Potomac Edison Provides Maryland Customers Programs and Tools to Manage Electric Bills

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring is in full swing, a welcome change after this winter's sub-zero temperatures. As spring turns to summer, energy use and costs can often increase as cooling systems work harder to keep homes comfortable. Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE), is sharing tips and tools to help customers manage their energy use and budget during periods of high demand and all year long.  

Jim Myers, FirstEnergy President, West Virginia and Maryland: "We know that managing costs is important to our customers, and we're committed to arming them with the information and tools to help them take control of their energy budget. After a frigid winter that drove up electricity costs for many, we want to be sure customers are aware of the many options available to manage monthly electric bills and how to use energy wisely with the hot summer months around the corner."

Programs and Tools to Manage Electric Bills

There are a variety of programs and tools that can help customers manage their energy budget or better use electricity throughout the home, including:

• Budget Billing: A budget billing plan can help customers better anticipate monthly energy costs and provide greater control over their energy budget. Known as the Average Payment Plan (APP), budget billing spreads out annual costs across all 12 months to help even out seasonal highs and lows and make monthly bills more manageable during colder or hotter months when energy usage is higher.
  
  
  
  Customers can log into their online account at firstenergycorp.com/login to see if they are eligible for a budget plan and calculate their anticipated monthly amount. If not registered for MyAccount, customers can do so at firstenergycorp.com/login to access all the benefits and tools available.
  
  
  
  
• Analyze Usage Tool: While signed into MyAccount, customers can access the free Analyze Usage tool to receive customized insights to help save energy and money. By answering a few simple questions about their household energy use, customers can get personalized tips to reduce energy consumption. They can also track their usage to better understand how and when they use energy the most.
  
  
  
  
• Bill Assistance Programs and Payment Plans: There are many reasons customers may need help with home energy costs. For customers who are having trouble paying their electric bills, there are a variety of programs that can help them get back on track. Customers can visit firstenergycorp.com/billassist to learn about available assistance programs and see if they qualify for a payment arrangement. Customers may also be eligible to enroll in an installment plan or request a "promise to pay" extension on their due date directly in their online account.

Tips for Managing Energy Usage

There are simple steps customers can take to help improve energy efficiency throughout their home and save on their monthly bill. Customers can use energy wisely all year long with the following energy-savings tips:

• Weatherstrip doors and windows to prevent temperature-controlled air from escaping their home and to help eliminate strain on cooling and heating systems.
• Ensure HVAC systems are well-maintained. Clean filters, vents and coils to ensure optimal efficiency and extend the life of the equipment.
• Change furnace filters at least every three months or more often during periods of high use. Dirty and clogged filters make HVAC systems work harder, using more energy.
• When possible, place thermostats on an inside wall and away from windows and doors. Cold drafts or excess heat can cause thermostats to keep the system running unnecessarily.
• Turn off all lights when they are not in use and use a timer for outdoor lighting.
• Keep registers for supply or return air free of obstructions like curtains or furniture.
• Close fireplace dampers when not in use to keep temperature-controlled air from escaping.

Customers can visit firstenergycorp.com/saveenergy for more energy-saving tips. Potomac Edison also offers a variety of energy efficiency programs, like the Quick Home Energy Checkup and appliance recycling, that can help customers save energy and money.

For more information and additional online tools that can help customers manage their electric accounts, visit firstenergycorp.com/help.

Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 155,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at potomacedison.com, on X @PotomacEdison and on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison.  

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.