BETHLEHEM, Pa. — At PPL Electric Utilities, the mission is to ensure customers will never be left out in the cold.
From replacing aging equipment, to installing state-of-the-art grid technology, to clearing vegetation around power lines throughout the year, the power company’s investments are responsible for 30% fewer outages since 2011, its spokesman said.
“PPL Electric is a national leader in grid reliability,” Sal Salet, vice president of distribution operations, said in a news release distributed Friday.
“Our grid is strong, reliable and evolving, and our employees are committed to keeping customers safe and warm this season.”Sal Salet, vice president/distribution operations, PPL Electric Utilities
“And the investments we have made over the past decade help us deliver the safe and reliable power that our customers depend on.
The announcement came as the National Weather Service said Friday that Lehigh and Northampton countiesare under a winter weather advisory Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon,
Northampton County could see total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, while Lehigh County is expecting 3 to 5 inches of snow.
“The bottom line is, sometimes emergencies happen," Salet said. "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 Utilities serves about 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania.
Staying safe, saving on bills
To ensure customers get the best service this winter, PPL Electric offers the following tips for staying safe and to save on their energy bills:
- Customers can adjust their alert preferences from the company during storms and severe weather to receive a phone call, text or email at pplelectric.com/alerts.
- To report an outage, phone 1-800-DIAL-PPL, text “Outage” to TXTPPL or visit pplelectric.com/outage.
PPL Electric also suggested what it said are easy, inexpensive tips to help customers save energy and money when the temperature drops:
- Leave curtains and blinds open — During the day, capture the sun’s light and heat to gain warmth from the sun. At night, close curtains and blinds to prevent that free heat from escaping.
- Prevent fireplace heat loss — Keep the damper closed when not using the fireplace so warm air doesn’t escape through the chimney. Energy-efficient fireplace grates also help save by pulling cool air out of the room and into the fireplace while bringing warm air back into the room.
- Reverse the direction of ceiling fans — 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 doors, windows and ductwork for gaps that could leak heat from the home. Many of these cracks and leaks can easily be fixed with caulk and weatherstripping.
- Adjust your thermostat — When at 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. While sleeping or out of the house, lower the thermostat by 10-15 degrees. Lowering the thermostat for at least eight hours can save up to 10% on the heating bill. A programmable thermostat will make it even easier to save.
Safety tips
PPL Electric suggests a few other important storm safety tips to remember:
- Charge 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.
“The winter can be unpredictable and unforgiving, but our team is always ready to respond,” Salet said.
“Our grid is strong, reliable and evolving, and our employees are committed to keeping customers safe and warm this season.”
