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COVER STORY

Business downtime: Steps to save energy and money

These are extraordinary times, and many businesses are working differently. Some have closed their doors temporarily; others have moved to a work-from-home model or changed their hours of operation.

Here are a few steps you can take to save energy and money until things get back to normal.

Adjust temperatures
Don't waste energy keeping your empty building comfortable. Raise or lower thermostat settings (depending on the weather) to minimize the use of your air conditioning system. Consider installing smart, programmable thermostats to regulate the temperature in your business.

Get in the zone
If you’ve cut down to limited operations, zone your building so only occupied spaces are air conditioned. Adjust temperatures in the unoccupied areas to save energy, but keep them at reasonable levels to reduce the impact on occupied zones.

Limit lighting
If an area isn’t being used, remember to turn off all lights, with the exception of necessary security lighting. Install timers on security lights and light sensors on outdoor lighting, so they operate only when needed.

Pull the plug
Unplug all unnecessary or unused appliances and electronic equipment; many of these devices continue to draw power even when they are turned off. Advanced power strips are a smart, low-cost upgrade. They automatically switch off power to plugged-in devices based on usage or a set schedule.

Focus on maintenance
Take this opportunity to perform some routine maintenance that will save energy and improve the performance of your equipment. Fix water leaks. Inspect, clean and repair motors, compressed air units and any other equipment to ensure efficient operation.

Clean and sanitize
Cleaning and sanitizing your facility can help keep employees, visitors and customers healthy. Also, you can brighten your indoor environment – and rely less on artificial lights – by cleaning your windows and removing dust buildup on lamps and light fixtures.

Visit pplelectricbusinesssavings.com for more energy efficiency tips and information.

* Source: Questline

Ask Marilyn

Question
Do you have any suggestions for where I can find resources to help my business through the coronavirus pandemic?

Answer
Sure thing. PPL has posted a dedicated web page where businesses can find updates on our response to the coronavirus, as well as links to helpful resources available through the federal government, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or other industry organizations and groups. Check it out at pplelectric.com/coronavirus-business.

Marilyn smiling

Save energy and money. Visit pplelectricbusinesssavings.com.

Linemen working on powerlines

We're ready for summer storms

Many things have changed in the age of coronavirus. But some things never change, like PPL’s commitment to keeping the lights on for your business.

We’re working throughout this pandemic to keep our grid strong, resilient and safe. Rest assured, if a storm hits and outages occur, we’ll be ready to respond to restore your power as safely and as quickly as we can.

While we’re continuing with our critical work, we are working differently during these times.

We’re limiting direct interaction between our employees and customers, and respecting social distancing. We’ve also taken steps to reduce potential employee exposure to the coronavirus, limited visitation at our facilities, moved to remote work where possible, and increased cleaning and sanitizing of our work areas and equipment.

You’ll still see our employees and contractors out in your community, but you’ll notice that they’re wearing non-surgical, homemade or better face coverings.

We care about our customers, that’s why we’re asking that if you see a PPL worker, you respect social distancing of at least 10 feet.

We’re committed to delivering for you throughout this pandemic and long into the future.

lightbulb with coins

Shop Smart: Price to Compare decreases as of June 1

As of June 1, the price to compare for electricity supply has decreased. That translates to potential savings for your business. Here are the facts:

  • PPL delivers electricity, but we don’t generate and supply it to the market. In Pennsylvania, you can choose the electricity supplier that offers the price and service that is right for you.
  • You can shop around for deals on electricity supply for your business. If you choose not to shop, you’ll receive default service through PPL. We hold energy auctions to purchase power on your behalf at market prices – this is known as the price to compare. It’s updated every June 1 and Dec. 1.
  • As of June 1, the price to compare for small business customers is 6.079 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), down from the current 6.360 cents per kWh. We ran some recent numbers prior to this change. We found that 74 percent of our small business customers who shop for their electricity supply are paying a supply rate higher than PPL’s Price to Compare.

The price to compare is an important reference point. Be sure to check your supply rate regularly and compare for potential savings! Visit pplelectric.com/shopping to learn more.

Coronavirus Update

Suspension of late fees and service terminations

As the world still grapples with COVID-19, we’ve got your back. In early March, we suspended late payment charges and stopped cutting off service for non-payment. We want you to know that we’ll provide plenty of notice before our suspension of late fees and service terminations is lifted.

For the latest news, updates and information, visit pplelectric.com/coronavirus-business. Stay safe and healthy!

Have a suggestion for a newsletter? Email us at connect@pplweb.com.