Last winter, many PPL Electric Utilities customers on variable rate plans for their generation supply faced high bills resulting from a combination of high usage during the prolonged cold weather and volatile market prices.

Fall is a traditionally a time to prepare for the long, cold months ahead. Before the cold of winter and heating bills hit, there's no better time to take steps to keep your electric bill low.

PPL Electric Utilities suggests a three-step plan to help customers avoid paying more than they have to for electricity:

Use energy wisely: PPL Electric Utilities has many tips on its website at www.pplelectric.com. They include turning the thermostat down, if you can. Heating accounts for more than 30 percent of an average home's energy bill. Turning the thermostat down about one degree saves about 2 percent on your heating bill; turning it down five degrees saves about 10 percent. Also, seal your house against drafts, and have your ductwork checked for air leaks.

Shop for electricity: Shopping for everything from groceries to gasoline is part of almost every family's routine. So why not shop for electricity, too? The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has a website that makes shopping easy: www.PAPowerSwitch.com.

Shop smart: Customers have two choices when they shop for electricity, fixed rate and variable rate. If you have a variable rate, it means the price you pay per kilowatt hour can change anytime, based on factors like weather and market conditions. A fixed rate plan offers pricing stability for a defined period of time. There are many fixed rate offers below PPL Electric Utilities' price to compare - the rate PPL Electric Utilities charges customers who don't shop.

Even if you're already on a fixed rate plan, it's a good idea to check the terms and expiration date of your supply agreement. Sometimes fixed rate plans automatically shift to variable rate plans when they expire.

As with any purchase you make, it's always good to double-check what you're buying, and know the terms of your energy contract and the price you'll pay this winter.

No matter where you buy your electricity, it will still be delivered safely and reliably by PPL Electric Utilities.