With the national inflation rate reaching 8.3%, everything is getting more expensive. Most discussions of rising costs have been centered on the price at the gas pump. However, on June 1st, the largest price increase for many Pennsylvanians may be their electric bill.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PAPUC) reports that electric generation prices are increasing anywhere from 6% to 45%. This means the hourly rate you pay per kilowatt of power use is going up (i.e. the more power you use, the more you pay).
Beginning June 1st, the following electric distribution companies announced their increases for residential customers:
Citizens’ Electric — (26.6%) 7.3995 cents to 9.3667 cents per kWh
Met-Ed — (16.1%) 6.832 cents to 7.936 cents per kWh
Penelec — (35.4%) 6.232 cents to 8.443 cents per kWh
Penn Power — (22.7%) 7.082 cents to 8.694 cents per kWh
PPL — (38.3%) 8.941 cents to 12.366 cents per kWh
West Penn Power — (44.6%) 5.667 cents to 8.198 cents per kWh
Note: Energy price changes for several utilities, including Duquesne Light, PECO, and Pike County Light & Power, are still being calculated but are expected to rise. Their final prices will be available later this month.
Energy costs have been on the rise for years now. We don’t know exactly what electricity will cost in 10, 15, or 25 years. But we do know it will be more than it is now. With the monopolization most utility companies have over their service areas, prices will continue to rise.
So what can be done to combat this growing expense? Being energy conscious and reducing your energy use is one way to cut costs. For some Pennsylvanians, however, that’s not the easiest thing to do – especially when facing seasonal weather.
A more reliable option is solar power. A solar energy system reduces the amount of electricity you buy from your utility company. It may even eliminate your utility bill entirely. And if you generate additional power beyond your use, you can flip the script and the utility company will buy energy from you!
With a 25-year manufacturer warranty on a Sun Directed solar energy system, you will be able to keep your energy costs stable and avoid future utility increases for decades to come. Not to mention that adding solar power to your home increases your property value, and a tax credit can reduce the cost of installation by 26%. In fact, unlike many home improvements, on average, solar typically pays for itself within 10-15 years. And while energy prices are rising, the cost of going solar is getting lower. There really hasn’t been a better time to realize energy independence!
Going solar isn’t only better for the environment, it puts money back into the pockets of Pennsylvanians helping our community prosper. In the end, reducing environmental impact and building a stronger community is what it’s all about for us.
Komentar