Refusing to part with your old refrigerator or freezer might be costing you more than you realize. According to BGE, old refrigerators and freezers require an average of 700 to 1,600 kilowatt-hours to operate, which amounts to at least a $100 increase in your annual energy bill.

In an effort to conserve energy (and your cash) BGE will pick up and recycle household appliances to produce new raw materials. It’s all part of their appliance recycling program, which was designed to encourage the installation of energy efficient technologies and to reduce the amount of waste that enters local landfills. Approximately 95% of each appliance that BGE collects is properly destroyed and recycled. What’s more, you’ll receive $50 for each working refrigerator/freezer you turn in.

How it works:

•You must be a BGE residential electric customer with a valid account number.
•You must own the refrigerator or freezer and it must be 10-27 cubic feet.
•Your appliance must be in working (cooling) condition.
•Your appliance will be picked up, at no charge, from the address listed on your billing account.
•The $50 reward will be mailed to you within four weeks after pick up of your refrigerator or freezer.
•Limit of 2 appliances per household

To read more or to schedule a pick up, visit the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program web site.

Image courtesy of Zoonie.