Aug 12, 2020 | Customer Service
Delivering safe reliable power to our customers is our top priority.
But our commitment to customers goes far beyond keeping your lights on.
As 2020 dawned, no one could have imagined the difficulties we now face because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crisis is far from over. Financial challenges continue to grow for many as more jobs are lost and lives are upended.
We want you to know that we’ve expanded our programs and payment plans for those of you who need help during these times. Regardless of your income or circumstances, we can help reduce your burden and keep you from falling too far behind.
We added funds to our Operation HELP assistance program, and we’ve expanded eligibility for other programs that offer reduced payments and debt forgiveness. We also can help by setting you up with a payment arrangement, where you can pay down your balance over time.
Maybe something as simple as moving your bill due date to better align with your finances, or getting onto a budget billing plan could help.
Many people have been spending more time at home. That, plus the fact that we’ve had quite a hot and humid summer, means that electric bills are higher than usual.
Getting help with your electric bill means peace of mind in uncertain times. Visit pplelectric.com/billhelp today or call 1-800-342-5775 to learn more.
Let us know how we can help!
Warm regards,
Lori Mueller, Vice President, Customer Services, & Your PPL Customer Service Team
Aug 7, 2020 | Energy Efficiency
While you’re spending most of your spare time outdoors enjoying the summer sun, you could be wasting electricity inside the house. Routine cleaning does more than leave your home looking great. It can also help you save money every month.
Whether you’re dusting or disinfecting, here are some ways to reduce your energy use, and save a few bucks:
- Redirect ceiling fans. Change the direction of your ceiling fans according to the season. In the summer, they should rotate counter-clockwise to push cool air downward. That will help keep your rooms cooler and give your air conditioning a break.
- Clean your oven. A clean oven can reach temperature faster and cook more efficiently. Self-cleaning ovens make the process easier, and they’re more energy efficient because they have better insulation. Only run the cleaning cycle on your self-cleaning oven once a month, but do it immediately after you use the oven. You’ll use less energy because the oven will already be hot.
- Dust your electronics. Televisions, smart speakers, DVD players, video game consoles, and internet routers are just a few surfaces where dust loves to settle. Keeping these areas dust-free helps motors run better, extending their shelf life and performance.
- Vacuum refrigerator coils. When’s the last time you looked behind your refrigerator? If it’s been a while, you may want to roll it out. Dust tends to build up on the coils, forcing your refrigerator to work harder to do its job. So, go ahead, give it a quick vacuum or wipe-down.
- Tune up your HVAC system. Heating and cooling can add up to 50% of your in-home energy use. Routine HVAC maintenance may require a small out-of-pocket expense, but the return on investment is incomparable. Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently throughout the year.
PPL’s Energy Efficiency Programs can offer simple tips and tools to reduce your electricity use inside and outside your home. Check out more ways to save.
Aug 3, 2020 | Safety and Security
Most of us don’t like to think that we could be affected by something like a house fire or a flood, but the numbers say otherwise. According to the Department of Homeland Security, floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.
Electricity and water can be a dangerous combination.
Here are a few tips to keep yourself and your family safe when flood waters rise.
- Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches or fuses when you’re wet or standing in water.
- Stay clear of electrical equipment in rooms with flooding.
- If you have to stand in water to turn off power at the breaker box, don’t do it! Call us at 1-800-342-5775 and we’ll shut off power at the meter.
- Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces.
- Don’t use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
For more resources about flood safety visit ready.gov/floods or check out these tips from ESFI.
Jul 29, 2020 | Energy Efficiency
Warm summer days are here!
Whether you’re lounging outside or catching up on home projects, these five tips will help you save energy — so you can put more money toward that beach trip and less toward your electricity bill.
- Plant a shade tree. Go green — literally. In Pennsylvania’s climate, shading the south and west sides of your home from summer sun is the most cost-effective way to counteract solar heat and lower your air conditioning costs. In addition to trees, well-planned landscaping that includes bushes, shrubs, vines or ground-cover plants can reduce your home’s air conditioning costs by up to 50%.
- Install smarter lighting. Your porch or front light can benefit from LED bulbs, which use up to 90% less energy than standard bulbs. For landscape lighting, consider low-voltage fixtures or solar-powered lights. You can also install timers or sensors so your lights don’t need to stay on all day.
- Seal from the outside. To help keep air conditioning inside, inspect the outside of your home for any leaks that might let that cool air escape. Caulking around your windows is a simple and inexpensive way to seal air leaks when new windows aren’t in the budget. Check the weatherstripping on exterior doors to see if there are any gaps. A combination of new weatherstripping and a door sweep (to fill gaps along the bottom of the door) can save on your utility bills in summer and winter.
- Reach for manual tools. Swapping power tools for a little elbow grease can save you money. Here are some ideas: Shape your shrubs with a hand pruner instead of a power hedge trimmer. Reach for clippers rather than the weed whacker. Opt for a rake over a leaf blower.
- Cool down your roof. Check your roof for air leaks and insulate it from inside the attic as a way to save on your air conditioning bill. When it comes time for a new roof, choose a cool roof, which uses special coatings that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a regular roof. Bonus: Decreasing your roof’s temperature may actually extend its life.
PPL’s Energy Efficiency Programs offer simple tips and tools to reduce electricity use inside and outside your home. Check out more ways to save.
Mar 12, 2020 | Energy Efficiency
It’s time to open the windows, break out the mop and start cleaning.
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to think about energy efficiency. Work these seven tips into your routine to save energy and money.
- Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fan: In the winter, the fan should rotate clockwise to push warm air toward the floor. In spring, switch the direction so the blades draw air upward, cooling the room with constant airflow.
- Keep your blades clean: While you’re up there changing the direction of your ceiling fan, dust the blades. This will keep the fan running efficiently. This is also a good time to check for dust around the motor housing.
- Install window treatments: Energy-efficient window treatments or coverings – such as blinds, shades and films – do more than improve the look of your home. They also slash heat gain when temperatures rise, reducing your energy costs.
- Bring in sunlight: During daylight hours, switch off artificial lights, open the curtains and use sunlight to brighten your home.
- Service your air conditioner: Easy maintenance, like replacing or clearing air filters, can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15%. Spring cleaning could also serve as a reminder to call your HVAC professional for a thorough cleaning to make sure the system is performing like it should.
- Cook outside: On warmer spring days, keep the heat out of your home by using an outdoor grill instead of your stove or oven.
- Update your landscaping: Believe it or not, your landscaping can also improve your home’s comfort and lower your energy bills. On average, a well-designed landscape saves enough energy to pay for itself in fewer than eight years. Check out energy.gov for the top three landscaping strategies by climate.
Do you have any other energy efficient spring cleaning tips? Tweet us @pplelectric so we can share them with our customers.
