Energy educator: Info is power in adjusting to higher electricity rates

BY LARRY DEKLINSKI (Staff Writer larry_d@newsitem.com)
Published: October 16, 2009

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COAL TOWNSHIP - When it comes to saving energy, there is power in information.

"The more information you have, the wiser choice you can make," Michael Touey, PPL energy educator, told a handful of people at a public information meeting about energy savings Wednesday at Shamokin Area Junior-Senior High School.

Touey was invited by Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) Inc. and the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce to speak in advance of the lifting of utility rate caps in January, which is expected to spark double-digit increases in electricity costs.

Touey said learning how and when people use the most electricity can be done through PPL's Energy Analyzer Web site, developed last year.

"It's a way to see your carbon footprint," said Touey. "The cheapest electricity, for you and for us, is electricity you don't use."

Analyze your bill

The analyzer uses the same system PPL uses to determine residents' monthly bill. The amount of power consumed is relayed back through the lines from the meter at a home. The program then stores that data for the customer to view. All that is needed to access the analyzer is an account number and last bill.

After logging in, visitors are asked a series of questions concerning the types of building materials and home appliances in use. Through this information, the Web site lists recommendations on how to save energy and calculates the savings that could be achieved.

Touey said the more information provided, the better the results.

Customers may also view current or past bills, up to six years prior, and make comparisons of their power consumption by year, month, day or hour. Customers can also overlay temperatures throughout the year to compare when power consumption may have risen or fallen.

Touey said through this information, a homeowner can identify appliances that may turn on and off automatically without knowledge.

Good for kids

He said it's also a way to see if energy consumption spikes when, for example, children arrive home from school.

"Parents have used it to teach children to be more energy efficient," said Touey. "If they (children) see it online, then it must be true."

Touey said on average a customer uses the bulk of energy on heating, cooling and lighting.

Pamphlets from PPL, CSO and the Northumberland County Weatherization Program were available to guests.

On the net: www.pplelectric.com

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