As Heat Cranks Up Electric Bills, PECO Offers Cost-Saving Tips

PHILADELPHIA — In case you were unaware: it's hot in the Philadelphia region.

With such intense heat comes overtime for your air conditioning units and fans. And with those appliances working hard comes increased electricity bills.

Luckily, PECO is offering tips to customers in the region on how to beat the heat without breaking the bank.

Check out these tips from PECO as the thermometers hang in the low to mid 90s for the next several days:

• Turn it off: Turn off all unnecessary lighting and devices.
• Manage your thermostat: Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level when at home. Raise the thermostat setting for days of extreme heat to save even more. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature settings when you're away or sleeping.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed: About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply closing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat in your home.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate air: For those without air conditioning, use ceiling fans or portable fans with the windows partially open to circulate fresh air into your home. For those with air conditioning, fans can be used to evenly distribute cool air.
• Use appliances wisely: Run appliances that produce heat (like clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.

Customer can also track their energy usage online, set up high usage alerts, get tips on how to reduce energy costs, and learn which appliances use the most energy online here.

PECO has been working for the past several months to ensure its electric infrastructure is ready to handle increased energy demands during heatwaves such as the one the region is seeing now.

In preparation for summer, PECO tested systems, processes, and procedures, and completed 286 projects and initiatives across the region to ensure customers stay powered this summer and through the current heat wave.