- Company shares programs, tips, tools and available
assistance to help customers save money and manage energy
use
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Warmer-than-average temperatures may hit this
summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration seasonal temperature outlook. But before summer
temperatures soar, Duke Energy is offering ways customers can take
control of their energy use.
"Hotter days mean increased energy use as customers rely on air
conditioning to stay cool," said Kendal
Bowman, Duke Energy's North
Carolina president. "As summer arrives, we are proactively
sharing programs, tips, tools and assistance to help our customers
manage their energy use."
Take advantage of Usage Alerts to help save
Better
predict what you'll spend on electricity by reviewing the Usage
Alerts that arrive midway through a billing cycle. By having a
smart meter and an email address on file, you'll automatically be
enrolled to receive a Usage Alert notification that shows how much
electricity you're using and how much it may cost in time to
adjust.
Use our website or the Duke Energy app to track your energy
usage down to the hour, day or week. The goal is to see when energy
use is spiking and adjust habits that may be driving it up. Simply
sign in to your online account or create one here.
Savings programs and incentives
Duke Energy offers a
variety of programs and incentives to help customers navigate
seasonal energy use. Learn more about available options below, and
b-roll is available here:
- Power Manager®: Get rewarded by helping shift energy use
away from peak periods. By enrolling one or more of your home's
appliances in Power Manager, you'll be supporting clean energy
goals. Plus, receive bill credits for making a difference in your
community. Find out if you qualify. (Please note: The name of this
program may differ depending on where you live. EnergyWise® Home is
available in the Duke Energy Progress service area and is the
equivalent offering to Power Manager.)
- Flex Savings Option: Customers who enroll in the Flex
Savings Option can pay lower rates (as compared to the standard
residential rate) by shifting their energy use to times of lower
demand. Alternatively, rates will increase when customer demand is
high and more people are using electricity.
- High Energy Usage pilot: Income-qualified residential
customers who use a lot of energy may be eligible for the High
Energy Usage pilot program that offers free energy improvements
that can help lower energy use. Upgrades can include air sealing,
HVAC, refrigerator or water heater replacement, free lightbulbs and
more. Find out if you qualify.
- Improve & Save: Some customers may be able to pay
for energy efficiency upgrades through their Duke Energy bill via
our new Improve & Save program, while others can take advantage
of about $1,500 in home rebates
through the Smart $aver® home improvement rebate program.
- Home Energy House Call: Consider a free home energy
assessment, which can help lower your energy use. Valued at
$180, this service helps you learn
how your home uses energy and how you can save. An energy
specialist will check your home for air leaks, examine your
insulation levels, check your appliances and more. Sign up online
or call 844.346.4366.
- Weatherization Program: Some customers can take
advantage of our income-qualified Weatherization Program for
single-family and multifamily units to help save money and reduce
expenses through the installation of energy conservation measures
in their home. The program is open to owners and renters with owner
approval, and eligibility is determined by the weatherization
office and an in-home assessment.
Programs and incentives vary depending on which Duke
Energy-served community you live in. See what savings programs you
may be eligible for.
Payment assistance
Other customers may be eligible for
further assistance. Installment Payment Plans can help
customers who need flexibility with paying their energy bills. Duke
Energy also works with local and state agencies to connect
qualified customers with access to resources, including Share the
Light Fund® and Low Income Home Energy
Assistance programs.
Visit our Special Assistance page for more information.
Low- to no-cost energy-saving tips and projects
Summer
weather can contribute to higher energy use as your HVAC system
works harder to keep you comfortable. The greater the temperature
difference between the outside and the inside, the harder your air
conditioning unit must work.
Below are tips to help manage your energy use when temperatures
rise. B-roll of energy efficiency measures is
available here.
- Inspect and service your HVAC. Have your HVAC system checked by
a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor to make sure it
is operating efficiently. ENERGY STAR® certified heating and
cooling equipment, when properly installed, can yield annual energy
bill savings of 10%-30%.
- Make sure cool air isn't escaping by checking windows, doors
and vents for air leaks. Caulk, seal and use weatherstripping to
block leaks, which can help save 10% to 20% in cooling costs.
- Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a
cooling system work harder, which uses more energy. Replacing a
dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air
conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
- Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting or
install a smart thermostat. You can save as much as 10% a year on
heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10
degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day from its normal setting.
Keep in mind: Your system will run longer the hotter it is outside
– even if your thermostat setting never changes. And, run
heat-producing appliances during cooler morning hours for
additional savings.
- Operate ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction in the
summer, which pushes cooler air back down into the room. If you use
air conditioning to cool your home, a ceiling fan will allow you to
raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees, typically with no
reduction in comfort.
- Close curtains and blinds during warm, sunny days to help
prevent the sun from heating your home.
- There are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used for
washing clothes – use less water and use cooler water. Switching
your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load's energy
use in half.
For more information visit duke-energy.com/SummerSavings or see
this story on illumination.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150
company headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies.
The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the
Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook,
and visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy