With the official start of summer just around the corner, PECO has been hard at work ensuring the company’s critical electric infrastructure is prepared to handle increased demand as temperatures heat up and as the seasons change. This proactive effort also includes infrastructure work to strengthen the local energy grid to help prevent those outages that can be prevented and to reinforce the grid against the increasing impacts of severe summer storms.  

PECO is investing approximately $9.3 billion during the next five years across its electric and natural gas systems to complete targeted system enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, inspect equipment, and perform necessary tree trimming and other vegetation management. Continued infrastructure investments will also help the company meet the growing energy demands of customers and support future growth and development. 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 more than 200 projects and initiatives across the region specifically to help keep customers powered through the hottest days of the year. 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 to minimize the impacts of outages when they do occur.

This significant investment and the company’s use of innovative technologies resulted in record-breaking reliability performance in 2023. Last year, PECO customers experienced the lowest power outage rate in company history, with 86 percent of customers experiencing zero or one outage throughout the year. Even when outages could not be prevented, crews were able to safely restore power in just 90 minutes, on average.  

“We are committed to providing our customers safe, reliable, and resilient service every day, especially during extreme temperatures,” said Nicole LeVine, PECO’s Senior Vice President and COO. “The significant investments we’re making year-round will help keep the lights on for our customers and reduce the impact of the increasing extreme weather we continue to face.”

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. 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

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 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. Learn more at PECO.

Additionally, 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 are 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, 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.

Bill Relief and Assistance Programs

PECO has the highest customer assistance program participation in the state to help customers manage their energy bills. Income-qualified programs are available to help customers with past-due balance forgiveness, energy efficiency measures, hardship grants, and referrals for other services. The company also helps connect customers with programs that provide grant assistance for outstanding balances, like LIHEAP. Learn more about assistance programs.