customer service illustration

Jun 26, 2025 | Customer Service | 36 comments

Understanding your bill

Myths vs. Facts

We understand that your electric bill is a primary part of your monthly expenses and it’s important to us to deliver safe, reliable electricity to your home at a fair price.

We’d like to clear up a few misconceptions about your bill. For starters, each section reflects different aspects of how electricity gets delivered and used. And we only have direct control of about half of these charges.

Check it out:

Myth #1 

PPL Electric doesn’t care when customer bills increase. 

Fact 

Customers are understandably concerned about higher bills, and we’re concerned too. While we can’t control market trends, we can empower you with the tools, resources and information needed to manage energy use and explore cost-saving opportunities. We are committed to operating efficiently and controlling the costs that we can while still ensuring reliable service for you.   

Myth #2 

PPL Electric controls every part of the electric bill. 

Fact 

We don’t have direct control over approximately 50% of a residential bill. This portion includes energy supply costs, regulated charges and taxes. If you don’t shop for a third-party electricity supplier, we purchase power for you and pass on the cost of generation supply without markup. We don’t profit from supply costs. 

The other half of the bill is within our control, which includes the costs to maintain the poles, wires and equipment that deliver electricity to your home or business via the distribution and transmission grid. These charges are regulated and vary according to how much electricity you use.  

Myth #3 

PPL Electric benefits from Price to Compare increases.  

Fact 

We do not profit from these increases. The energy supply costs included in the Price to Compare are passed through, without markup, to customers who do not shop for a third-party supplier. Our Price to Compare is fixed for six months and changes twice per year on June 1 and December 1. 

When the Price to Compare increases, it is based on increases in the energy supply market which is outside of our control.  

Myth #4 

There is nothing I can do about my high bills. 

Fact 

We offer a wide range of tools and programs designed to help you manage energy costs and keep monthly bills as predictable and reasonable as possible.  

  • Making bills more predictable and affordable with budget billing, payment plans and due dates to fit your schedule. 
  • Saving energy used at home or work through no-cost and low-cost energy saving programs and products.  
  • Providing bill assistance or support programs if you need help paying your bill, regardless of your income.  
  • Shop for a competitive supplier: Compare offers from third-party suppliers. Visit the PUC’s papowerswitch.com. 

Access these resources and more in one convenient place at pplelectric.com/SeasonalSavings. 

36 Comments

  1. Joyce Weaver

    Thank you for this info.! Usually I do not trust the explanations from businesses. This one is mostly acceptable since I opened the list of “Supply Chain Commodities”. Each one of them is a business concerned with solvency. I had no idea of these costs to supply the energy I need for survival. You folks must be managing well!

    My wish is for continuous decrease in dependence on fossil fuel for the survival of the earth.

    Thank you for providing for my energy needs.

    Reply
  2. Jon J Siegert Jr

    N/A

    Reply
  3. Julius H deMackiewicz

    Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  4. Linda Eitutis

    Have applied for utility aide to pay bill

    Reply
  5. Linda Eitutis

    Applied for utilities grant to pay bill

    Reply
    • Judith A. Malitsch

      Please don’t patronize us by telling.us how to save on electricity! Most of us do conserve to try to keep our bills low but it is increasingly difficult when you raise your rates-16% in June! We have no other choice for transmission-you’re a monopoly! And how about fixing your transmission lines so that every time it storms, our development in Lower Saucon doesn’t lose power. Additionally, please fix the intermittent interruptions we have!!! Don’t lecture us! Keep your costs down and do a better job at transmission.

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        Good afternoon Judith, As you may know, PPL EU is not a Generation Company. We are only the Distribution component of your bill. We deliver your power and do not produce electricity. Generation Suppliers produce electricity. PPL shops for the lowest rate from groups of Generation Supplier then past that rate onto our customers. If the customer does not shop, their account is with us by default. We encourage our customers to shop for a lower rate with Generation Suppliers under http://www.papowerswitch.com. Also, please be aware that we conduct routine tree trimming to remove trees & branches that are affecting wires that run from pole to pole, but not those running from the pole to your home. Please call us to report the tree on the wire at 1-800-342-5775 (say trees on wire during the prompts.) If you have our 10-digit pole number available for the closest pole that would help our team. We appreciate you reaching out with your concern.

        Reply
        • Rick Mosteller

          We were promised stable rates 10 years ago when i helped install the first new natural gas power plants. Now here we are with rates 5 times plus that when it was .022 cents/kwh. All the power saving stuff in the world does not help when rates skyrocket and then you use the price fixing to push and fund solar debt programs. Sure its through a regulatory bill but you have the most power when fighing back against that crap. At this point many of us need free energy for a long time. If i didnt switch to a pellet stove my energy bills would be completely unaffordable in winter. Like 600 bucks a month just to heat a 900 sf home. Thats insane.

          Reply
        • R. Maisano

          How can you say “ PPL shops for the lowest rate from groups of Generation Supplier then past that rate onto our customers “ if I can easily find rates lower than your price to compare from the list of third party suppliers?

