News Releases

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Jan. 5, 2024) – As a new year begins and the cold of winter intensifies, PPL Electric Utilities is committed to delivering reliable power no matter what the weather brings – a commitment that is rooted in year-round preparation.

PPL Electric Utilities’ grid is one of the most reliable in the country. Over the past decade, the company has 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.

“PPL Electric is a national leader in grid reliability and the investments we have made over the past decade help us deliver the safe and reliable power that our customers depend on, said Sal Salet, vice president of Distribution Operations. “The bottom line is, sometimes emergencies happen. We are a 24/7/365 business. No matter what the emergency is, our team is continually monitoring, drilling and preparing to respond.”

PPL Electric wants customers to stay safe and save on their energy bills this winter with the following tips:

Storm Safety

Even with the best preparation and information, storms and severe weather can cause damage and result in outages. You can adjust alert preferences to receive a phone call, text or email at pplelectric.com/alerts to stay informed during a storm.

If you do 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

Here are some 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 season,” said Salet.

About PPL Electric Utilities

PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to about 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania. It regularly ranks among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. It is a part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies. Visit pplelectric.com or connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for energy efficiency tips, bill help information, guidance on shopping for an electricity supplier, storm updates and more.

Note to Editors: Visit our media website at https://news.pplweb.com/ for additional news and background about PPL Corporation. 

Contact: For news media: Tracie Witter, tlwitter@pplweb.com, 570-368-5235