Frequently Asked Questions
Energy Wise Rewards is a voluntary program available to customers who want to save on their energy bill. When you enroll, we’ll connect an indoor Energy Wise Rewards programmable thermostat or an outdoor switch near your central air conditioning unit or heat pump. On select days from June through October, we’ll automatically cycle participating central air conditioners and heat pumps to help balance the region’s demand for electricity. These events are known as “conservation periods.” The more participants in the program, the greater the likelihood of reduced duration for any single conservation period. Energy Wise Rewards works best when it is truly a community-wide effort. For participating in the program, you can receive up to $16 in monthly bill credits.
To qualify for Energy Wise Rewards, you should be a homeowner or a resident in a multiple dwelling complex, with either a central air conditioning unit or heat pump and receive an electric bill directly from Delmarva Power.
The following equipment does not qualify for Energy Wise Rewards and is therefore unable to receive an energy-saving device:
Geothermal heat pumps (also known as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground source, or water source heat pumps)
Evaporative coolers (also known as swamp, desert, or air coolers)
Thermostats controlled by an alarm or automation systems
Still have questions about whether your home qualifies? Please contact us prior to enrollment at 1-866-353-5799.
Peak energy demand occurs when everyone uses a lot of electricity at the same time, creating stress on the supply of energy. The frequency of critical peak demand periods has increased as the population and the use of electric products has increased. Energy Wise Rewards is just one way Delmarva Power is managing the rising demand for electricity, averting power outages, and helping the environment by reducing emissions produced on summer days.
The number of conservation periods depends on many factors, including weather, peak electricity demand, and wholesale energy costs. Energy Wise Rewards is only activated during times of high electricity demand, emergency conditions, or system testing. As such, there may be as few as one or two events or as many as a dozen. All customers enrolled in Energy Wise Rewards will be informed prior to a conversation event taking place.
All customers are permitted to opt out of two events per season. Participants who wish to opt out will need to call our Energy Wise Rewards customer hotline at 1-866-353-5799. If PJM Interconnection initiates an emergency event, customers will not be permitted to opt out. PJM Interconnection is the operator that manages the power grid for our region. If PJM Interconnection initiates an emergency event, customers will not be permitted to opt out because these events are critical to maintaining energy grid reliability and reducing the risk of widespread power outages.
For participants in the program with a medical or health condition, we want to make sure you are aware that the temperature inside your home could increase during a conservation period (depending on your cycling level), and please take that into consideration before enrolling. Only you can decide what’s appropriate for you. Should you need assistance during an event, please call the same hotline to opt out immediately.
Depending on the level of participation you choose, you may or may not notice that an Energy Wise Rewards conservation period is even occurring. During a conservation period, the temperature in a typical home may rise 1-3 degrees (50% cycling level), 2-4 degrees (75% cycling level), or 4-7 degrees (100% cycling level). Variables such as home insulation, shaded windows, the addition of ceiling fans, and the amount of foot traffic can also affect the temperature in your home.
When a conservation period is called, your device will receive a radio signal that will put your cooling unit’s compressor into a “conservation mode.” For instance, if you elect 50% cycling, your compressor will operate half the time it did during the hour prior to the conservation period. The fan will continue circulating air even though the compressor has reduced operating time.
A PJM emergency conservation event is called when electricity demand is exceptionally high, such as during periods of extreme heat. PJM Interconnection oversees the energy grid across the region and may call these events to help maintain grid reliability and reduce strain on the electric system. As an Energy Wise Rewards participant, your enrolled device may be cycled for short periods to help reduce electricity demand.
By participating in the Energy Wise Rewards program, you're helping reduce demand during periods of peak usage. When thousands of customers participate together, it helps support a more reliable energy grid for everyone.
No. Customers enrolled in the legacy Energy Wise Rewards Program are not able to override participation during a PJM emergency conservation event. If you have a medical or health concern or require immediate assistance, please call the customer hotline at 1-866-353-5799.
