Eco Alley

Living Green with Connie Pumphrey

We signed up for BGE’s Peak Reward’s program.  Next Saturday, they’re installing the free Honeywell Programmable Thermostat and we’ll receive credits on our electric bill - about $600 over 5 years.
We were part of another BGE program that controlled our hot water heater and we received a $5 credit per month.  The credit is gone but the device is still on our water heater presumably still regulating how often our tank is heated - we’re confirming.
BGE will discontinue the Peak Rewards Program at some point but will continue moving power during peak usage periods to office buildings, etc. and recycle it back to us when we’re home.  The rewards incentive is their way of programming us to use less and share more.
This plan bothers some people but I see it differently.  We had hot water when we needed it and didn’t waste energy during peak usage times.  If our homes are vacant all day, let’s share resources with our corporate neighbors - most of whom employ us - and maximize BGE output.  We can save money in the process.
BGE’s website says:  “By reducing the need for additional electric power generation plants, reducing emissions from future power plants, reducing the need for additional electric infrastructure and reducing the wholesale price of electricity, this program benefits everyone.”  Yes, BGE will likely benefit but they’re a business (an IMPORTANT business) and I see no need to resent them; and we don’t need more power plants mucking up our air quality.
I have not discussed Peak Rewards with our 17 yr old cat even though he’s home all day.  He doesn’t like air conditioning anyhow so spends his day looking for sunny areas to stay warm while he sleeps.

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Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 10/24/10 at 06:01 PM

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