Duke Energy prepares for sustained freezing temperatures in the Carolinas; offers ways customers can save energy and money
Rhea-AI Summary
Duke Energy (DUK) is preparing for sustained freezing temperatures across the Carolinas, with temperatures expected to drop to single digits in some areas. The company has shared several energy-saving tips to help customers manage costs during this cold spell.
Key recommendations include: reducing thermostat settings to the lowest comfortable level, maintaining heating systems, utilizing natural sunlight through windows during the day, operating ceiling fans clockwise, sealing air leaks, using LED bulbs, and setting water heaters to 120 degrees or less. These measures could save 10-20% in heating costs.
The company has also highlighted its smart meter features and usage alerts system, which allows customers to monitor their energy consumption and receive notifications about potential cost impacts. Duke Energy serves 8.4 million electric customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers across multiple states, with a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions goals by 2030 for natural gas and 2050 for electricity generation.
Positive
- Proactive customer communication about energy savings during extreme weather
- Large customer base of 8.4M electric and 1.7M natural gas customers
- Implementation of smart meter technology for usage monitoring
- Clear commitment to net-zero emissions targets
Negative
- Potential strain on grid infrastructure during extreme weather conditions
- Higher operational costs during severe weather events
Insights
The timing of Duke Energy's energy-saving campaign aligns strategically with the polar vortex forecast, addressing both operational and consumer-centric concerns. Their suggested measures, particularly the thermostat management and HVAC maintenance recommendations, could yield 10-20% savings in heating costs - a material impact considering the scale of their 8.4 million customer base.
The company's emphasis on digital tools and smart meter integration represents a sophisticated approach to demand-side management. The usage alert system functions as a proactive cost control mechanism, enabling real-time consumption adjustments. This technology-driven strategy serves dual purposes: helping customers manage costs while potentially reducing peak load demands during extreme weather events, which is important for grid stability.
For retail investors, this proactive customer engagement approach demonstrates strong operational resilience and customer relationship management, particularly important given the challenging regulatory environment utilities face regarding rate increases. The focus on efficiency and digital tools suggests lower customer service costs and reduced risk of regulatory pushback on future rate cases.
The operational readiness for extreme weather events is particularly noteworthy given Duke's extensive infrastructure footprint across six states. The company's proactive communication strategy indicates robust emergency preparedness protocols, essential for maintaining service reliability during peak demand periods.
The integration of smart meter technology with customer communication tools represents a significant operational advantage. This infrastructure modernization effort aligns with Duke's broader $54,800 MW capacity management strategy and their net-zero transition goals. The ability to monitor and manage demand in real-time through these digital tools provides important grid stability benefits during extreme weather events.
From an infrastructure investment perspective, this preparation demonstrates Duke's commitment to grid resilience, a critical factor for stable earnings in an increasingly volatile climate environment. The focus on customer-facing digital tools also suggests ongoing operational cost optimization, supporting their ability to maintain stable returns while managing the capital-intensive clean energy transition.
- Polar Vortex expected to bring several days of below freezing temperatures
- Company also shares reminders on ways to save energy and money as temperatures drop this week; b-roll of energy-saving tips available here
Ways to save energy and money as temperatures drop
Duke Energy is here to help our customers take control of their energy use and save money through no-cost, low-cost energy efficiency tips.
Low- to no-cost energy-saving tips
- Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. The closer you match your thermostat to outdoor temperatures, the more you can save.
- Change your air filter and schedule regular maintenance for your heating systems. Maintaining your heating systems can help increase efficiency.
- Leave drapes or blinds open on the sunny side of the home to allow the sun's rays to warm the house, but close them at night to help insulate your home.
- Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction in the winter to push warm air back down into the room.
- Seal cracks in windows, doors and vents with caulking and weatherstripping to save
10% to20% in heating costs. - Replace standard bulbs with LEDs. LEDs are more efficient than regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less. Water heating is typically the second-biggest user of energy in your home.
Get personalized energy usage alerts
Let usage alerts take the stress out of managing energy use. Get notified when you reach your personalized limit, so you're able to make changes and find ways to save before the bill arrives.
The Duke Energy app can also provide daily and hourly usage information, so you can see your unique patterns.
By having a smart meter and an email address on file, customers are automatically enrolled to receive usage alerts that show how much electricity they are using and how much it may cost in time to adjust. Sign in to your online account or create one here.
Get more tips, learn about incentives and sign up for usage alerts and other tools to save money at duke-energy.com/WinterEnergySavings.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
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 X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-prepares-for-sustained-freezing-temperatures-in-the-carolinas-offers-ways-customers-can-save-energy-and-money-302355590.html
SOURCE Duke Energy
FAQ
What energy-saving tips has Duke Energy (DUK) recommended for the 2025 cold wave?
How much can customers save on heating costs with Duke Energy's (DUK) recommended measures?
What smart meter features does Duke Energy (DUK) offer for customer monitoring?
What are Duke Energy's (DUK) emission reduction targets?
