We’re committed to delivering reliable power no matter what the weather brings – a commitment that is rooted in year-round preparation.
Over the past decade, we have made significant investments to build a stronger, smarter and more resilient grid. From clearing vegetation around power lines and replacing aging equipment to installing state-of-the-art grid technology, we’re dedicated to keeping the lights on for our customers.
While we prepare for winter storm season, we have tips to help you prepare and stay safe as well.
Storm Safety
However, even with the best preparation and information, storms and severe weather can cause damage and result in outages. Adjust alert preferences to receive a phone call, text or email at pplelectric.com/alerts to stay informed during a storm.
If you experience an outage, report it by calling 1-800-DIAL-PPL, by visiting pplelectric.com/outage or texting “Outage” to TXTPPL.
A few other important storm safety tips to remember:
- Charge your phones and other devices in advance of a storm so they are fully powered.
- Keep generators far from buildings and do not operate them in confined spaces, such as garages.
- Stay away from any downed wires and always assume they are live and carry electricity. Report downed wires by calling 1-800-DIAL-PPL.
Winter Energy Savings
Easy, inexpensive tips to help you save energy and money when the temperature declines:
- Leave your curtains and blinds open. During the day, capture the sun’s light and heat to gain warmth from the sun. At night, close your curtains and blinds to prevent that free heat from escaping.
- Prevent fireplace heat loss. Keep the damper closed when you’re not using your fireplace so warm air doesn’t escape through the chimney. Energy-efficient fireplace grates also help you save by pulling cool air out of your room and into the fireplace while bringing warm air back into the room.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. Yes, fans can also keep you warm. Flip the switch to change the direction of the blades so they spin clockwise and pull warm air downward.
- Winterize windows and doors. Inspect all your doors, windows and ductwork for gaps that could leak heat from your home. Many of these cracks and leaks can easily be fixed with caulk and weatherstripping.
- Adjust your thermostat. When you’re home and awake, set the heat as low as it feels comfortable. Aim for 68 degrees as an optimal temperature. Wearing warmer clothing or grabbing a blanket can help keep you cozy. While you’re sleeping or out of the house, lower the thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees. Lowering the thermostat for at least eight hours can save up to 10% on your heating bill. A programmable thermostat will make it even easier to save.
The winter can be unpredictable and unforgiving, but our team is always ready to respond. Our grid is strong, reliable and evolving, and our employees are committed to keeping you safe and warm this winter.
Reliability investments like developing these first-of-its-kind resistance drills help us reduce costs and keep the lights on for our 1.5 million customers. These drills help measure decay on both the inside and outside of utility poles to assess their health and identify when poles need to be replaced.
Thanks for these tips! As an additional, consider using foam mats to reduce air leaks through wooden floors. Foam mats are cheaper than conventional carpets and can effectively seal gaps, contributing to improved insulation and overall warmth in your home.
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Power is completely out and I require electricity to power up my medical devices to keep me alive. Can’t get thru to the office because it’s closed on a Sunday. Have not received any update on when power will be restored
Why would you not have an emergency contact number with a real live person who could help.
For folks who have become medically dependent on power, they need to be closer to town. Rural electric is vulnerable to a variety of issues.
Some of your updates that PP&L gives are longer than what they should be you you guys are amazing and getting it taken care of in a short amount of time
Which times are best to use electrical appliances such as dishwasher washer dryer
Thank you for the tips to be safe
Several years ago, PPL sent people around to get permissions to trim trees at the back of our property to protect nearby power lines. No one has ever returned to do this work and we have had several outages due to trees and/or branches on lines. When will this work be completed?
Thanks for sharing this! One more tip is to use draft stoppers on doors and windows. These simple tools can prevent cold air from seeping in and warm air from escaping, helping to keep your home warm and your heating system more efficient.
Great tips for staying safe and saving energy in the winter! I’d like to add one more thing about thermal curtains. They’re really popular for reducing heat loss, but if you have radiators under your windows, they can actually backfire. The thick material can block the heat from circulating in the room, which means your heating system has to work harder, driving up your bills. To get the best of both worlds, try using shorter thermal curtains that stop just above the radiator. This way, you’ll keep the heat in without blocking the warmth from your radiators.
Thank you for sharing! I’ll definitely keep this in mind.