Frugal Family: Save on Summer Electric Bills

True or False?

Restricting electricity usage primarily to the evening hours can lower energy bills.

Answer: True AND False! While you can benefit from the savings, you only are eligible after you sign up for a cost-saving program.

The program, called the  “Residential Time-of-Use (TOU) Option.” Allows customers to save money by shifting electricity use away from peak hours when the prices are usually highest.

Starting on June 1, “summer hours” begin, and last through September. If you’re a current PPL customer, simply call their customer service number (800-342-5775) or visit their website at www.pplelectric.com to register for the FREE program.

According to a note from PPL:

“The new time-of-use rates for residential customers (RS) and residential thermal storage customers (RTS) will be the same.

The new rate for on-peak hours, which is 1-6 p.m. weekdays, will be 12.37 cents per kilowatt-hour and 10.65 cents per kilowatt-hour during off-peak hours. The previous rates for RS customers on the time-of-use rate were 7.54 cents per kilowatt-hour for on-peak hours and 6.1 cents per kilowatt-hour for off-peak hours. The previous rates for the RTS time-of-use plan were 7.58 cents per kilowatt-hour for on-peak hours and 5.83 cents per kilowatt-hour for off-peak hours. "

Standard PP&L rates will be 8.77 cents/kwh and one of their divisions is offering 12 months fixed at 8.6 cents.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/PPL-Electric-Utilities-to-prnews-1005338674.html?x=0&.v=1

What does this mean? Turn off the A/C, dishwasher, T.V., electric dryer and other energy-sucking appliances during the summer afternoons. Go to the pool instead!

Also contrary to popular belief, turning off the A/C altogether does not save money over the long term. Instead, keep your temperatures set a little higher while you’re away and lower them when you’re at home. Keep air conditioning units out of the direct sun and fill gaps around the windows.

Saving electricity doesn’t just save money, its saves the environment. Good for your wallet and the planet, that’s what I call savings!