News Releases

As air conditioners work overtime this week battling an extended heat wave, the system that delivers power to PPL Electric Utilities customers is ready.

“Our ongoing maintenance programs, coupled with more than 40 reliability improvement projects completed this spring across our service area, mean customers can depend on us as they always have for safe and reliable power,” said Dave Bonenberger, vice president of Distribution Operations for the utility.

Weather forecasts for the week indicate temperatures in the mid-90s across the utility’s entire 10,000-square-mile service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

While the utility’s summer peak demand record, set in August 2006, will likely stand, power usage could exceed last summer’s peak of 7,182 megawatts, set on July 18, 2012. The regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection, reports power supplies are adequate to meet projected demand in the mid-Atlantic region.

The heat and significantly higher electric usage can stress electrical equipment. System operators are closely monitoring system conditions to take steps to avoid possible overheating or overloading of power lines and substation equipment.

Staff is available around the clock to respond to any problems and meet customer needs during the heat wave.

PPL Electric Utilities reminds its customers there are many no-cost and low-cost ways to save on their bills.
Some tips include:

• Make sure window drapes and shades are closed during the day to block the hot sun.
• In the summer, most people can be comfortable wearing light clothing and setting their thermostat temperature between 76 and 78 degrees. You will save energy for every degree higher you can set your thermostat.
• When temperatures rise above 90 degrees, the temperature setting on the thermostat should be at least 75 degrees.
• Minimize the use of heat-generating appliances like the dishwasher, stove, washer and dryer during the warmest hours of the day.
• Ceiling fans are wonderful to have for air movement, and they are economical to operate at pennies a day. It costs much less to move air than to cool it. But use ceiling fans only in rooms that will be occupied. Using a ceiling fan often lets you raise the temperature setting on your thermostat by one to three degrees.
• Keep air conditioner filters clean and be sure air vents are not blocked by furniture or other things.

Higher electric usage can mean higher electric bills in the summertime. PPL Electric Utilities has a variety of programs to help those who may be struggling to pay their bills. Visit www.pplelectric.com/billhelp for more information.

PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation that provides electricity delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania, consistently ranks among the best companies for customer service in the United States. More information is available at www.pplelectric.com.