12 signs that your appliances are on their last legs

12 signs that your appliances are on their last legs

Appliances never break down at convenient times. It’s almost a rule of thumb. The key is to have a replacement in mind before you need to make a hasty decision. Luckily, there are ways to know when an appliance may be nearing the end of its life. If you see any signs that one of your appliances is wearing down, now is the time to prepare by researching an energy-efficient replacement. It’s a savvy move that can save you $210 to $550 over the lifetime of the new appliance. Plus, it will reduce a lot of stress in your life.  

 A refrigerator with a thermometer sticking out from its door and a comment bubble that says, “I have a fever!”
Is your refrigerator sick and tired? Here are some signs that time for a replacement is near: 
  1. The back feels extremely hot.
  2. Food spoils even when the setting shows the correct temperature. 
  3. There is an excess of frost in the freezer, or moisture inside and outside of the fridge. 
  4. It’s over a decade old. The average life cycle of a refrigerator is 12 years. *
A washing machine wearing glasses, with a comment bubble that says, “Am I being too loud?”
Is your washer cranky? Unreliable? Here are signs that it may be washed up. 
  1. A loud, persistent noise. 
  2. Water leaking from the washer. 
  3. The washer is not draining properly.  
  4. It’s at or over 13–14 years old. † 
If your dryer is doing more complaining than drying, it could be that time. Here are some signs: 
  1. Loud or unusual noises. 
  2. Clothes never seem to get dry.
  3. Smoky odor or any potential electrical issues. (Safety note: Always consult a trained electrician when dealing with these issues.) 
  4. The dryer is past its prime. The average dryer life cycle is 12–16 years. * 
Find out how much you can save when you plan for an energy-efficient future  

 A sparkly ENERGY STAR certified refrigerator with a comment bubble that says, “Save $230!”

Cool savings with an ENERGY STAR® refrigerator! 

The ENERGY STAR list of most efficient appliances for 2024 is now available. Check out this year’s most efficient refrigerators and other appliances. Replacing your old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR certified one can save about $230 over the lifetime of the product.* A new model may qualify for a $50 rebate, and when the time comes, we’ll help you recycle your old one, and give you another $50! 

A sparkly ENERGY STAR certified washer with a comment bubble that says, “Save $550!”

Save big with an ENERGY STAR washer! 

Replacing your washer with a new ENERGY STAR certified option can save you $550 in energy costs over the lifetime of the product, and reduce water use by 30%. * Plan for your replacement now. Check out the ENERGY STAR list of most efficient washers for 2024. 

A sparkly ENERGY STAR certified dryer with a comment bubble that says, “Save $210!

With an ENERGY STAR dryer, the savings add up! 

A full-size, electric ENERGY STAR certified dryer can save you $210 in energy costs over the life of the product. * Know what model you want to replace yours with before it breaks. Check out the ENERGY STAR list of most efficient dryers for 2024. 

There’s money hiding in your home, and a few simple changes can help you find it! Learn more about these and other ways you can save with PPL. 

 

*According to ENERGY STAR. 
†According to: Department of Energy. 
It’s never been easier to pay your bill

It’s never been easier to pay your bill

We know one size doesn’t fit all – that’s why we offer a variety of different options to pay your bill.  Whether you prefer the convenience of AutoPay, paying online with your credit card or still like to pay via one of our payment centers, we’ve got you covered.  Check out all of your options below: 

Checking or savings account – Make a one-time payment on the date of your choice.  You can save your information or even schedule a future payment, as long as it’s before your due date. If you don’t want to pay online, you can also use your checking or savings account information to pay via a customer service representative or our automated phone system. 

AutoPay – Enroll with your bank account information and we’ll process your payment free-of-charge on your due date. 

Text to pay – Text “Pay” to TXTPPL (898775) and we’ll process your payment immediately. 

Credit card – Process a secure payment with your credit card either online, through our automated phone system or with a customer service representative for a small fee.  

Payment center – Find a local bill payment center and make a cash payment for a $2 fee. 

Mail – You can always mail a check with your monthly bill.   

