Energy Efficiency Programs Archives

Local students showcase sustainability with poster contest

Apr 17, 2025 | Community Involvement, Energy Efficiency

Over 500 students participated in the annual Bright Ideas Energy Efficiency Student Poster Contest and 27 participated in the Think! Energy Innovation Challenge, presented by PPL Electric Utilities. Students designed posters and other creative projects to illustrate practical ideas for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Contest submissions came from students whose classes participated in energy efficiency presentations and hands-on activities. Topics and bright ideas from this year’s poster entries included recycling, efficient lighting, using solar power, turning off appliances when not in use and more.

Budding artists from kindergarten through 8^th grade took part in the Bright Ideas Energy Efficiency Student Poster Contest. Along with highlighting environmental awareness, the artwork also earned accolades for several participants. Grand prize winners received a $100 gift card, plus a $100 grant for the teacher and a pizza or ice cream party for the class. Honorable mentions received a $25 gift card and a pizza or ice cream party.

The Think! Energy Innovation Challenge encouraged 9^th through 12^th grade students to create compelling video and artwork showcasing their ideas for water and energy efficiency. Teams of up to four students submitted their work, with the grand prize and honorable mention recipients each receiving wireless headphones.

Teachers emphasized the importance of sustainability education following this year’s event.

“Thank you to PPL Electric Utilities for offering this opportunity to my students,” said Ms. Nikki Giannaras from Hanover Elementary School. “They were very excited about the contest. A big congratulations to my student, Evy, on winning the Grand Prize!”

“The energy program was perfect to jump-start our class lessons on conservation and energy,” said Ms. Justine Taylor from Conestoga Christian School. “My students were excited to participate in the poster contest and were blessed to be awarded with a party when one of my students won an honorable mention. Thank you, PPL Electric Utilities, for all you do for our community!”

“I am beyond excited to share that one of my students, Cayden, was selected for an honorable mention in the PPL Electric Utilities contest!” said Ms. Nicole Szarka from Willow Lane Elementary School. “We had such an amazing time during the presentation, where my students and I learned so much about the energy industry, sustainability and how we can all make a difference. The hands-on experience and engaging activities during the visit truly inspired my students… It’s moments like these that remind me how much potential each of my students has to achieve great things.”

PPL Electric Utilities is proud to host the Bright Ideas Energy Efficiency Student Poster Contest and Innovation Challenge. Find the full list of winners below and enjoy their artwork here.

Looking for ways to find energy savings at home? Explore our getting started guide.

A photo of excited students during their pizza party

Poster contest pizza party at Drums Elementary School.

An honorable mention winner from Blue Mountain.

Poster contest honorable mention (Jacob) from Blue Mountain Elementary School.

A photo of the Innovation Challenge winners from Lancaster Catholic.

Innovation Challenge grand prize winners (Solenne and Serafima) from Lancaster Catholic High School.

A photo of the honorable mention winners from Donegal High School.

Innovation Challenge honorable mentions (Logan, Elani and Shelby) from Donegal High School.

Grades K – 2nd

Grand Prize: Liam (Ms. Melissa McGee; Drums Elementary School)

Honorable Mentions: Cayden (Ms. Nicole Szarka; Willow Lane Elementary School), Samantha (Mc. Jaclyn Tumolo; Lincoln Elementary School)

Grades 3rd – 5th

Grand Prize: Evelyn (Ms. Nikki Giannaras; Hanover Elementary School)

Honorable Mention: Jacob (Ms. Amanda Deal; Blue Mountain East Elementary School), Lila (Ms. Justine Taylor; Conestoga Christian School)

Grades 6th – 8th

Grand Prize: Lyla (Mr. Joshua Abrams; Springhouse Middle School)

Grades 9^th – 12^th (Innovation Challenge)

Grand Prize: Solenne and Serafima (Ms. Anne Bleistine; Lancaster Catholic High School)

Honorable Mention: Aidyn and Mitch (Mr. Mark Nebzydoski; Western Wayne High School), Logan, Elani and Shelby (Mr. Matthew Deller and Mr. Robert Swisher; Donegal High School)

Let’s Talk About How to Personalize Your Energy Savings

Jul 19, 2023 | Energy Efficiency

Your home is as unique as you are. Not all heating and cooling systems are the same, and not everyone uses them in the same way. It’s true for your appliances as well, and everything else that uses energy. That’s why it’s a good idea to take advantage of personalized energy resources available to you from PPL, including one-on-one advice and specialized insights from energy experts.

Learn more about some of our personalized resources below. And visit our one-stop shop to find out all the ways you can Save with PPL.

**Schedule your free, personalized consultation**

“I am so appreciative of Jari [a Virtual Home Energy Expert]. He did such a good job in helping me with my account and letting me know how I can save money.” — G.

