Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. has free services to help low-income and fixed-income customers keep their homes warmer and reduce their energy bills.
PP&L's Winter Relief Assistance Program (WRAP) and Keep Warm Program provide energy-saving home improvements and energy education services at no cost to people who meet the programs' income requirements.
"WRAP and Keep Warm are companion efforts that meet an important community need," explained Tushanna Hamilton, PP&L customer relations representative for the Susquehanna region. "We are helping people stay warmer in winter and manage their budget by lowering energy costs."
Among the energy-saving home improvements customers may receive are attic insulation, caulking, weatherstripping, and water heater and water pipe insulation.
Bonnie Bingaman of New Berlin has seen a big difference in home electricity bills and comfort level since WRAP improvements were made in her home.
"The services I received through WRAP have lowered the cost of my bills. That's a big plus," she said. "To anyone who is thinking of asking about WRAP, I'd say do it."
WRAP has helped more than 32,000 PP&L customers since it began in 1985 as the state's first utility-run energy assistance program, Hamilton said. WRAP is the model for a number of similar utility and community outreach programs nationwide.
"In winter, high energy costs force some low-income and fixed-income customers to decide whether to heat or eat. WRAP and Keep Warm help people avoid that dilemma. They can be comfortable and spend less money," she noted.
The programs also benefit PP&L because customers are less likely to fall behind in their electricity bill payments if the cost is affordable."
PP&L uses local community agencies and organizations to carry out the home improvement work. These individuals are highly skilled professionals. In addition, trained energy educators show customers ways to stay warmer and save money. Customers with electric heat receive a personal energy-savings plan.
Weatherization services are available to PP&L customers at least 18 years old who meet income requirements and own or rent a house or apartment that has an individual electric meter.
WRAP and Keep Warm apply to primary residences only, not to second homes or vacation homes. The house or apartment must have electric heat to qualify for weatherization services or an electric water heater to qualify for water heating conservation measures.
PP&L customers may find out if they qualify for WRAP or Keep Warm by calling toll-free 1-800-342-5775 (1-800 DIAL PPL).
Income requirements for PP&L's WRAP and Keep Warm programs are as follows:
Family Size |
WRAP Income Limit |
Keep Warm Income Limit |
1 |
$968/month |
$1,290/month |
2 |
$1,295/month |
$1,727/month |
3 |
$1,623/month |
$2,163/month |
4 |
$1,950/month |
$2,600/month |
5 |
$2,278/month |
$3,037/month |
6 |
$2,605/month |
$3,473/month |