Understand Your PPL Electric Utilities Bill

Understanding how to read your electricity bill is the first step in becoming an empowered energy consumer and being able to take control of your power bills. Here we take a sample PPL Electric Utilities bill to help you understand how it works.

First Page

1. PPL Electric Utility Contact Information

The top header on your bill indicates the various ways to contact PPL Electric Utilities, including by phone or online.

2. Account Information

The most important information on your bill is summarized on the top right-hand corner: your PPL Electric Utilities account number, the bill due date, and the total amount due. Your PPL account number is 9 digits long, and you will need to use this number to switch to a new supplier when you shop for electricity. 

3. Electric Usage Profile

Here you will find your service address and meter number. Make sure that these numbers are correct, in order to ensure that you are being billed accurately. The date of your next meter reading should also be listed. You will also see a small graph that shows your average daily usage over the past two years (24 months).

Did You Know?Most people tend to use more electricity in the summer months, especially if they have air conditioning.

4. Billing Summary

This section provides an overview of your account balance, current charges, amount due, and the due date. You will find a more detailed breakdown of your billing charges on the following page. If you pay your bills in full and on time, your previous balance should be at $0.00, but any outstanding charges will be added to your current bill. Similarly, if you have a previous credit on your account, your current amount owing will be reduced accordingly.

5. Shopping Advice

PPL Electric Utilities provides a few tips on how to shop for electricity. If you are interested in switching suppliers, you can check out the Pennsylvania government websites (papowerswitch.org or www.oca.state.pa.us), or call us at phone currently not available to get the lowest power prices available in your area. 

The PPL Electric Price to Compare will also be listed in this section. This is a variable price that changes about every three months. Use this price to determine whether you can get a deal with an alternative supplier.

6. Bill Payment

Below the Shopping Advice section is a section called "Manage Your Account" that explains the various ways you can pay your PPL Electric Utilities bill. You will also find different ways to contact PPL Electric.

7. Payment Stub

At the bottom of your bill is the payment stub. You can use this to pay your bill by mail. There is a summary of your account information, including how much you owe and by what date the amount needs to be paid. 

Second Page

1. Message Center

On the top left hand corner of the second page of your bill is the message center, where you will find any important information that PPL Electric Utilities needs to communicate to you. This may include safety reminders, or tips on how to save energy. 

2. Billing Details

Under the Billing Details section (found on the top right hand corner of the second page of your bill). Here you will find your previous balance, including the date and amount of your last payment. You will also see a detailed description of your current charges for power. Your electricity costs are broken down into two main charges: charges for electricity supply (known as Generation & Transmission charges) and charges for electricity distribution.

PPL Electric Utilities charges you for electricity distribution, no matter who your power supplier is. These charges are variable, meaning that they are based on how much power you consume (as opposed to being a fixed per day or per month charge). You will also find any additional charges that might be applicable (such as for late payment), along with the total amount due and deadline for payment.

3. General Information

This section provides regulatory information about rates and charges associated with your bill. 

4. Understanding Your Bill

Here you can find a brief summary of certain terms you might find on your bill. These include: 

• Customer charge: this is a monthly charge that covers the costs of meters and equipment
• Distribution charge: this covers the costs of operating the low-voltage electrical distribution infrastructure that brings electricity to your home
• System improvement charge: this charge covers the costs of maintaining and upgrading distribution infrastructure
• Kilowatt-hour (kWh): the measurement for electricity consumption
• Late payment charge: added to your bill if you do not pay it by the due date
• Rate RS: the name of the rate class for residential customers
• State Tax Adjustment Surcharge: a monthly tax/credit that is applied to your bill that reflects any changes in various state taxes. 
• Types of Meter Readings: Your meter reading may be "Act" (actual) or "Est" (for an estimated reading, if the reader wasn't able to reach your meter)

5. Automatic Bill Payment

At the bottom of the second page you will find enrollment information for automatic bill payment with PPL Electric Utilities. With automated payment, your amount owing is automatically deducted from your bank account the day that it is due, which allows you to avoid the possiblity of paying late payment fees.

To enroll, all you have to do is sign, date, and return the form along with your check payment for the current month (no need to send a voided check). Note that only checks can be used - no money orders, foreign checks, or cashier checks allowed. You can also sign up for automated bill payment online through your online PPL Electric Utilities account.

Third Page

Supplier Billing Details

On the final page of your bill you will find a detailed breakdown of your electricity supply charges from your chosen alternate supplier, along with their contact information (phone number, addres, website, etc). If you have any questions about your bill, contact your chosen supplier as soon as possible.

Looking to Save Money on Your Bill With PPL Electric Utilities?

Electricity prices are rising each year, so here are a few ideas for taking the pressure off your energy budget. The most effective change you can make is to reduce your overall energy consumption. A lot of the items on your PPL Electric Utilities bill are charged on a per kWh basis, so improving your energy efficiency at home can go a long way towards lowering your bills.

Energy Saving Ideas Check out some of our useful tips about how to save money on your energy bills, including how to save money in the summer, how to use your appliances wisely, and all about a little thing called vampire energy

Another option you can take is to take a look at the rate you're paying with PPL Electric Utilities, and see if it can be beat by an alternate energy supply company. With electricity markets in the PPL Electric Utilities service area open to competition, many alternative suppliers can offer competitive rates for electricity and natural gas.