A Virtual Home Energy Assessment is easy to schedule and no home visits are necessary. A brief conversation with a trained Energy Advisor from PPL is a great way to find savings suited to your home. It could mean an easy solution to an energy challenge you’ve been dealing with for some time. Or it could be a quick fix to an issue that you never realized was an issue. After the assessment, you’ll also receive a free energy savings kit, with easy DIY upgrades like LED bulbs, a smart power strip, weather stripping and more, shipped straight to your door. Call +1 877-486-9204 to schedule.

Save money and energy with special offers

The PPL Online Marketplace is a great resource for special discounts on the best energy-saving products like air purifiers, window A/C units, furnace filters, spray foam and pipe insulation, smart thermostats, dehumidifiers and advanced power strips. It’s also where you can access helpful buyer’s guides highlighting some of the energy-saving appliances and products that are available and how to use them.

Out with the old… In with the new

Do you have an old refrigerator or freezer that’s wasting energy and taking up space? If it still works, PPL will pick it up and haul it away for free to be responsibly recycled. Plus, you’ll receive a check for $50. You can also receive money for letting us take away your old dehumidifier or room A/C. We also offer rebates on new refrigerators. Learn more to schedule your pickup.

Whatever type of home you have, there are multiple ways you can save on your budget and save energy at the same time. That’s something worth talking about.

Claim tax credits and bonus rebates for your home energy upgrades

Jul 6, 2023 | Energy Efficiency

Did you complete a home improvement project this summer? You can bundle our standard rebates and bonus rebates with tax credits to maximize your savings. Pairing tax credits with our rebates is a great way to save extra on energy upgrades that improve the comfort, health and energy efficiency of your home.

Learn how you can bundle rebates, bonus rebates, and tax credits.

Projects that may qualify for a federal tax credit and a rebate from our rebate program include:

Air-Source Heat Pumps
Central Air Conditioning
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Insulation and Air Sealing

These projects are all part of the ENERGY STAR® Home Upgrade, which includes the highest-impact, most energy-efficient improvements you can make in your home.

Whether you’ve already completed energy-saving upgrades in the past year or you’re planning ahead, remember to take advantage of federal tax credits. You may qualify for up to $3,200 in federal tax credits this year. Visit pplelectric.com/bundled to learn more.

Take steps to stay cool and save

May 10, 2022 | Energy Efficiency

Temperatures may be rising, but your energy costs don’t have to. Keep cool and save energy this summer with these helpful tips from our friends at ENERGY STAR® and rebates from PPL Electric Utilities.

Consider an HVAC upgrade. If your cooling equipment is more than 10 years old or needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up, it may be time to replace the system. Get rebates of up to $450 on ENERGY STAR certified cooling equipment through PPL Electric.
Install a smart thermostat. An ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat saves energy by adjusting to your schedule and favorite temperatures. You can even control it right from your phone. We offer rebates of up to $100.
Insulate and seal air leaks. Feeling different temperatures from room to room? Updating insulation and sealing air leaks can keep the hot air out and improve the efficiency of your cooling system. Save with rebates of up to $700.

For more resources and rebates, check out savewithppl.com.

Managing your energy use is easier than you think

Apr 12, 2022 | Energy Efficiency

There are opportunities to save on electricity throughout your home, and our energy efficiency programs and rebates can help get you started.

No contact, free home energy assessment

With a virtual home energy assessment, an expert energy advisor will evaluate your home’s energy consumption and recommend potential upgrades — all during a 30-minute phone conversation. Best of all, it’s free.

You’ll even receive a personalized energy savings kit — also free — with small, do-it-yourself upgrades. You may receive items like a smart power strip, high-efficiency showerhead, weatherstripping, or LED bulbs.

Visit pplelectric.com/virtualassessment to schedule or give us a call at 1-877-486-9204.

Get paid for your old fridge or freezer

Hanging onto an old fridge or freezer? If it still works, we’ll give you $50 for it. Plus, you can get $10 for each working dehumidifier or room air conditioner.

Schedule a free curbside or in-home pickup.
We’ll haul away and responsibly recycle your fridge or freezer and any other qualifying appliances.
Receive $50 plus an additional $10 for each dehumidifier or room air conditioner.

Visit pplelectric.com/recycle to schedule your pickup.

Rebates for efficient upgrades

We offer rebates for qualifying heating and cooling equipment and other energy efficiency upgrades. The rebates apply to central air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pump water heaters, smart thermostats, pool pumps, and more. Visit pplelectric.com/equipment to learn more.

Instant discounts on specialty lighting

Switching out old light bulbs for ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs is one of the easiest ways to save energy. We provide instant discounts on select specialty lighting bulb packs at local retailers. Look for signs with the PPL Electric logo to find the discounts.

Comprehensive Retrofit Bonus

If you’ve already made your first energy efficiency update, you can take advantage of our Comprehensive Retrofit Bonus. Earn a bonus for completing two or three qualifying projects within a year. Check out pplelectric.com/retrofit for more details.