PPL Electric Utilities customers set a record for electricity use Tuesday, based on preliminary figures.

Between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., customers used an estimated 7,507 megawatt-hours of electricity, breaking the previous summer record of 7,258 megawatt-hours set in July and the previous all-time record of 7,274 megawatt-hours set Dec. 20, 2004. 

“Our customers count on the electricity we provide to stay cool and to cope with the heat,” said Robert M. Geneczko, vice president of customer service for PPL Electric Utilities. “The improvements we make and the routine maintenance we do throughout the year keep power flowing reliably in times like these.”

Geneczko said monthly electricity use by the average residential customer of PPL Electric Utilities has risen by more than 12 percent in the past decade. He said usage has climbed as families have added more computers, televisions, home-entertainment systems, kitchen appliances, air conditioners and other modern conveniences.

“As customers’ lifestyles have changed and electricity usage has increased, we’ve improved our capabilities to keep pace with rising demand so that our customers don’t miss a beat,” Geneczko said.

PJM Interconnection, which coordinates electric generation and the high-voltage electric power system in 13 states and the District of Columbia, has reported that it has sufficient electric generation and reserves to meet the high demand currently experienced in the region.

High temperatures and demand are expected to continue tomorrow. Geneczko said customers should stay safe and put their health first when making decisions about their energy use. He said customers who want to conserve electricity during the extreme heat can:

• Turn off televisions, computers and other appliances when not in use.
• Postpone activities that require hot water until late evening or early morning hours.
• Close curtains, blinds or shutters to keep out the daytime sun.
• Turn on ceiling fans and raise the thermostat a few degrees, health permitting.
  

Official usage numbers will not be available for several days and could result in slightly higher or lower numbers for Tuesday (8/1). Official numbers for July 17 and July 18, for example, were lower than the preliminary figures for those days. The preliminary results had indicated that PPL Electric Utilities customers had broken the December 2004 all-time record. Official results, however, showed that hourly usage peaked at 7,258 megawatt-hours both days, just under the all-time record.

PPL Electric Utilities Corporation, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation that provides electricity delivery services to about 1.4 million customers in Pennsylvania, has consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) controls about 11,500 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to more than 5 million customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America. More information is available at www.pplweb.com.