Atlantic City Electric Alerts Customers to Higher Winter Bills

MAYS LANDING, N.J . - An unusually cold winter has spurred higher energy bills for Atlantic City Electric customers, according to company officials who cited a 2.4 percent increase from this same time last year in electricity use by residential customers to heat their homes.

"It's been a challenging winter as evidenced in customer bills where more energy is being used to heat homes and businesses," said Robert Revelle, Vice President, Atlantic City Electric Region. "Unfortunately, the cold weather could also pose a financial hardship for some who can't afford higher energy bills due to increased use of electric heat."

"Extreme cold makes heating equipment work harder to keep homes and businesses warm. When the equipment consumes more energy, it increases the monthly bill," Revelle said.

He added that many of the company's residential customers have electric heat pumps, which are most efficient when the outside temperature is above 35 degrees. "However, we've had many days when the temperature has been below 35 degrees. On those days, heat pumps become less efficient."

Revelle said the company regularly encourages customers to reduce their energy use to save on their monthly bills. It does this through many communication channels, such as the company website, social media, news releases, customer newsletters, bill messages and bill inserts.

"We know many customers are interested in conserving energy, but there are times when conservation still equates to higher usage due to unusual temperatures," he said.

He added that customers who struggle to pay their electricity bills should contact the company's Customer Care center at 1-800-642-3780 for information on financial assistance or to arrange a flexible payment plan.

In addition, Atlantic City Electric suggests the following ways for customers to save on their winter bills:

• Register to use My Account, a web-based, interactive tool that is free and easy to use, at www.atlanticcityelectric.com. My Account provides customers with a detailed analysis of their specific energy use and offers ways they can reduce their use to save on their monthly bills.
• Set your heater's thermostat between 60-68 degrees, if your health permits. Remember for every degree you lower the thermostat, you can save as much as three percent on the energy bill.
• Have the furnace checked by a licensed technician to ensure it is in good working condition.
• Open window shades, blinds, or drapes to invite natural heat during the day.
• Check that all windows and doors are tightly closed to keep cool air out and warm air in.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Use dishwashers only when fully loaded.

Atlantic City Electric encourages customers to visit www.atlanticcityelectric.com for additional information on saving energy and money in their homes or businesses. The company also offers its customers Budget Billing, a fixed payment plan based on the customer's 12-month average bill, in which they can enroll either online or by contacting Atlantic City Electric Customer Care at 1-800-642-3780.

Editor's Note: Follow @ACElecConnect on Twitter for company news alerts and safety and energy-saving tips.

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Atlantic City Electric, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe, reliable and affordable regulated electric delivery services to more than 547,000 customers in southern New Jersey.