BGE Smart Energy Savers Program Offers Discounts for Recycling Air Conditioners, Dehumidifiers

From the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program:

BGE announced Friday, June 24 that it will hold a recycling drop-off event in Columbia on Saturday, June 25, where BGE customers can drop off their old working room A/C units and dehumidifiers for recycling. For each appliance recycled, customers will receive a $25 reward from the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program® for up to two air conditioning units and/or dehumidifiers per residential account.

The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Columbia SportsPark, located at 5453 Harpers Farm Rd. The event will be held rain or shine, and BGE representatives will be on hand to unload the eligible appliances from customers’ vehicles.

Units must be in working condition to be eligible. Customers will receive a check for $25 in the mail approximately four to six weeks after the event.

“Older room air conditioning units and dehumidifiers are less energy efficient than newer models, so many customers areupgrading to ENERGY STAR® certified models that use 15 percent less energy than standard models, and that saves on energy costs,” said Chris Walls, manager of energy efficient programs for BGE. “Recycling your old appliances helps prevent them from entering landfills, where they can release harmful toxins and greenhouse gases into the environment. By participating in this event, BGE customers are helping Maryland reduce energy use and waste.”

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program also offers a $50 reward for recycling old working refrigerators and freezers. To participate, customers can contact BGE to schedule a pickup, and BGE will haul away their old refrigerators and freezers at no additional cost. Each household is limited to recycling two refrigerators or freezers through this program. Appliances must be in working (cooling) condition and measure 10 to 30 cubic feet, which is the standard size for most refrigerators and freezers. Room air-conditioning units and dehumidifiers also may be recycled through this program, but only if picked up at the same time as an eligible refrigerator or freezer. Appointments are required and can be scheduled online or by phone via (866) 898-1901.

The BGE Smart Energy Savers Program is a suite of programs that enable customers to control energy use, leading to more efficient use of electricity and lowering energy bills. The programs have provided $373 million in rebates to BGE customers and have also helped 1.5 million residential and business participants save more than 2.3 million MWh of electricity. Collectively, the programs help contain the cost of energy and improve reliability by reducing peak demand and slowing the growth in energy consumption. Energy-saving solutions are available to renters, homeowners, large and small business customers, nonprofits and institutional customers, and more information can be found through the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program website. These programs support the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act.