LG&E, KU offer tips to help customers weather extreme cold, save energy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —  As temperatures remain low across the Commonwealth, customer energy usage continues to rise. Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company encourage customers to take simple energy efficiency steps to help reduce energy demand during periods of extreme cold.

• Set furnaces to the lowest comfortable setting during the day. Lowering your thermostat setting by one degree can save you 4 to 7 percent on the heating portion of your energy bill.
• Clean or replace furnace filters as needed. Follow manufacturers' instructions.
• Clean registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed. Be sure to move furniture, carpeting or drapes so they are not blocking the registers, heaters or radiators.
• Turn off all unnecessary appliances. Avoid running dishwashers, dryers and washing machines during the morning hours when energy consumption tends to be highest.
• Open drapes, blinds and curtains during the day to allow the sunlight to enter and warm your home. Close them at night to prevent the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• Keep fireplace doors and dampers closed when the fireplace is not in use.
• Add blankets to your bed.
• Use draft stoppers at doors and windows.
• As heat rises, air at the floor level is cooler than air at the ceiling. Wear socks and/or shoes in your home during the winter to help you feel warmer.

"Although our system is in good shape to meet the increased energy demand, we know that customers want information on how to better control their energy usage during this sustained cold period," said Chip Keeling, Vice President of Communications for LG&E and KU Energy. "By following just a few simple steps and adjusting behaviors, customers can help curb energy consumption while maintaining comfort."

Visit www.lge-ku.com/ee for additional tips and information concerning energy efficiency programs. 

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 397,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 543,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.