Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO) is a utility company and a unit of Exelon Corporation, one of the nation’s leading energy providers. PEPCO is responsible for maintaining and managing power lines that provide power to more than 890,000 customers in areas of Maryland and the District of Columbia. With over 1,400 employees, the utility company covers over 640 square miles and has nine facilities and 156 substations.
PEPCO Power Outage
One of the responsibilities with managing the power lines is resolving power outages that occur within its service area. If you’re living within the PEPCO service area and experience a power outage, then you will need to contact PEPCO. Most power outages can be contributed to bad weather or damage to the lines and wires, such as a fallen branch.
- PEPCO Customer Contact Number: 1-800-643-3768 (DC customers)
- PEPCO Customer Contact Number: 1-800-735-2258 (MD customers)
PEPCO Standard Offer Service
Along with managing power lines, PEPCO is required to provide customers a Standard Offer Service (SOS) for supply services to customers that decide not to switch electric suppliers. The SOS is commonly known as the price to compare. This rate is a variable rate that changes throughout the year. Customers that shop for an alternate electric supplier can use the price to compare to determine energy savings.
PEPCO Energy Wise Rewards Program
PEPCO customers living in the District of Columbia can take steps to reduce energy consumption and save money on the electric bill. Customers may choose to volunteer in PEPCO’s Energy Wise Rewards Program. Upon enrolling in the program, PEPCO will install a web-programmable thermostat that will reduce energy consumption during peak demand in exchange for bill credits. Peak demand periods are when most people are consuming energy. Lowering your usage during these periods will help reduce strain on the electric grid and prevent potential power outages.
This program is also available to PEPCO customers living in Maryland.
Energy Saving Tips
One of the best ways to save on energy in a deregulated electricity market is by comparing electric suppliers and selecting the lowest rate. Lowering the supply rate on the electric bill can help save 10 to 25 percent, depending on current market conditions. However, there are other ways to save on energy that doesn’t involve switching electric suppliers. Below are a few examples of ways to reduce the number of kilowatt-hours that show up on the electric bill. Reducing the monthly kilowatt-hours will add up to greater savings over time.
- Weatherize your Home – This means concealing cracks from doors or windows that may allow air to escape from within your home. Concealing cracks can help keep your house cool during the summer and warm during the winter reducing the amount of work from the A/C and heater.
- Monitor your Thermostat – Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter can help reduce energy consumption and strain on the electric grid.
- Turn on Ceiling Fans – Ceiling fans consume much less energy than the A/C and can help push air through the house, leaving your home feeling cool.
- Install Energy Star Products – Energy Star products have a reputation for using less energy than old conventional products. If you need a new washing machine and/or drying, consider choosing Energy Star.
- LED Light Bulbs – LED light bulbs can use 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and last 25 times longer. It is estimated LED lights can save the average-size household $1,000 over 10 years.
Washington DC Energy Choice
Thanks to legislation passed in 2001 by the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia, residents have the power to choose their electric supplier. Deregulating the electricity markets has allowed outside energy suppliers to provide supply services to residents living in the District of Columbia. Before energy deregulation, the utility companies had a monopoly over all aspects of the electric bill, which includes the delivery and supply charges. If a customer was unhappy with the electric rate, there was nothing they could do.
Energy deregulation has changed the structure of the energy market. The main responsibility of the utility company is assuring the efficiency and reliability of the power grid. The option to choose another electric supplier for power generation is now left up to the customer. The increase in competition from opposing energy suppliers has helped keep energy prices low. It has also increased the variety of energy plans customers can now select from.
Maryland Energy Choice
The state of Maryland took steps to deregulate the energy market in 1999 with the passage of the Electric Customer Choice and Competition Act. The Act required the utility companies to deliver power to customers while allowing electric suppliers to provide supply services to residents in Maryland. The Maryland Public Service Commission requires utility companies to act as the supplier of last resort to customers that don’t switch to a competing energy supplier.
Select an Energy Plan
If you’re living in the District of Columbia, then take advantage of energy choice! The first step in selecting an electric supplier is deciding on the right energy plan. The two most popular plans include fixed and variable rates. If you have a low-risk tolerance, then locking in a long-term fixed rate might be the right choice for you. Below are the pros and cons of the most popular energy plans.
| Electric Rate Products | Pros | Cons |
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Fixed Rate |
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Variable Rate |
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Index Rate |
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Renewable Energy Rates |
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