Jul 25, 2025 | Safety and Security
During periods of extreme heat, we urge our customers to stay safe by spending time in a cool place, drinking plenty of fluids, staying informed and checking on elderly family members or neighbors.
The offers the following advice to help keep you and those around you safe:
- Take measures to avoid heat stress or illness and keep your homes cool. During periods like this, air conditioning is a matter of health and safety, not only convenience and comfort.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, the CDC urges you to seek out cooler places — shopping malls, libraries or public cooling centers — to avoid the heat.
- The CDC also advises people to wear appropriate clothing and drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages as part of increased fluid intake.
Ways to save energy and money:
- Pull down drapes and shades during the day to block the hot sun.
- You will save energy for every degree higher you can set your thermostat. The federal Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees.
- Minimize the use of heat-generating appliances like dishwashers, stoves, washers and dryers during the warmest hours of the day.
- Incandescent light bulbs also produce heat, so switching to cooler and more efficient LED bulbs is a smart choice.
- Ceiling fans are wonderful to have for air movement, and they are economical to operate. Using a ceiling fan often lets you raise the temperature setting on your thermostat by one to three degrees.
We offer customers many no-cost ways to save energy, as well as payment agreements and assistance programs to make their bills as affordable as possible. Explore your options at pplelectric.com/SeasonalSavings.
Jun 22, 2025 | Safety and Security, Storms and Outages
We’ve made it easy for you to stay connected and access the information you need during an emergency. Here are some reliable ways to stay updated when sever weather is in the forecast:
- Report an outage
If your power goes out, report the outage by texting “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775), by visiting pplelectric.com/outage or by calling us at 1-800-342-5775.
- Stay connected
Customize your alert preferences at pplelectric.com/alerts to receive real-time updates on your power status. Choose to receive notifications via text, email, phone or any combination of the three so you’re always informed. You can adjust your settings anytime to match your communication preferences.
- Monitor our interactive outage map
Want to see what’s happening in your area? Visit our Outage Map to view current outages, affected areas and get estimated restoration times.
- Connect with us on social media
Stay connected and following us on social media for the latest news, safety tips andinformation.s and outage news. Follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram to receive real-time updates and connect with our customer service team. Social media also helps you stay connected with your community during widespread outages.
- Keep your devices charged
Smartphones and tablets are essential lifelines during emergencies. Ensure your devices are fully charged before anticipated storms and consider investing in a power bank or portable charger as backup. This ensures you can stay connected to receive alerts and communicate with loved ones.
Power tip: Enable battery-saving mode and reduce screen brightness to extend your device’s battery life during outages.
- Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio provides reliable access to information, especially when cellular networks are congested or unavailable. Tune in to local news stations for weather updates, emergency instructions and restoration timelines. Remember to keep extra batteries in your emergency kit.
- Create an emergency contact list
Maintain an updated list of important phone numbers, including utilities, emergency services, medical providers and family contacts. Keep physical copies in multiple locations where you can easily access them during an outage.
Safety hint: Store this information in a waterproof container in your emergency kit, and also keep a copy in your vehicle.
Be prepared, stay connected, stay safe
By implementing these strategies, you can remain informed and connected during unexpected power outages. Remember that preparation is key to navigating emergencies safely and confidently.
Jun 15, 2025 | Safety and Security, Storms and Outages
When the unexpected happens, whether it’s a severe storm, power outage or another emergency, having a well-stocked emergency kit can help you and your family stay safe and comfortable.
What to pack in your emergency kit
- Flashlights and batteries
Keep flashlights in several rooms of your home, and make sure you have extra batteries. Flashlights are safer than candles, especially during outages.
- Food and water
Stock at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food items like canned goods and granola bars. Don’t forget a manual can opener. You’ll also need one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene.
- First-aid kit
Make sure your kit includes bandages, antiseptic wipes and any prescription medications your family needs. Include over-the-counter items like pain relievers and allergy medicine.
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Staying informed is key. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio lets you hear important updates when the power is out. Keep extra batteries on hand.
- Blankets and warm clothing
Pack seasonal clothing and extra blankets or sleeping bags. Even in warmer months, a blanket can provide comfort and protection if you lose power.
- Hygiene items
Include hand sanitizer, wet wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and other basic items. For families with babies or toddlers, don’t forget diapers and baby wipes.
- Important documents
Store copies of key documents like insurance policies, ID cards and medical information in a waterproof container. It’s also helpful to have a printed list of important phone numbers.
- Portable phone charger
Make sure you have a portable charger to keep your phone powered if the electricity goes out. Keep it charged and ready to go.
Where to keep your kit
Place everything in a large, sturdy container like a plastic bin or duffle bag and store it in an easy-to-reach spot. Let everyone in your household know where it is and what’s inside.
Jun 8, 2025 | Safety and Security, Storms and Outages
Does your family have an emergency plan in case of severe weather? You might be surprised to learn that a lot of Americans don’t have an emergency plan.
We take a lot of steps to keep our loved ones safe. We childproof our homes, buckle up in the car and install smoke detectors. But are we ready for an emergency, like a power outage or a severe summer storm?
