Maryland residents who get electricity through BGE recently had the chance to clear out some of their most power-hungry household appliances and get paid for it in the process
Qualifying room air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and fridges brought in up to $50 apiece at a Sept. 19 recycling event in Columbia.
Here's what to know
According to The Baltimore Sun, customers could bring eligible small appliances to 9450 Gerwig Lane in Columbia on Sept. 19 between 8 a.m. and noon for a recycling event hosted by BGE and the Columbia Association. Rewards of either $25 or $50 were mailed out for each approved unit.
The event was part of BGE's larger Appliance Recycling program, which also offers free, scheduled pickups, according to the company's website.
Participants needed either their BGE account number or a recent electric bill to participate. On-site workers helped unload appliances, but only units that are clean, dry, and working qualify. BGE said payment should arrive by mail in about six to eight weeks.
Cynthia Edwards, senior efficiency program manager at BGE, explained the broader purpose of the effort to The Sun.
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"The goal is to get these old, inefficient appliances off the grid so that they can purchase more energy-efficient appliances," Edwards said.
Older secondary appliances, especially mini fridges, dehumidifiers, and window AC units, can increase a household's electricity use.
Trading them in can mean money back upfront and lower energy costs over time if families replace them with more efficient models or stop using an unnecessary extra unit altogether.
More background
This drop-off has brought two to three appliance recycling events to its service area each year since around 2013. The Sun reported BGE said customers have recycled more than 5,912 appliances, totaling 183 tons of waste.
That kind of diversion keeps bulky appliances out of the waste stream and helps recover materials for reuse instead of disposal.
Older cooling and moisture-control appliances often use more electricity than newer models, so removing an inefficient spare unit can help reduce utility bills while also easing strain on the grid.
Edwards added that the focus is on appliances still being run at home, rather than old units that have been sitting unused.
What can be done?
For BGE customers who missed the event, a scheduled pickup is an easy alternative and free of charge. The company caps each household at three large appliances and four small appliances for drop-off events and pickup orders.
Before the pickup, consumers should make sure they are abiding by the requirements and limits on the program's website. Edwards elaborated further on the gains from swapping out old appliances.
"We're not just your spring cleaning," Edwards told the Sun. "We're assuming that we're saving energy by pulling something that you've been using that's inefficient up versus something that's just been sitting in a garage for a long time."
Where can I learn more?
Maryland households can use the rewards to offset proposed rate hikes that are on the horizon. Fortunately, there are other ways to tap into aid and savings for households who are struggling to pay.
• Maryland residents can tap up to $2,000 in aid alongside rebates and bill-cutting habits.
• Maryland BGE customers could see pay $8 more each month under a proposed rate hike.
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