- Company provides programs, tips, tools, assistance to help
save money
ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla., June 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Don't let summer catch you by
surprise. Duke Energy is offering ways customers can take control
of their energy use to help save this summer.
The month of May was the hottest May on record for many
locations across central and north Florida.
From no- to low-cost tools, programs and assistance, customers
have a menu of options to help cut costs for
customers.
"Duke Energy serves diverse communities, that's why we focus on
providing a wide range of programs to help customers manage energy
use and save money," said Melissa
Seixas, Duke Energy Florida president. "It's important we
meet customers where they are. We're here to help, when customers
need us most."
Take advantage of Usage Alerts
Customers can better predict what they will 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,
customers are automatically enrolled to receive a Usage Alert
notification that shows how much electricity is being used and how
much it may cost, while providing enough time to
adjust.
Use our website or the Duke Energy app tracks 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:
- EnergyWise® Home is an easy way you can help reduce
energy use during periods of high demand. Plus, you'll save on your
electric bill by getting up to $141
in annual bill credits. By enrolling in EnergyWise® Home, you'll
help preserve natural resources, delay the need for more power
plants and keep energy costs lower for everyone.
- Time-of-Use: Customers who enroll in the
Time-of-Use 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.
- Home Energy Check can help customers
find ways to reduce their home's energy use, lower their bill
and see if they qualify for rebates and free energy-saving
products. The Home Energy Check program provides a custom
report with a home's past and current energy usage, a free energy
efficiency kit and expert recommendations for home improvements
that will save energy and add value to your home.
- 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.
Payment assistance
Other customers may be eligible for further assistance.
Installment Payment Plans can help people 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 AC 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.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300
megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million
residential, commercial and industrial customers across a
13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
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.
Media contact: Ana Gibbs
Media line: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy