With winter cold and snow on the way, Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. offers customers advice on how to remain warm, comfortable and safe in their homes.

To help reduce winter energy bills, PP&L's tips include the following:

• Install weatherstripping around doors and caulking around windows to seal out cold air.
• Insulate to recommended levels attics, basements and walls between heated and unheated areas of your home.
• Take advantage of the sun's warmth. Open drapes and curtains to let the sun in during the day. Close them at night to keep the heat inside.
• Dress warmly; wear several layers of clothes.
• Close the fireplace door and damper when there's no fire going.
• Set the thermostat at the lowest temperature at which you feel comfortable. If your thermostat is not accurate, replace it. You will save money in the long run, reduce wear and tear on your heating system and feel more comfortable.

Electric heating systems are clean, easy to maintain and provide years of home comfort. Electric heat pumps are highly efficient, delivering more energy (in heat) than they consume. They provide the added benefit of central air conditioning in summer. Geothermal heat pumps use renewable energy from the earth to heat and cool homes.

Customers who have heat pumps should clean or replace the air filters regularly and have a professional contractor service inspect the heat pump once a year. If the heat pump has an outdoor compressor, the customer needs to shovel snow away from the air vents, and keep the vents clear of leaves and debris so that air flow is not blocked.

Heat pumps operate most efficiently and economically when the outdoor compressor is kept clear of snow and ice. Shovling around the heat pump compressor while clearing the sidewalk and driveway will help people stay warmer and reduce their energy bill.

Also, heat pumps run most economically when the thermostat setting remains constant. Customers with a heat pump system may find they use more energy bringing room temperatures back to daytime levels when they turn back the thermostat at night.

PP&L electric service is highly reliable; when you turn the switch, the power is there. But winter wind, ice and snow can lead to power outages, especially when ice and snow build up on tree limbs, and the weighed-down limbs fall into power lines. If the power goes out, PP&L customers can call a toll-free number 24 hours a day to report the problem. The number is 1-800-DIAL PPL (1-800-342-5775). PP&L's automated AnswerLine system helps customers report problems quickly so the company can get repair crews out as soon as possible.

PP&L encourages all customers who are without power to call PP&L immediately. Customers should not wait or rely on a neighbor to call. Having more information helps PP&L crews more accurately locate the source of problems.

If the power goes out this winter, follow these safety tips:

• Bundle up in layers of clothes and blankets to keep warm.
• Use the fireplace, if you have one. Don't try to heat your home with the flame from a stove.
• Keep a supply of fresh batteries on hand for flashlights and radios.
• Listen to the radio for reports and announcements from PP&L.
• If the power will be out for several hours, make arrangements to go to a hotel or to the home of a friend or relative who has power.
• Stay away from any wires on the ground, even if they appear to be "dead." Call PP&L immediately to report the downed wire.

PP&L offers several services to help customers with their winter energy bills. The Budget Billing Program evens payments over a 12-month period. Operation HELP, administered by a network of local social service agencies, offers assistance to customers who have a hard time paying their energy bills. The Winter Relief Assistance Program provides free home weatherization improvements to low-income and fixed-income customers with electric heat or electric water heating.

To find out more about these, and other, PP&L services, call toll-free at 1-800-DIAL PPL (1-800-342-5775).

PP&L, a subsidiary of PP&L Resources, Inc., provides electric service to 1.2 million customers in 29 counties of central and eastern Pennsylvania. For recent news releases and other information about PP&L Resources, see our Internet home page: http://www.papl.com.