Easy ways to start saving energy on your electronics in minutes

Easy ways to start saving energy on your electronics in minutes

Do you know the only category of energy use that’s increasing in homes? In our energy quiz last month, 63% of our customers correctly answered that appliances and devices use around 21% of a home’s energy each year. And device use is rapidly rising. 

Each year, energy for electronic devices costs an average of $191 for every U.S. household, according to the Consumer Technology Association. So why not start saving this year? Whether you’re hoping to give or receive an electronic device or just looking for ways to decrease electronics use in your own home, here’s an easy guide for how to save energy and money. 

A hand pointing a remote at the TV and pressing the power button

TVs: 

Review your TV’s brightness settings 

Use your TV’s default brightness setting. On some TVs, this may be called the ABC, or Automatic Brightness Control. 

Power off when not in use or use a smart power strip 

Plugging your TV and components into a smart power strip can prevent energy waste when the system is not powered on. You can buy one at a discounted price on our Online Marketplace. 

Buy ENERGY STAR® 

If you’re purchasing a TV, look for the ENERGY STAR label and remember that smaller screens save energy. Find out how to choose the optimal screen size in the “buying guide” section here. 

Animated GIF of a TV’s volume indicator, with bars disappearing as the volume is turned down

Speakers and Sound Bars: 

Turn down the sound 

It saves energy and prevents damage to your hearing. Or use volume-leveling technology that adjusts the volume for you between shows and commercials. To ensure that volume leveling is on, follow the directions included with your speakers or given on the manufacturer website. 

Use sound bars instead of powered speakers 

Sound bars use less energy than multi-speaker surround systems and can offer the same three-dimensional sound effect. 

A couple using a laptop while sitting on living room floor

Computers: 

Adjust sleep settings 

You can save $10$100 every year by activating the sleep settings on your computer, according to ENERGY STAR. Here’s how to activate these settings on your model. 

Don’t use screen savers 

Despite common belief, screen savers don’t save energy. In fact, screen savers often continue to draw power from the monitor and can even keep the CPU from shutting down. 

Go smaller for bigger savings 

Smaller devices tend to be the most energy efficient, so pick a smaller device to do a task when possible. Desktop computers use more energy than laptops or notebooks, while notebooks and laptops use more energy than tablets.  

 Father and son sitting on a couch playing video games

Games: 

Shut down when youre finished 

Many computer games continue to run even when you’re doing something else, and don’t allow the computer to go to sleep even if the game is paused.  

Keep up with updates 

New software updates can reduce the energy use of a gaming console.  

Don’t use your gaming console to stream media 

Digital media players, also known as streaming devices, use 15 times less energy than gaming consoles.  

 

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. 

 

 

 

Hosting for the holidays? Here are three easy ways to save

Hosting for the holidays? Here are three easy ways to save

The holiday season is here. Whether you’re planning to host a gathering, prepare a celebratory meal or decorate your home, we have some easy ways to save energy and money during the festive season Wishing you very happy holidays! 

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Click on the card to expand it

Click on the card to expand it

 

Extra Links: 

*For more tips on how to add shine to your decorating, see our 2022 blog on decorating for the holidays.

Get your smart power strip and more at our Online Marketplace.

Learn about energy-efficient landscaping here

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

 

It’s Energy Awareness Month. How energy aware are you?

It’s Energy Awareness Month. How energy aware are you?

October is Energy Awareness Month. Here’s an opportunity to find out how much you know about how you use energy at home throughout the day. To get started, click the button below to answer the quiz questions. When you choose an answer, you’ll get some useful tips and suggestions to help you start saving energy and money right now! 

There’s money hiding in your home, and a few simple changes can help you find it! Visit our one-stop shop to find out all the ways you can Save with PPL. 

 

 

 

 

 

Now is the perfect time to optimize energy savings for fall

Now is the perfect time to optimize energy savings for fall

As the leaves and outside temperatures change, simple actions, household fixes and upgrades can help you save on your energy consumption this fall, winter and beyond. Here are some of the easiest and most effective changes you can make right now.

Infographic with images of fall leaves and text with tips to manage energy costs. Manage Your Energy Costs Here are some simple actions, household fixes and upgrades that can make a world of difference. 1) Simple Acts Icon of an outdoor air conditioning unit • Don’t leave your HVAC system running all the time. Turning your system on and off as needed can increase the unit’s efficiency by 5–15%. Icon of a smart thermostat with heat set to 70 degrees and a thermometer showing a low temperature • Adjust your thermostat temperature throughout the day, considering times when the house is empty. The Department of Energy (DOE) says turning your thermostat back 7–10 degrees, 8 hours a day, gets you 10% savings. Icon of a water heater with a thermometer showing a low temperature • Lowering the temperature of your water heater by just 10 degrees can save you up to 5% on heating costs. The DOE recommends setting it at 120°F (unless you have health issues that require you to set it higher). 2) Basic Maintenance Icon of an air filter with arrows indicating airflow through the filter • Change the air filter in your HVAC system. Icon of a vacuum in front of a vent • Vacuum vents, air ducts and fans. Icon of a water pipe • Insulate hot water pipes to keep water up to 4 degrees hotter. 3) Upgrades That Can Pay for Themselves Icon of a hand setting a smart thermostat to 70 degrees • Invest in a smart thermostat. You can save $50 by going to the PPL Electric Online Marketplace. Icon of a hot water heater with an ENERGY STAR label • Replace your aging hot water heater with an ENERGY STAR® label and receive a $400 rebate from PPL Electric. Icon of a refrigerator with a $50 starburst icon • If investing in new appliances or electronics this fall, like computers and tablets, remember that ENERGY STAR devices can save you money and energy. As we approach the winter heating season, our budget billing program can help make your payments more predictable each month. PPL Electric Utilities logo

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Visit the links below to learn more about the benefits and offerings featured above.

There’s money hiding in your home, and a few simple changes can help you find it! Visit our one-stop shop to find out all the ways you can Save with PPL.

 

Let’s Talk About How to Personalize Your Energy Savings

Let’s Talk About How to Personalize Your Energy Savings

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 

Animated GIF of woman opening a package and throwing her hands up in celebration

“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 

Animated GIF showing three marketplace products: a thermostat, an advanced power strip and a dehumidifier

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.