BGE Energy Shift Challenge

Energy Shift Challenge Details

What is the Energy Shift Challenge, and how do I play?

The Energy Shift Challenge is a game that rewards customers when they shift their energy use from peak hours to off-peak hours. Customers who use less than 23% of their total energy use during peak periods, on average, per month, receive 15 game points to spend at the Rewards Store at the end of every month.

Customers compete against each other to top our Energy Shift Challenge leaderboard.

Constellation may also call special Peak Events throughout the year that allow people to receive bonus points when they do things like share energy-saving tips via social media.

What are peak hours?

Peak hours are when demand for electricity is the highest. Utilities and energy providers monitor consumer behavior to ensure customers like you always have electricity when you need it. However, energy during these hours is costly, and in cases of extreme overconsumption during these hours, stress to the electricity grid can cause extremely high bills for customers or even blackouts. We can avoid this by using more of our energy during off-peak hours.

What are off-peak hours?

Off-peak hours are hours when demand for electricity is lowest among general consumers. These are also times when energy is priced at its lowest. When consumers like you are conscious and smart with their energy usage, it allows utilities and energy providers, like Constellation, to keep their energy rates low and provide more sustainable, reliable energy supply.

When are peak hours?

Peak hours vary by month and season. Avoid over-consumption of high-energy use activities during these hours:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep: 3pm – 8pm
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr: 7am - 10 am and 5pm - 8pm

Who can participate in the Energy Shift Challenge?

The Energy Shift Challenge is open to customers who reside in the BGE service territory and switch to the Constellation Energy Shift Rewards plan.

Do I Need to Change My Utility or Energy Provider?

You must be a Constellation customer to participate, so if you are a current BGE customer, you must sign up on the Constellation Energy Shift Rewards energy plan. Your bill will look the same and will still come from BGE, the only difference may be a line or two on your bill that indicates you receive electricity from a third-party supplier.

What will my energy rate be?

On the Constellation Peak Prizes plan, you get a price-matched, no-competition rate equal to the BGE Standard Offer Service (SOS) rate, which means your energy rate will always match the current BGE SOS rate. Our plan contract term is 12 months long, but your rate can change if the BGE SOS rate changes at any point during that term. Regardless of the rate, you’ll have access to our rewards and opportunities to win prizes for the full 12 months you are enrolled on the Constellation Energy Shift Rewards plan.

What are the benefits of participating?

You get points for participating and using your energy wisely, but there is also no penalty for simply using your energy as normal! We’ll never charge you extra for not meeting targets or not participating in Peak Events.

Your points can be used to redeem anything from smart home devices, fitness products and more from our Rewards Store! Using your points on smart energy devices can also help you keep you save money and keep your energy usage out of peak hours to help you climb our leaderboard.

Is there any risk in participating in this Challenge? Can my bill go up?

There are no risks in playing this game. You simply do not receive points if you are not successful at shifting or reducing enough of your energy use during peak hours, but this will never affect your energy rate or bill. We will never charge you any fees for not meeting goals or choosing not to participate in Peak Events, and there is no early termination fee for this plan.

How do I get points?

You’ll receive points by using less energy during peak hours. If you can successfully spend less than 23% of your average energy use during peak hours, we’ll award you 15 points at the end of the month on a virtual gift card to spend at our Rewards Store.

How are points calculated?

Constellation will calculate your average monthly energy use during peak and non-peak hours. If you successfully use less than 23% of your total energy use during peak hours, on average, per month, we’ll award you 15 points plus any points you’ve accumulated that month from Peak Events.

When will I receive my points?

Emails will be sent out at the end of every month with your points if you are eligible to receive them.

New to Constellation?

Constellation is a retail energy provider that works with your local utility to provide you the same electricity you need at home, but in a competitive rate structure that may or may not be lower than your utility. For BGE customers, your bill will look the same and will still come from BGE. The only difference may be a line or two on your bill that indicates you receive electricity from a third-party supplier.

In order to participate in the Energy Shift Challenge, you must sign up to be a Constellation customer, but your rate with this plan will always match BGE’s current rate.