As the first day of summer approaches, PECO is ready to help customers stay cool and manage their energy usage. With the forecast predicting a series of 90-plus-degree days next week, PECO is committed to providing safe and reliable energy and has been hard at work to ensure the company’s critical electric infrastructure is prepared to handle increased customer energy demands.

As part of that commitment, PECO is investing approximately $9.3 billion across its electric and natural gas systems to complete targeted infrastructure enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, inspect existing equipment, and perform vegetation management work. 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.

Beyond providing tips and information to help customers use less energy, PECO distributed nearly 600 free fans this week — an annual tradition to mark the beginning of summer and support households across the area that are most in need. This year, PECO partnered with local agencies and community organizations to distribute the fans to senior adults and families through its annual Summer Fan Distribution Program.

Just as PECO prepares for the summer and high temperatures, customers should be ready, too. There are several low- and no-cost tips that customers can follow to take control of their energy use and save money. Customers can take advantage of energy-efficiency programs to save energy and money, including energy assessments that identify ways to save even more. Visit PECO to learn more.

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 and increase setting by seven degrees when no one is home. Start with an indoor temperature between 75-78 degrees during the day. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings when you are away or sleeping.
• Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed: In the summer, consider closing window coverings to reduce heat gain. For natural light, open those window coverings that don’t get direct sunlight.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate air: Ceiling fans are the most effective type of circulating fan. They help improve comfort year-round by effectively circulating air throughout a room. In summer, run ceiling fans counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
• 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. It can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15 percent.
• Choose energy-efficient products: When buying new cooling equipment, select energy-efficient products. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing new products.
• Weatherize your home: Reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home is a cost-effective way to reduce cooling costs and increase comfort.
• Use appliances wisely: Run appliances that produce heat (like clothes dryers, ovens, and dishwashers) at night when it is cooler.

Through PECO’s MyAccount, customers can also 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. Customers can learn more about their bill, how to track usage, and explore energy efficiency and assistance programs at PECO.