ronreadingpa t1_jcyulrx wrote on March 20, 2023 at 4:38 PM

PPL is among, if not the, most expensive electricity utility in the state. While one can reduce the bite a bit by choosing another supplier with PPL only serving as the distributor, cost may still be high. PPL seemingly has gone off the rails to appease investors.

If you currently have gas heat, consider staying with that. There are rebates for newer, high-efficiency gas systems too. UGI was doing a $500 rebate awhile back. Not sure what they're offering now.

Look at the whole picture, including typical weather in your area. For lower southeast PA, heat pump often makes sense. While none of PA gets extreme cold weather like NY state, temps under 20 will be challenging for many heat pumps. Air will be less hot and more defrost cycles. Below 10 or so, which varies widely with system, auxiliary / emergency heat will be needed. Many heat pumps use electric heating strips for that, which draw more power.

Heat pumps (which is basically what central air conditioning is, but in reverse) works great for many, but may not save much due to the pricing difference of electric versus gas. Worse, I strongly suspect PPL will be at the forefront of pushing time of use rates on to residential customers. However, not all is roses over in gas land either. UGI and some others have added a Weather Normalization Adjustment. While touted as usually being some nominal amount, it's more than that on some people's bills.

Rambling on. Yes, rebates are available and some tax credits. Be aware federal tax credits are nonrefundable. Not an issue for many working people, but for lower income (ie. those working in retail) and retirees, they often can't fully take advantage of them.

Kristin2349 t1_jd45div wrote on March 21, 2023 at 6:28 PM

PPL doesn’t generate electricity, they haven’t since the mid 90s. They won’t make any money of time of use plans and have actually lobbied to make them illegal in PA.

ronreadingpa t1_jd4ltk2 wrote on March 21, 2023 at 8:12 PM

PPL seemingly didn't negotiate their default rate in good faith. Significant rate increases that far exceed that of other PA utilities.

Read a blurb in another article suggesting PPL is seeking to shift more customers to 3rd party suppliers. Statistics bear that out with about twice the percentage (~30%+) of PPL customers with 3rd party suppliers verses customers of other utilities.

PPL has in the past commented about the problems with 3rd party suppliers, but lately it appears they're seeking to get to out of supplying electricity at all. PPL has jumped the shark lately to appease shareholders.

Their recent meter reading incident followed by billing problems followed by lack of customer service is a prime example. Never seen PPL this bad. Something has definitely changed for the worse.

Furthermore, while PPL isn't permitted to profit from supply, my hunch is that PPL related companies and/or insiders are. Would like to see that investigated.

Good point about time of use plans, but gives PPL another way to push customers away to 3rd party suppliers despite knowing many of them are so shady with some being outright ripoffs. Also, a time of use plan could include a distribution component as well to curtail peak loads over its distribution network. Saving money on upgrading transformers and the like long as possible.