​Company ensures it's ready to meet high temperatures and provides tips for customers to save energy and money

PHILADELPHIA (June 5, 2023) – With summer just around the corner, PECO has been hard at work prepping for the higher temperatures, increased usage, and severe storms that come with the season. During the past several months, PECO has ensured the company's critical electric infrastructure is prepared to handle increased demand during the summer. This proactive effort also includes infrastructure work to strengthen the local energy grid to prevent outages caused by severe summer storms.  

During the next five years, PECO is investing approximately $7.8 billion across its electric and natural gas systems to inspect equipment, complete targeted infrastructure enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, and perform vegetation management work. This investment includes PECO's Reliability & Resiliency Plan, which outlines the investment of $1.36 billion on targeted reliability-focused electric system infrastructure investments through 2025. As part of this work and in preparation for the summer season, PECO has tested systems, processes, and procedures, and has completed 204 projects and initiatives across the region to ensure customers stay powered this summer.

The company also continues to explore innovative technologies to help improve reliability for customers. This includes using drones to enable more efficient equipment inspections and faster damage assessments following storms, installing stronger poles and tree-resistant aerial cable, and installing specialized equipment, known as reclosers, that can automatically restore service or isolate storm damage.

This significant investment and the company's use of innovative technologies resulted in record-breaking reliability performance in 2022. Last year, PECO customers experienced the fewest number of power outages in company history, and 87 percent of PECO customers experienced zero or one power outage.

"Our customers are at the center of everything we do, which is why we're committed to providing safe, reliable, and resilient service every day, especially during the hotter months," said Nicole LeVine, PECO senior vice president and COO. "The critical investments we're making year-round will help prevent customer outages, modernize the electric grid, and reduce the impact of the more prevalent extreme weather we've seen in recent years."

Storm Safety

While PECO works to prevent as many outages as possible, severe storms can cause damage and power outages. Customers can act now to prepare for severe weather by visiting peco.com/storm. PECO offers important storm readiness resources, including how to prepare for an approaching storm, how to properly use generators if power is lost, what to expect after storms, and how to stay safe.

Tips to Help Manage your Bill

Energy supply costs have fluctuated during the past two years due to a combination of factors. While natural gas prices have begun to decrease, electricity prices remain slightly elevated. Managing energy usage is especially important during the summer months as this is typically the time when customers use more electricity to cool their homes and businesses. There are several low- and no-cost tips that customers can follow to gain control over their energy use and costs to save money.

Energy Efficiency

Customers can take advantage of energy efficiency programs to save energy and money, including energy assessments that identify ways to save even more. Visit www.peco.com/waystosave to learn more.

In addition, customers can lower their bills during the summer months by following a few simple tips:

• 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.
  

• Service your AC: Make sure to replace or clean the air filters for your cooling system at least once a month (or as often as recommended by the manufacturer) and have your system serviced regularly.

Monitor Usage

• Through PECO's MyAccount at https://www.peco.com/myaccount, customers can track their energy use, set up high usage alerts, get tips on how to reduce energy costs, and learn which appliances use the most energy.
  

Shop for Energy

• Customers may be able to save money by shopping for natural gas or electricity with a competitive supplier.  
• To find competitive natural gas or electric generation suppliers or learn more about shopping visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's websites at www.pagasswitch.com or www.papowerswitch.com.
• In addition, customers can sign up for the Standard Offer Program. This is an option to all customers to receive seven percent off the Price to Compare when they enroll with a participating Electric Generation Supplier.
  

Bill Relief and Assistance Programs

PECO has billing and financial assistance programs to help qualified customers who are facing financial challenges manage their energy bill. PECO also offers additional programs that can help customers pay down outstanding balances through grants. Income-qualified programs are also available to help customers with bill credits, energy efficiency, and referrals for additional services. For more information about financial assistance programs, customers can visit www.peco.com/help.

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