​WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 6, 2021) – October is Energy Awareness Month, and Pepco is encouraging customers to take energy efficient steps in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's 2021 theme, "Leading by Example." By taking just a few easy energy efficient steps, customers will decrease their energy bill and their energy use and have a positive impact on the environment.

In addition to recognizing October as Energy Awareness Month, a proclamation to celebrate Energy Efficiency Day on October 6 was signed by Mayor Muriel Bowser in the District of Columbia. The Council of the District of Columbia also approved a Ceremonial Resolution recognizing this day and the Montgomery County Council in Maryland also advanced a proclamation to declare the day this year. With the increased focus on the important impacts energy efficiency has in achieving regional clean energy and climate goals, Pepco is calling on customers to take action, lead by example, and implement steps that can help reduce the amount of energy it takes to power their daily lives. Customers in the District and Maryland who are homeowners or renters on any budget can take advantage of Pepco's programs that help them save energy and money during Energy Awareness Month and all year long.

The first step in being energy aware is understanding how and when you use energy. Customers are encouraged to sign up for My Account online to review energy usage, sign up for high energy usage alerts, receive details on how much energy they have saved and how their savings compare to others, and receive tips on how to reduce energy use based on energy usage patterns. All Pepco customers can also participate in Energy Wise Rewards^®, which will automatically send a signal to the participant's thermostat or outdoor switch to cycle air conditioners during a Peak Savings Day.

In Maryland, customers can increase energy efficiency by scheduling a Pepco Quick Home Energy Check-Up (QHEC). At no additional cost, an Energy Analyst will evaluate a home's heating and cooling systems, windows, and doors and teach the customer how their home uses energy and how to reduce it.

Additionally, under the EmPower Maryland program, Pepco customers can take advantage of energy and cost saving programs that suit their household's needs. For example, they can get $50 when they recycle an old refrigerator or freezer, receive discounts on energy efficiency products at Pepco's online Marketplace, and get rebates on ENERGY STAR^® certified appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and dehumidifiers.

Customers in the District can also save with a variety of programs, such as appliance rebates, heating and cooling rebates and Solar For All offered from the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU). Pepco also encourages all District residents to engage with Reduce Energy Use DC by taking the pledge to use fight climate change and less energy at reduceenergyusedc.com. Pepco also recently proposed a suite of energy efficiency programs in the District aimed at building on existing DCSEU offerings to help our customers use even less energy. Read more about that proposal here.

Additional tips anyone can use to save energy include:

• Unplug unused electrical devices when you leave a room. Chargers use energy when left plugged in after your device is fully charged
• Weatherize your home. Apply weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows to help keep heat or cool air from your system inside your home
• Maintain home heating and cooling equipment. Get your heating and cooling equipment tuned up periodically by a professional service representative
• Check your thermostat. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter, and higher in the summer, if health permits
• Check for air leaks. Check the ductwork for air leaks about once a year if you have a forced-air heating system. To do this, feel around the duct joints for escaping air when the fan is on. Relatively small leaks can be easily repaired by covering holes or cracks with duct tape. More stubborn problems may require caulking as well as taping
• Dust or vacuum radiators. Dust and grime impede the flow of heat; keeping them clean helps radiators maintain their efficiency
• Install storm windows. Combination screen and storm windows are the most convenient because they can be opened easily when there's no need to run heating or cooling equipment
• Adjust your blinds. Raise your blinds in the winter to let warm sunlight into your home, and lower the blinds in the summer to keep cool air inside
  

To learn more about all of Pepco's programs to help you save energy and money, visit: pepco.com/SaveEnergy.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, our online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/pepcoconnect and on Twitter at twitter.com/pepcoconnect. Pepco's mobile app is available at pepco.com/mobileapp.