Duke Energy offers Energy-Saving Tips and Efficiency Programs to Help Manage the Cost of Staying Cool This Summer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - With temperatures forecasted to top the century mark this week, Duke Energy is well prepared to meet customers’ demand for electricity. It’s also an ideal time to take some simple steps to stay cool and save money.
- (1888PressRelease) June 29, 2012 - Energy-Saving Information
Keep your doors closed – According to Energy Star®, minimizing door traffic and sealing leaks around windows and doors with caulking or weather stripping can help save up to 10 percent on annual energy bills.
Close your curtains or blinds during the day – The U.S. Department of Energy found that this quick and easy step can help reduce heat gain inside your home by 45 percent, which means your home stays cooler so your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard.
Bump up the thermostat– Adjusting your thermostat up a degree or two can keep you comfortable while reducing your energy consumption.
Use your microwave instead of the oven¬ – Not only will it cut down on excessive heat in the kitchen, a microwave uses 70 percent less energy than a regular electric oven.
For more energy-saving tips and information -- including a thermostat calculator that demonstrates possible savings – visit http://www.duke-energy.com/. Click the “residential” tab and select your state. Tips and tools are available in the “Save Energy & Money” section.
State-Specific Energy Efficiency Programs
CFLs - Carolinas / Ohio
Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs in your six most-used lamps / fixtures can save up to $30 over the lifetime of each bulb. Duke Energy customers who haven’t yet received their free CFLs should visiting www.duke-energy.com/freecfls or call 800-943-7585; option 1.
My Home Energy Report – Ohio / South Carolina
It’s a well-known fact that neighbors compare energy bills, and this Duke Energy program makes the comparisons easier for qualified customers in Ohio and South Carolina.
The “My Home Energy Report” is a customized, paper-based energy usage report sent via U.S. mail to eligible residential customers in Ohio and South Carolina. The report groups like homes of similar size, age and location (based on publicly available tax records) and compares the customer’s usage to the average home and efficient homes within the group. The comparison does not include any names or personal information, simply data on energy usage. The report does include targeted actionable tips and other recommendations designed to help customers use energy more efficiently and control their energy usage.
Smart $aver Incentives® – All States
Duke Energy offers rebates for tuning up or installing new heating and / or cooling systems and for improving your home’s insulation and air ducts. The rebates range from $200 to $600 depending on the state in which you live and the upgrades you make. Find out what’s available in your state by checking out our Smart$aver® incentives on http://www.duke-energy.com/.
Understanding Your Energy Bill
For answers to billing questions, sign up for Duke Energy’s Online Services at http://www.duke-energy.com/. Once registered, customers have instant access to a variety of useful tools and information, including a 13-month billing history and comparative weather data from the previous year. These records can help illustrate how extreme temperatures fluctuations affect energy usage.
Online Services customers can also take advantage of programs, such as Budget Bill (Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky) and Equal Payment Plan (Carolinas), which help customers manage monthly energy costs by offering predictable monthly payments.
Ohio customers who have digital smart meters can also access their hourly energy usage from their Online Services Account. For more information, a video demonstration – “Smart Meters Give YOU the Power” -- is available on Duke Energy’s YouTube channel -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGJm5JqgnQw&list=PL5D71D5E051E93FFA&index=11&feature=plpp_video)
Special Assistance Programs
Duke Energy’s Third Party Notification Program provides a safety net to help prevent service interruptions for nonpayment. Program participants can designate a relative, friend, neighbor, agency or someone else to receive a copy of their Duke Energy bill each month. The third party is not responsible for paying the bill, but may be able to help arrange for payment – helping avoid disconnection of service.
The summer heat can pose serious health concerns, especially for senior citizens or others with special needs. Duke Energy encourages everyone to check on loved ones and neighbors who may be susceptible to extreme temperatures.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: http://www.duke-energy.com/.
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