          Reply
          • Kathryn

            Good afternoon R. Maisano, This is an excellent question for clarification. PPL Electric Utilities is not a Generation Supply company. We are only a Distribution Company. Unlike Generation Suppliers that generate electric to sell, we shop twice a year from the Generation Suppliers that produce electric to sell to customers. If our customers are not shopping, their account is with our default rate that we have shopped for you. Generation Supplier rates can fluctuate lower than our price to compare for several reasons. They rely heavily on market-based pricing, adjusting their rates according to the changing supply & demand variables. Prices can vary according to regulatory changes, economic & political dynamics, technological advancements and even weather. Thanks for your question.

      • Nik

        My bill has gone up so much this is crazy!How do you expect people to afford this?

        Reply
  6. Linda Eitutis

    Applied for utility grant to pay electric

    Reply
  7. Linda Eitutis

    Utility grant applied for

    Reply
    • Jack

      Why I pay supply to much i don’t supply i want directly ppl pay
      This to much
      1 person home

      Reply
  8. Sheryl

    It is 4 days in to the next billing cycle. When will my bill be available?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good afternoon Sheryl, If you have not received your bill to date, please contact us on Social Media (private/direct message) or call us weekdays 8am-5pm at 1-800-342-5775 so we can assist you. Thanks.

      Reply
  9. Antonio Mercado

    Are you giving me estimated bills?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good afternoon Antonio, Our goal is to always provide actual bills and not estimated bills. Estimated bills are rare. Every bill references Actual or on a rare occasion Estimated. If you have any questions regarding the bill you received, please reach out to us on our website at http://www.pplelectric.com with a private message or a direct message so we can assist. Thanks!

      Reply
    • Michael Boyko

      Yes they don’t actually come read the meters lol, they haven’t in yrs

      Reply
  10. NancyD

    I have “shopped” for my supplier for many years and have been able to keep my costs manageable. It also helps to use budget billing to keep costs relatively level through the year, avoiding high winter heating bills. In general, I believe PPL does serve us well.

    Reply
    • Bryan

      I agree

      Reply
    • Sue

      I agree.

      Reply
  11. John Bawden

    PPL has been the best electric supplier that I have used over 50 years of home ownership and 6 homes.

    Reply
  12. Dennis

    I have solar panels on my roof. How will recent legislation affect me feeding solar back to the grid?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good afternoon Dennis, Pennsylvania residents with solar systems feeding electricity back into the grid primarily benefit from net metering, and while recent discussions and some past regulatory challenges have occurred, current state policies generally remain favorable for homeowners participating in net metering. It’s worth noting that discussions and proposals for changes continue to emerge. One proposed piece of legislation aims to redefine and place more restrictions on net metering, particularly concerning systems that may exceed on-site demand, and potentially eliminate it for some. Additionally, there’s been discussion surrounding the federal solar tax credit and its potential phase-out, though the Inflation Reduction Act extended the 30% credit for solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032. As you know, it’s crucial to stay updated on policy discussions and ensure your system complies with all necessary regulations.

      Reply
  13. Walter Bullett

    Why don’t you comment more forcefully that your customers should shop for their electricity? Place an advertisement in the newspaper. Advertise on the local TV channels. Keep reminding them that they could save money. Especially now that rates are going to rise because of the increase use of electricity in data centers.

    Reply
  14. Michael Geesey

    Please provide an accurate/factual appraisal of the increasingly apparent impact of ever growing giant data centers sucking up 10% or more of generated electricity in their locations. Address the impact this has on price of electricity for residents in their area.

    Reply
  15. Edward F Olearczyk

    I generally support the Utillities. My dad brother and even I worked for one for a few years. They are regulated and in Pa we are lucky to have multiple supply sources. Politics could be worse too. States next door are way more $$ for energy.

    Reply
  16. Ko ko htay

    My address
    Whitehall pa 18052
    My ppl bill a day $ 25.78
    Why I don’t
    Please talk me a month $765

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good afternoon Ko ko htay, We would be happy to assist you with your billing concerns. Please call us weekdays 8am-5pm at 1-800-342-5775 so we can answer your questions & concerns and review programs available to you. Thanks.

      Reply
  17. Stacey Berlinski

    Did Rates go up? We’ve had the highest bill this past cycle that we’ve ever had in the past two years. It just doesn’t make sense.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good morning Stacey, Our residential price to compare increased effective 6/1/2025 – 11/30/2025 to 12.491¢/kWh. This is the rate you’ll pay if you don’t shop. As you may know, PPL is strictly a Distribution Company, not Generation. We participate in a series of competitive auctions designed to secure the least cost over time and that’s what is passed on to customers who do not shop for electricity supply without markup. Please read more about shopping to lower your rate under http://www.pplelectric.com/shopping and papowerswitch.com. Use the Price to Compare, or PPL Electric default rate, as a reference when shopping for electricity suppliers. Electric generation prices are rising all across PA because of energy market conditions.

      Reply
  18. Debra Thielemann

    I am sick of being harrassed by your AI, while it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a human being on the phone to discuss the overcharges on my bill. Have a HUMAN BEING CALL ME.TO REVIEW YOUR CHARGES. WE WILL MAKE A PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT THEN!!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good afternoon Debra, we understand your frustration. If you have not already, please send us a private or direct message at http://www.pplelectric.com with your service address & phone number so we can assist. Thanks.

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

Archives