WASHINGTON (AP) — Pepco says it plans to test a Maryland program used during times of peak electricity demand, a voluntary program where customers’ air conditioners are briefly turned off.

Pepco says it’s planning a test of the “Energy Wise Rewards” program Thursday. Customers who participate in the program agree to have their air conditioning turned off for periods of time during periods of peak electricity use. Customers receive a reduction on their bills in return. Pepco has more than 100,000 participants in Maryland and recently launched the program in Washington.

Pepco says it plans to run Thursday’s test between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Before any actual high use days Pepco plans to let customers know the day before. Pepco says most participants notice little if any change to their homes’ temperature.

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