PECO Bills are high. Here’s how to cut your energy bills & save money this winter

Whether you rent or own your home, learn why you’re seeing higher bills, how to cut down & Philadelphia payment assistance programs.

No one needs a reminder that it’s really cold in Philadelphia. With cars still snowed (and iced-over) into their spots and frozen pipes causing water main breaks, nothing is a bigger reminder of the frigid temperatures than high energy bills.

And since Punxsutawney Phil deemed we have at least six more weeks of winter, many of you may be wondering how to cut your energy bills and save money. Green Philly has some resources and tips for you.

Why are my PECO Bills so high?

Wondering why those bills may be high? First, it’s been very cold. During extremely cold temperatures, your heating systems run longer and work harder, which is one reason why your energy use increases. 

Additionally, PJM, the provider that manages our region’s electricity grid, increased costs due to delays in renewable energy projects, rising electricity demands for EVs and electrification, and growth in data centers. Those increased costs are passed on to customers.

Extreme weather, aging infrastructure, and limited rate options all contribute to higher electric rates, too.

Ways to cut down on your bill

Shocked by your energy bill? Here are things you can do to lower the dollar amount you see each month:

Seal areas where air is leaking out. To find cold spots, hold your hand up alongside windows and doors and see if you can feel cold air coming in. If the answer is yes, add weatherstripping, door runners, or caulk to seal the gaps.

Invest in energy-efficient lightbulbs. The US Department of Energy says that LED bulbs are today’s “most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technology.” They use about 75% less energy and last, according to the DOE, up to 25 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. You can also plug your devices into power strips and smart plugs, which allows you to easily turn off appliances or electronics completely when they’re not in use, without having to go through and unplug everything in your house. This way, those devices are not consuming energy while not in use.

Safely keep your thermostat at 68°F to 70°F during the day to likely see some energy savings. Those savings will increase if you can drop that thermostat down at night or while you’re out of town to about 64°F or 65°F (this is considered a safe temperature if you’re leaving pets or beloved houseplants behind). Keeping it consistently 62°F or above will help prevent freezing pipes, but small drops in the temperature at night or while you’re out of the house will add up in savings. If these settings make you shiver, invest in some layers: Warm socks, lots of blankets, sweats, and some slippers will help make up the difference in temperature.

Other small ways to save money:

• Closing your blinds and curtains will help keep heat in at night. The DOE says that about 30% of a home’s heat source is lost through windows. During the day if it is sunny out, open them up to let the sun heat the room.
• If you have ceiling fans, you can set them to go in reverse, which pushes warm air down. Watch your hot water usage. That might mean using cold water in your washing machine or taking shorter showers. You can also skip the dry cycle on your dishwasher and let things air dry, or towel them off yourself.
• If you grew up in a “turn off the light when you leave a room” household, now is your time to shine!
• Turning off lights, televisions, radios, and computers is a good way to cut down on your electric bill. Gaming consoles consume a lot of energy when in standby mode, so you should consider unplugging instead of just turning off.
• Unplug the vampires – aka devices that consume energy when they’re plugged in but not being used.

If all this is overwhelming, don’t worry.

PECO also offers an Energy Assessment, where they send a certified PECO Energy Adviser to your house and help you figure out what changes you can make to save a few bucks. It might be as simple as switching out some lightbulbs, or maybe there’s a window that needs weatherstripping because it’s letting more heat out than it is keeping the warmth in. It’s $50 (though free for certain individuals based on income), and it’ll take one to two hours of your time. If the PECO energy adviser sees things that need fixing (like lightbulbs or power strips), they’ll install them for free, and then at the end of the assessment, you’ll get a personalized report with tips to keep saving money.

Cutting down on your energy bills will help reduce your contribution to greenhouse gases as well. But energy efficiency and sustainability can also extend outside your home. Taking public transit, recycling, and buying secondhand winter clothes are good sustainable practices to follow this winter. When we get more snow, try to use non-toxic de-icing materials when you can, and avoid using gas-powered snow removal tools.

And as always: Look out for your neighbors. Check in on them during the deep freezes and make sure everyone has ways to access necessities (food, water, and medicine) when the temperature drops. Share a meal, a shovel, or a jacket when you can.

Philadelphia Payment Assistance Programs

If you need help paying your bill and are interested in applying for cash or grants, the city offers programs to offset your PECO and PGW bills.

1. PECO Customer Relief Fund (CRF):

This $10 million fund provides eligible customers with grants to cover the costs of their heating and cooling bills. Eligible customers can get a grant of $750, which will appear on their bill as credits. There are a few requirements: You must be a current PECO customer, cannot have previously received a grant from this program, and your household income must fall between 151% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. That means for a household of two people, the minimum household income is $31,937 and the maximum is $63,450.

The program started on August 4, 2025, and will continue until the funds run out. You apply online, and can learn more here.

2. Customer Assistance Program – Percentage of Income Payment Plan (CAP-PIPP):

 This program lets customers have a fixed monthly bill based on a percentage of their income. If your income changes, that bill amount might change, and there is a maximum credit allotted per household. There is a minimum monthly bill no matter what ($10 for electric, $20 for electric heating, and $20 for gas). Each month, PECO will charge the customer enrolled in CAP whatever is less: the percentage/minimum or the actual usage.

Learn more and see the requirements here.

3. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP):

You have until Friday, April 10, 2026, to apply for this federal program, which provides heating assistance in the form of cash or grant for anyone who needs help paying their bill or is facing a heating crisis. To be eligible, your household must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines. You must also show that your current heating bills put a financial burden on your household. If you qualify, you get a one-time payment credited to your bill or sent to your fuel provider.

You can apply online, on paper, in person, or over the phone. If you’re curious about eligibility or want to learn more, click here.

4. CARES: Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services:

If you are facing a temporary personal or financial hardship and cannot pay your utility bill (including gas or electric), the CARES program might be right for you. It is meant for customers who are suffering a medical issue or job loss. To figure out if you’re eligible, you can call 1-800-774-7040.

5. PGW’s Customer Responsibility Program (CRP):

Meant to help low-income customers afford their gas bills, CRP will help those eligible pay less and ensure their gas is not turned off. To apply, customers might submit proof of total household income over the past 30 days and show social security cards and birthdays.

Cover photo: Lauren Belcher