How PECO is helping customers through one of Philly’s hottest summers

We’ve had no shortage of heatwaves, heat advisories and “feels like 105” days this summer. PECO wants you to understand how extreme heat can impact your bill, what steps you can take to save energy and money and how to get assistance if you need it.

Summer 2025 Snapshot

Although we’ve had many hot days this summer, the impact of record-breaking heat in June and July is likely to show up on some current and upcoming energy bills.

JUNE

• Temperatures hit 100 degrees (with a heat index of up to 110) from June 23 through June 25
• June 23 and 24 broke the daily record high temperatures, set as early as 1923
• These extreme temperatures drove increased customer energy usage above average with PECO reporting the third highest usage day on record on June 24

JULY

• The region experienced several heat waves in July – with 19 days above 90 degrees for the month
• Overall, the temperatures for July were two or three degrees above normal
• July 2025 was slightly hotter than July 2024
• July 25 broke the daily record high set in 2016 of 97 degrees

Understand what impacts your bill, and what you can do about it

In addition to the heat, we recognize concerns about increasing costs and the economic challenges many are facing right now, and we want to make sure you not only understand your bills, but also the resources available to lower energy usage and save money. 

• Use energy wisely, take steps to be more efficient, and take advantage of the many available bill relief or assistance programs. 
• Energy efficiency programs, like energy assessments, can help customers save energy and money by identifying opportunities throughout your home. To learn more about PECO’s residential programs visit http://www.peco.com/WaysToSave.  
• Your bill is unique to you and can vary based on energy use, how energy-efficient your home or business is, to your energy supplier. PECO’s goal is to make sure you are well-informed about the factors affecting your bill so they can consider all potential ways to save energy and money.
• Visit peco.com/BillSupport where they will find additional information on understanding their energy bill, rates and more.  

How to manage your usage and your bill

Take the time to understand and take advantage of energy efficiency programs, including energy assessments that identify ways to save even more. Visit www.peco.com/WaysToSave to learn more.  Small changes make an impact. You can lower your 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 by 7 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.  

Track your energy use, get energy advice tailored just for you

• With PECO’s My Account, you can track your energy use, get customized tips on how to reduce energy costs, and learn which appliances use the most energy. In addition, you can get alerts about your current usage and other factors that could be impacting your bill, such temperature fluctuations any time of the year.  
• In addition, Budget Billing makes short-term fluctuations in monthly bills easier to handle by dividing annual energy costs evenly throughout the year. 

You can shop around for your energy supplier

• Shop for natural gas or electricity with a competitive supplier.   
• To find competitive natural gas or electric generation suppliers or learn more about shopping visit the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s websites at www.pagasswitch.com or www.papowerswitch.com.  
• As a reminder, it’s still important for customers to understand their competitive supplier contract as the rate or terms could change. 
• In addition, you can sign up for the Standard Offer Program. This is an option for all customers to receive seven percent off the Price to Compare when you enroll with a participating Electric Generation Supplier. 

PECO Customer Relief Fund may be able help

• PECO recently announced the Customer Relief Fund (CRF), offering $10 million in bill assistance to help income eligible customers manage the burden of rising summer energy costs. Supported by Exelon, PECO’s parent company, CRF will provide one-time grants of $500 for qualifying limited- and moderate-income customers. “The PECO Customer Relief Fund targets those who far too often fall between the cracks – hard-working families who make too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to be financially secure,” said Austin Davis, Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania.
• PECO customers can apply for assistance through United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. To learn more, visit peco.com/Relief.

Ongoing assistance options

• PECO has the highest customer assistance program participation in the state. Income-qualified programs are available to help customers with past-due balance forgiveness, energy efficiency measures, hardship grants, and referrals for other services. PECO also helps connect customers with programs that provide grant assistance for outstanding balances, like LIHEAP. For more information about assistance programs, visit  peco.com/Help.