October 2025 Business Connect
PPL Electric UtilitiesStay productive and save energy: Simple energy-saving tips for winter
As cooler weather rolls in and Energy Awareness Month gets underway, it’s a great time to make sure your business is ready for the season. A few simple updates can help keep your workspace comfortable while saving energy and reducing operating costs.
Before the cold sets in, inspect your building’s HVAC system. Replace filters regularly to keep airflow efficient and schedule a professional tune-up to catch any issues early. Learn more about our HVAC tune-up program at pplelectric.com/BusinessRebates.
Seal windows, doors and entry points
Drafts around windows, doors and loading docks can lead to heat loss and higher energy bills. Use weatherstripping, caulk or door sweeps to seal gaps. Even small fixes can make a big impact on indoor comfort and heating efficiency.
Optimize lighting
Shorter days mean lights stay on longer. Switching to LED bulbs and installing motion sensors in low-traffic areas like restrooms, break rooms and storage spaces can help reduce unnecessary energy use.
Use ceiling fans strategically
If your facility has ceiling fans, reverse their direction to clockwise in the winter. This helps push warm air down from the ceiling, improving comfort and allowing you to lower the thermostat slightly.
Engage your team
Encourage employees to power down equipment when not in use, report drafts or maintenance issues and dress appropriately for the season. Small behavioral changes across your team can lead to big savings.
Preparing your business for winter doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few smart updates and a little planning, you can keep your space comfortable, reduce energy waste and protect your bottom line all season long.
Ward off energy vampires
Spooky season is in full swing, so it’s the perfect time to address energy vampires and their diabolical drain on your energy budget. Energy vampires are devices in your facility that draw power night and day, even when they’re not in use. Take these measures to help ward them away.
- Enable power management “sleep” settings on all computers and office equipment to avoid wasting energy after hours.
- Plug computers and electronics into advanced power strips or smart plugs.
- Replace creepy old electronics with newer, ENERGY STAR®-certified models.
- Discourage the use of personal appliances, like space heaters, by maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature and appliances in a central area.
- Vending machines are popular at lunch, but they eat away your energy budget all hours of the day. Occupancy sensors can help stop the energy waste by reducing power when no one is around.
Source: Questline Digital
Big news: Higher incentives now available!
Small businesses can benefit from increased incentives for energy efficiency upgrades. Whether you're improving lighting, refrigeration or compressed air, our updated incentive rates can help cover up to 80% of total project costs.
New, higher incentives include:
- Custom energy efficiency projects: $0.15/kWh
- Direct discounts on exterior lighting: $0.15/kWh
- Direct discounts on interior lighting and efficiency equipment (includes HVAC, refrigeration and more): $0.20/kWh
- Prescriptive projects: $0.10/kWh
Support every step of the way Our team of Energy Advisors are here to help you:
- Understand available incentives
- Navigate the application process
- Connect with participating contractors
Whether you're upgrading your HVAC system or installing efficient lighting, we’ll guide you from start to finish. Contact us today at pplelectric.com/ContactSavings.
Instant discounts. Immediate savings.
As part of our Business Energy Efficiency Program, we offer instant discounts on qualifying high-efficiency equipment — such as lighting — through participating distributors. These incentives help businesses offset upgrade costs without the hassle of paperwork. By working directly with distributors, businesses can quickly and easily switch to energy-saving equipment.
Learn more about qualifying equipment and available incentives at: pplelectric.com/InstantDiscounts.
Ask Tom: A PPL Electric advisor
Question: I want to lower my energy bill, but I’m not sure where to start. Can you help?
Answer: Absolutely! Our new Energy Analyzer is a free, easy-to-use tool that helps you understand how your home uses energy — and how to use less. Once you log in to your account, you’ll see a personalized dashboard showing when, where and how energy is being used. You can view trends over time, compare bills and even get a breakdown of usage by equipment type.
Complete your home profile to unlock customized tips and recommendations tailored to your lifestyle and energy habits. No guesswork — just smart insights that help you save energy and money. Whether you’re looking to improve comfort or simply use energy more efficiently, the Energy Analyzer gives you the tools to take control.
Ready to get started? Visit pplelectric.com/EnergyAnalyzer.
About your advisor: As manager of Energy Efficiency, Dr. Tom McAteer is responsible for driving the success of our residential, commercial & industrial, and income-eligible energy efficiency programs. With over 15 years of experience in program design and management, he has consistently contributed to research in the areas of sustainability, efficiency and electrification, fostering positive change in our local communities. Tom has completed thousands of energy audits and assessments and is passionate about empowering customers through energy education.