The duration of a PJM emergency conservation event depends on grid conditions. Events are typically several hours long and will conclude once emergency conditions have ended.
Conservation events typically occur on weekday afternoons and can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. If PJM Interconnection calls for a conservation period for reliability reasons, it will last until the situation is resolved; therefore, Delmarva Power cannot state how long an event of this type may last. Customers who participate in Energy Wise Rewards with their own smart thermostat may opt out by adjusting their thermostat.
No. Participation is voluntary, and there is no cost to participate.
Yes. Energy Wise Rewards has been designed to meet your changing needs. During your first year of participation, you may switch your participation level up to two times. In subsequent years, you may change your participation level once per year. If you would like to switch your device type, please contact the customer hotline at 1-866-353-5799 to request and schedule the change.
Check your programmable thermostat. When a conservation period occurs, the LED will glow red and the display will read “SAVE” or “Event in Progress” for the duration of the period. The center of the control arrows will maintain a steady light for the duration of the period.
If you have an outdoor switch, you will need to go outside to inspect the device, these are typically mounted next to your outdoor air conditioning unit. A red LED will appear in the window of the outdoor switch throughout the conservation period.
Additional communications regarding conservation events will be sent out to enrolled Energy Wise Rewards participants via email. Delmarva Power web banners notifying of ongoing conservation periods are also added to the Energy Wise Rewards webpage.
Yes. Maryland, the District of Columbia (DC), and the broader region are experiencing increasing electric demand while the supply of available power is becoming tighter. Extreme weather can put even more pressure on the energy grid, making emergency events more likely during the summer and other periods of high energy demand. Customers are expected to participate in these events in accordance with the program rules and customer agreement.
Delmarva Power customers use more energy during the summer season than at other times of the year. As the area grows and more new and existing customers install central air conditioners, demand for electricity reaches higher peaks in the summer, putting a strain on the energy grid. Participating in Energy Wise Rewards helps reduce strain on the electric grid, helping reduce the risk of brownouts and blackouts during periods of high energy demand.
In order to receive all of the available credits in a calendar year, your device must be installed prior to your June bill. Although Delmarva Power cannot guarantee installation, if you enroll and schedule your appointment before March 30, you are most likely to have the device installed prior to your June bill (even if you receive your bill early in June).
Yes, only you can decide what’s appropriate for you. The temperature inside your home will increase during a conservation period, and you should take that into consideration before enrolling. If that does not work for your household, you can also choose to purchase, or enroll, an eligible smart thermostat in the program here.
Fiction: “The Energy Wise Rewards programmable thermostat will allow Delmarva Power to change my home temperature over the Internet.”
Fact: You—and only you—have control of temperature settings. Delmarva Power can only send a signal to cycle your A/C compressor during a conservation period or other system emergency.
Fiction: “I need an Internet connection to participate in Energy Wise Rewards.”
Fact: You only need a central air conditioner or heat pump to participate. Certain devices, like the outdoor switch and some programmable thermostats receive radio signals to begin a conservation period, and do not rely on the Internet.
Fiction: “I already have a programmable thermostat, so there’s no reason for me to participate in Energy Wise Rewards.”
Fact: If you already have a programmable thermostat, you can help your community even more by participating in Energy Wise Rewards. Using an Energy Wise Rewards programmable thermostat allows customers to increase grid reliability during times of peak demand and customers are rewarded with bill credits on their summer electricity bills for participating.
Fiction: “If I participate in this program, I will use more electricity getting my house back to the setting I like when the conservation period ends—and my A/C will need to work harder.”
Fact: Even though your system is likely to operate at its full output to reach your chosen set temperature once the conservation period is over, generally the system will return to full operation at a gradual pace after the conservation period. Additionally, the savings realized during the conservation period offset the energy used to return to normal operations.
*EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. To learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate, click here.