 

7 energy-saving ways to show you care this Valentine’s Day

7 energy-saving ways to show you care this Valentine’s Day

Holidays can sometimes call for spending, but they can also mean saving. This Valentine’s Day, and throughout the month, help those you care about be more comfortable while saving on energy costs with these simple home improvements and actions.

A red slow cooker on a background with pink and red hearts.

Date night

#1 Get prepped. Assemble all your ingredients and do all your chopping and prepping before you turn on your electric cooking appliances.

#2 Take it slow. Make someone special in your life a slow-cooked meal like this slow-cooker chicken teriyaki. Slow cookers are more energy efficient than making a meal in the oven.

#3 And don’t forget the ambient lighting. Skip the overhead lighting and add some LED candles to your decor for the evening. You’ll save energy while adding a warm glow.

Parents and a child sitting on a couch and starting a movie, with LED candles in the background.

Family night

#4 Get comfortable. Plan for energy-efficient comfort all evening long by adjusting ceiling fans to run clockwise, circulating warm air from the ceiling. That will allow you to lower your thermostat a few degrees. And don’t use kitchen exhaust fans or vents for more than 20 minutes. They pull cold air from outside.

#5 Stream efficiently. Stream your favorite movies or shows through your digital media player rather than your gaming console and use volume-leveling to make sure that loud commercials don’t interrupt your family time.

#6 Get crafty. Create tasty valentines for the whole family with this no-bake, valentine-heart fudge recipe.

A hand adjusting a smart thermostat set at 62 degrees, with pink and red hearts in the background.

Night out

#7 Get smart. Enjoy energy-efficient nights out all year long by installing a smart thermostat with a $50 rebate. A smart thermostat will save energy while you’re out and have the house warm and cozy again by the time you’re back home. 

There’s money hiding in your home, and a few simple changes can help you find it! Learn more about these and other ways you can save with PPL.

Power to the PEEPS

Power to the PEEPS

We pride ourselves on delivering safe, reliable and affordable electricity to a variety of businesses across our territory. One company we’re especially proud to power, sits in the quaint town of Bethlehem and has been manufacturing marshmallow PEEPs® Brand marshmallow candies for the past 100 years.

If you’ve never heard of Just Born Quality Confections, its impressive manufacturing plant spans 14 acres, has 7 kitchens and uses 100 PSI of compression to whip marshmallow for 5.5 million PEEPS® per day. The Company operates industrial sized fans, blowers, steam, and refrigeration twenty-four hours a day, 5 days a week. Naturally, reliable power plays a critical role in their operations. An unplanned power outage would mean lost production time and a lengthy, sticky, cleaning process to ramp back up. This multi-generational, family-owned company acknowledges the importance of quality power to operate its busy plant.

“We use a huge amount of power to make PEEPS®, Mike and Ike® and Hot Tamales® Brand candies,” said Just Born Senior Manager of Engineering and Facilities, David Escott. “We are so grateful to PPL Electric Utilities’ strong electric infrastructure and the responsive support we receive from our key account manager, Javid. Our electricity has been highly reliable over the years,” said David Escott.

In addition to providing reliable power, we are focused on helping our customers save energy and drive efficiency through their operations. A few years ago, we recommended energy-efficiency measures to help reduce costs for the PEEP® Brand’s operations. Just Born replaced a chiller from the 1990s, earning them a $60,000 rebate. The new chiller saves the company approximately $70,000 a year in energy costs. Pretty sweet.

So, the next time you enjoy a pack of PEEPS®, Mike and Ike® or Hot Tamales®, remember the power it takes to create these sweet treats. Reliable power is important to Just Born, Quality Confections and Just Born, like all our customers, is important to us.

Tips to stay safe and prepare for winter weather

Tips to stay safe and prepare for winter weather

We’re committed to delivering reliable power no matter what the weather brings – a commitment that is rooted in year-round preparation.

Our grid is one of the most reliable in the country. 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, our reliability investments mean customers are experiencing 30% fewer outages since 2011.

Stay safe and save with the following tips:

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.

 

employee using resistance drill to help measure utility pole decay and identify whether replacement is necessary.

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.