and maintenance of aerial, underground and substation equipment. Maintenance and testing of various computer and support systems has been performed to assure all systems remain ready and available throughout the winter months. In addition to the comprehensive inspection and maintenance programs, BGE has updated its procedures and ensured that spare and mobile equipment, including transformers, circuit breakers, wires and poles, are ready and available to respond to emergency events.

The company has also secured its natural gas supply and completed filling storage facilities that will serve more than 655,000 BGE natural gas customers this heating season. BGE has invested more than $100 million in the company’s natural gas system this year, which is in addition to equipment inspections, repairs and replacements, as well as preventative maintenance work. This year’s work included the completion of three reinforcement pipelines in Harford County, Baltimore City and Baltimore County to meet the growing needs of customers. BGE also is replacing aging natural gas mains in more than 18 neighborhoods throughout the service area to enhance safety and reliability.

Just as BGE prepares in advance for the winter heating season, the company encourages all customers to prepare their homes and businesses for the colder winter months as well. Customers may visit bge.com/WinterReady for tips and information on saving energy, even on the coldest days. Customers can also find information about “winterizing” their homes and preparing their families for the winter heating season. BGE offers customers a variety of low-to-no-cost ways to make their homes more energy efficient, saving energy and money.

“During the colder months, heating systems typically account for more than 40 percent of customers’ energy bills because extreme weather generally triggers significant increases in energy use at home,” said Carol Dodson, 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. Customers are encouraged to set the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. For every degree below 73 during the colder months, customers may save two to four percent on heating costs. Customers who heat with natural gas should consider setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night.

“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 Dodson. “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.”

The WinterReady section on bge.com is specifically designed to help customers weather the cold temperatures that affect central Maryland each year. The following are steps that all customers can take to reduce energy consumption and lower heating bills:

• Manage your thermostat. Consider a programmable thermostat, which can save 10-25 percent in energy costs all year when programmed to lower temperatures when no one is home in the winter. When used properly, a programmable thermostat with its four temperature settings can save approximately $180 a year in energy costs (Source: ENERGY STAR).
  • During the winter, for systems other than heat pumps, set thermostats at 68 degrees F, if health allows. This can help customers see a 3-4 percent decrease in energy use.
  • Customers who heat their homes with a heat pump should follow manufacturer’s instructions for optimal energy efficiency.
  • Natural gas customers should consider setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night.
• 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®.
• Schedule a BGE Quick Home Energy Check-up or make your home more efficient with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR.
• Change the furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder.
• 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. 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.
• Look for energy-efficient appliances: When shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, look for the ENERGY STAR label. Newer, more energy-efficient models lower monthly operating costs.
• 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.

Shopping for a competitive third-party supplier, combined with the offerings of BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program®, provides customers with many options for reducing their energy bill and better managing energy costs this winter. In addition to rebates for qualifying energy-efficient appliances and price mark-downs on energy-efficient lighting, customers should also consider scheduling a Quick Home Energy Check-up, which consists of a visual inspection of the home to determine its level of energy efficiency and recommendations for improving its efficiency.

BGE also holds smart energy management and energy conservation workshops in communities throughout the year. For more information on upcoming events, visit bge.com. BGE provides customers with its Consumer Reference Book, which is mailed to customers by request and is also available on bge.com.

Although prices remain stable and BGE offers innovative programs, BGE recognizes that there are some customers who may still be challenged to pay their heating bills. For qualifying customers, financial and billing assistance is also available.

Customers may also consider BGE’s Budget Billing program, which evens out payments over a 12-month period so customers are not as affected by increases in usage triggered by extreme weather conditions.

BGE encourages customers not to wait until they are in crisis to ask for help but rather to contact their local Office of Home Energy Programs online or by calling 1.800.352.1446 to apply for energy assistance before receiving a turn-off notice or having service denied.

Winter also brings the potential for severe weather, including snow, ice and high wind and wind gusts, which can result in power outages. BGE appreciates customers’ efforts to prepare in advance for cold weather and to assist BGE by reporting any service issues or down wires, should they occur. Prior to the winter storm season, BGE encourages customers to have essential items and information available, including BGE’s outage reporting number, 877.778.2222. BGE also provides customers with the ability to report power outages online via BGE’s Facebook or Twitter page and on the company’s website, bge.com, which can also be accessed via mobile devices using the mobile-enabled version of bge.com. Customers can visit bge.com to view the company’s outage map and find information about storm preparedness and service restoration. BGE keeps customers informed throughout severe weather events using a variety of channels, including traditional news media, bge.com and its social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr).

For more information on winter weather and storm preparedness, visit bge.com.

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 2013 revenues of approximately $24.9 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.