What would your family do if the power went out for days during a heat wave? Do you have enough food, water and other supplies? Every family’s needs are different, and your plan should reflect that. For example, families with young children, pets or someone with medical needs might require more detailed planning.
Why planning matters
Having a plan in place before summer storms hit can make all the difference. It’s much easier to stay calm and focused when you’ve thought through the details ahead of time. Knowing where to go, who to contact and what to have on hand will help you keep your loved ones safe.
With storm season approaching, now is a great time to review and update your emergency plan. Even if you already have a plan, it’s important to make sure it still meets your family’s current needs.
Get started on your plan
If you don’t have a plan yet, now is the perfect time to create one. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Does everyone know who to contact and where to go if a summer storm hits when you’re not home?
- Do you have an emergency kit with enough supplies for at least three days?
- Does everyone know how to stay informed with the latest weather alerts?
Resources to help you prepare
We’ve gathered essential information from trusted sources like FEMA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Red Cross and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to create a comprehensive guide just for you. Our guide brings together the best practices and recommendations from these expert organizations into one convenient place, making it easy for you to review and follow.
Key tips:
- Keep a paper copy of your emergency contacts: If your phone dies during a storm, you’ll still have access to important numbers.
- Use our checklist to build your emergency kit: It’s designed with all the details you need to be prepared for summer weather emergencies.
- Teach your kids what to do during a storm emergency: Help them stay calm and know what to expect.
Download our Emergency Preparedness Guide
Check out the infographics below for more detailed guidance on creating your emergency kit and preparing your family. Being prepared for summer storms is essential, not just for yourself, but for everyone who depends on you.
May 13, 2025 | Customer Service
Energy costs are rising. And as we head into the summer months, many customers are understandably concerned about higher bills. We’re concerned too. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to help you understand your options, control your usage and take advantage of every resource available to you.
Why generation prices are rising
In Pennsylvania and the broader region, energy market prices for electric generation supply have risen sharply due to the retirement of older baseload power plants and limited new generation resources being built as replacements. With electricity demand expected to increase over the next decade, this situation could worsen if new generation isn’t added. Our President, Christine Martin, addressed this crisis in an op-ed published earlier this year.
These energy market conditions are putting an unnecessary cost burden on customers. Generation supply price increases are the main driver of the nearly 16% increase in our Price to Compare taking effect on June 1. This increase is especially significant for our customers, since nearly 50% of an average bill is attributable to generation supply costs.
We want to assure you that we do not profit from these increases in the generation supply charge. In fact, under Pennsylvania law, we do not generate electricity and are required to purchase electricity through a competitive, transparent auction process on behalf of customers who do not choose a third-party supplier. These generation supply costs are passed along to you at the price that we pay, without a profit or markup.
In fact, PPL Electric Utilities only controls about half of your electric bill — covering the cost of delivering power to homes and businesses over distribution and transmission lines. The remaining half, which includes generation supply costs, regulatory mandates and taxes, is outside of our control. Despite this, we are committed to operating efficiently and controlling the costs that we can while still ensuring reliable service for our customers.
Resources to help you take control of your bill
While we can’t control these market trends, we can empower customers with the tools and information needed to manage energy use and explore cost-saving opportunities.
We offer a variety of resources designed to help you make informed decisions, manage your energy use and keep your monthly bills as predictable and reasonable as possible:
- Budget billing and flexible payment plans: Spread your energy costs throughout the year or choose a bill due date that works best for your budget.
- Energy-saving programs and rebates: From virtual home energy audits to personalized tips, product rebates and discounts, we offer free or low-cost ways to cut your energy use and lower your bill. We have also launched a new and improved Home Energy Analyzer tool to help you better understand where you are using the most energy in your home and make informed decisions on changes that will have the most impact.
- Bill assistance programs: For income-eligible customers facing financial challenges, we provide a range of assistance options. Whether your need is temporary or long-term, we’re here to help. We have also expanded our Operation HELP electricity fund and raised individual grant levels to provide $1.5 million in total grants to eligible customers this year.
- Shop for a competitive supplier: Customers can compare offers from third-party electric generation suppliers on PaPowerSwitch.com and potentially lock in a lower rate. There are often savings available through shopping, but as always, we urge customers to carefully review the terms and conditions — including price, contract length, fixed or variable rates, and monthly and/or cancellation fees. Every year, we see many of our shopping customers paying more than the Price to Compare, so it is important to carefully choose your supplier and be aware of your contract terms.
We encourage customers to use our web-based self-service features to enroll or apply for available programs. Customers can access all resources in one convenient place by visiting pplelectric.com/SeasonalSavings.
Looking ahead
Our priority is clear — providing safe, reliable service while helping customers navigate a complex and changing energy landscape. Whether it’s answering your billing questions, helping you access assistance or offering new tools to reduce your energy use, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
We continue to control our costs to keep our delivery charges among the lowest in the state, and we are making smart investments to improve your service. And, soon, we will be rolling out additional self-service options for you to interact with us and manage your electric account. If you have questions or need help exploring your options, please visit pplelectric.com or contact our customer service team. We’re here to help you manage your energy costs with confidence.
