As the Carolinas brace for a significant heat wave, Duke Energy Corp has stepped up to remind its customers about effective strategies for managing energy consumption and reducing costs. With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, the utility company aims to empower its customers with practical advice and resources designed to help them navigate the sweltering summer months.

2. Insights from Duke Energy Leadership

Sasha Weintraub, the Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Duke Energy, emphasized the company's commitment to customer support during this challenging period. "We provide personalized usage alerts that give insight into how customers use energy, along with various programs, incentives, tools, and tips to help save energy and money, especially when temperatures spike," he stated. This proactive approach is part of Duke Energy's broader mission to keep costs manageable for its customers while encouraging responsible energy use.

3. Energy-Saving Tips for Customers

Duke Energy has compiled a list of effective tips for customers to help them save both energy and money during the intense heat:

Set Your Thermostat Wisely: Adjusting your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting can lead to significant energy savings. It's crucial to remember that the hotter it gets outside, the more energy your system will consume, even if the thermostat setting remains unchanged.

Wash with Cooler Water: By switching from hot to warm water, customers can reduce energy consumption for laundry loads by nearly 50%.

Optimize Appliance Use: Running heat-producing appliances during the cooler morning hours can yield additional savings.

Utilize Curtains and Blinds: Closing curtains and blinds on the sunlit side of the home can help keep indoor temperatures lower.

Ceiling Fans for Comfort: Operating ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction can push cooler air back down into the room, enhancing comfort without over-relying on air conditioning.

4. Savings Programs and Incentives

Duke Energy offers several programs designed to further assist customers in managing their energy costs:

Free Home Energy Assessment: Customers can sign up for a complimentary energy efficiency kit, which includes a customized usage report, low-cost tips, and expert recommendations aimed at promoting energy savings.

Equipment Upgrade Rebates: The Smart $aver® program offers rebates for upgrading equipment such as HVAC systems, hot water heaters, and pool pumps, along with attic insulation upgrades.

Bill Credits for Energy Shifting: Customers can enroll their smart thermostats in programs like Power Manager® (for Duke Energy Carolinas customers) and EnergyWise® Home (for Duke Energy Progress customers), receiving credits on their bills for shifting energy use to off-peak times.

5. Payment Assistance Options

Duke Energy recognizes that some customers may face financial challenges, especially during peak summer months. To assist, the company provides several payment options:

Installment Payment Plans: These plans allow customers to manage their energy bill payments more flexibly.

Resource Connections: Duke Energy collaborates with local and state agencies to link qualified customers with resources such as the Share the Light Fund® and Low Income Home Energy Assistance programs.

Customers are encouraged to visit the Special Assistance page on the Duke Energy website for more information on available options.

6. Conclusion

Duke Energy continues to play a pivotal role in supporting its customers during the challenging summer months. By providing practical tips, savings programs, and financial assistance options, the company aims to enhance customer experience and reliability in energy services.

For more information on energy-saving tips and programs, customers can visit duke-energy.com/SummerSavings.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) stands as one of America's largest energy holding companies, serving 8.6 million customers across several states, and remains committed to building a smarter energy future through significant investments in grid upgrades and cleaner generation sources.

Original press release