BGE FAQ - How the Program Works - Connected Savings℠

How the Program Works

What are the eligibility requirements?

Participants must be BGE customer-members in good standing who have a heat pump or central air conditioning and who reside in a single-family residential home or individually metered townhouse or condominium. Participants must have a qualifying connected thermostat model that is connected to Wi-Fi internet. To be eligible, you must have:

Wi-Fi network
An approved Honeywell Home Wi-Fi thermostat that controls the home’s heating and cooling systems

Honeywell Home (fka Lyric) Thermostats:

Lyric T6
Lyric Round Wi-Fi Thermostat
Lyric T5 Wi-Fi
Lyric Round Second Generation

Honeywell Home TCC Thermostats:

Wi-Fi FocusPRO (6000)
Wi-Fi VisionPRO (8000)
Wi-Fi 9000 7-Day Programmable Thermostat (with or without Voice Control)
Wi-FI Smart Thermostat (with or without Voice Control)
Wi-FI 7-Day Programmable Touchscreen Thermostat
Wi-FI 7-Day Programmable Thermostat

What is Connected Savings?

Connected Savings is a service provided by Resideo Technologies at no cost to you, thanks to your Utility. With your help, we can minimize energy usage by reducing energy waste through your smart thermostat! By giving Connected Savings permission to make minor adjustments to your thermostat, we can provide comfort when your home and maximize your savings while you’re gone. Don’t worry, you have ultimate control of your home’s environment at all times.

Why am I being offered Connected Savings at no cost?

Connected Savings is working with energy providers in Maryland to identify energy efficiency savings opportunities. The goal is to better understand the benefits and savings potential of thermostat optimization. Participants can opt-out anytime at their convenience and there is no cost to participate in this program.

How will my data be used?

Your data will enable BGE and Connected Savings to evaluate energy savings in residential homes in selected climate zones in the state of Maryland. Any information shared with BGE and Connected Savings will be subject to Whisker Labs privacy terms.

Connected Savings uses data from your Wi-Fi thermostat, and local, real-time weather data to develop an energy model of your home to understand how it responds to varying local weather conditions.

How does weather impact my heating and cooling costs?

The weather has a significant impact on the thermodynamics of every building – changing the length of time it takes to heat up or cool down; the amount of heating or cooling loss through walls, windows and cracks; and the amount of energy required to keep occupants comfortable. For example, the amount of energy an air conditioning unit uses to cool a building varies with outside air temperature—the hotter it is outside, the harder the air conditioner has to work to keep the building cool.

Temperature, humidity, wind and heat from the sun are the next largest factors in determining how much you pay to keep your home comfortable. Connected Savings optimizes energy use and lowers energy bills by understanding current and expected local weather conditions, and how a home will react to them.

How do I un-enroll or opt-out of Thermostat Optimization Program?

You can unenroll at any time. Please call 1-800-685-7377 or email BGESmartThermostat@icf.com if you would like to unenroll.