ALLENTOWN, Pa. (Jan. 20, 2026) – Another cold snap has entered our territory and is expected to hang around through the end of January. Low temperatures reaching into the single digits are expected in areas throughout PPL Electric Utilities’ territory.

Colder temperatures can cause significantly higher demand for electricity. PPL Electric Utilities works year-round to maintain and improve its infrastructure and stands ready to serve customers reliably regardless of the conditions. PPL Electric always encourages its customers to be prepared and stay safe – especially during these cold temperatures.

What customers can do:

Be prepared:

Prepare an emergency kit, including non-perishable food, water, medication, first aid supplies and any pet supplies you may need. Be sure to include batteries and battery-operated flashlights. Store your emergency kit in one location, preferably in an airtight container. Charge your phones and other devices when able.

Stay informed:

PPL Electric uses several ways to communicate with customers before and during severe weather. Customers can sign up for alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. Alerts can be customized based on your preferences, including phone, email or text message. If an outage does occur, customers can get outage alerts and updates on our website at pplelectric.com/outage. Be sure to sign up for local emergency alerts and stay tuned to the weather forecast.

Warming shelters:

PPL Electric wants to remind customers to follow their local emergency agencies for warming shelter information as it becomes available.

Extreme cold safety tips:

Customers’ safety is most important. Here are important safety tips to keep in mind when staying warm during periods of extreme cold:

• Space heaters: Use space heaters sparingly, and only when needed. Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips. Be sure to give them plenty of space and keep them on a level surface away from flammable objects and foot traffic. Don’t leave these devices unattended or use them while you are sleeping.
• Electric blankets and heating pads: Make sure to inspect these devices before each use to ensure there is no damage. Do not place other objects or blankets on top of electric blankets while in use. Do not tuck an electric blanket into the mattress and never leave these devices unattended or use them while you are sleeping.
• Generators: If you must use a generator, read and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and take heed of any warnings. This includes making sure you use the proper fuel for the generator and only add fuel when the generator is cool. Make sure to inspect the generator before each use to ensure it’s in good working order. Generators should never be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home or business. Be sure to also keep them away from windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to sneak inside. Even though you will be using the generator outside, make sure that your home has battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors that are in good, working condition.

In the event of an outage:

• Avoid using candles for lighting because they can start fires. Use flashlights instead.
• Avoid opening your refrigerator and freezer as much as possible.
• Do not use gas ovens or ranges to heat your home.
• Unplug sensitive home electronics. Turn off ovens and space heaters that may have been on when the outage occurred.
• In the event of an emergency during an outage, call 911.

Energy-saving tips:

Even during extreme cold, customers can still save energy and money with these tips:

• Heat loss is even greater during periods of extreme cold. Be sure to cover drafty windows. Roll up a towel or blanket for the bottom of draft exterior doors. If possible, add caulking or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.
• Make sure that rugs, drapes and furniture are not blocking airflow to and from heating registers, radiators or baseboard heaters. Rooms will have better circulation, and it will allow your system to work as intended, using less energy.
• Bundle up with extra blankets or clothes. You can save up to 1% in heating costs for every degree you dial back your thermostat, according to the Department of Energy.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Having the damper open is like having a window wide open as it allows warm air to escape through the chimney.
• Allowing the sun to shine in through your windows during the day can keep your home warmer, which means using less energy. When the sun goes down, be sure to close the drapes to reduce heat loss through windows.

About PPL Electric Utilities

PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to about 1.5 million homes and businesses in eastern and central Pennsylvania. It regularly ranks among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. It is a part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies. Visit pplelectric.com or connect on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for energy efficiency tips, bill help information, guidance on shopping for an electricity supplier, storm updates and more.