Summer of Savings: Duke Energy offers ways to lower your energy use

Rhea-AI Summary

As South Carolina faces warmer-than-average temperatures this summer, Duke Energy is offering various programs and tools to help customers manage and reduce their energy use. Customers can take advantage of Usage Alerts to better predict electricity costs, use the website or app to monitor energy usage, and participate in savings programs such as Power Manager, Flex Savings Option, and Smart $aver. Additionally, Duke Energy provides a Home Energy House Call for free home energy assessments and a Weatherization Program for income-qualified customers. Payment assistance is also available through installment plans and partnerships with local and state agencies. Low- to no-cost tips for reducing energy use include inspecting HVAC systems, sealing air leaks, using smart thermostats, and operating ceiling fans counterclockwise during summer.

Positive

• Introduction of various programs and tools to help customers manage and reduce their energy use, potentially lowering their bills.
• Availability of payment assistance through installment plans and connections with local and state resources.
• Free home energy assessments valued at $180 through the Home Energy House Call program.
• Income-qualified Weatherization Program offers significant savings through energy conservation measures.
• Potential energy bill savings of 10%-30% with proper HVAC maintenance and ENERGY STAR® certified equipment.

Negative

• Customers may see increased electricity rates if they do not shift their energy use to times of lower demand under the Flex Savings Option program.

• Company shares programs, tips, tools and available assistance to help save money and manage your bill

GREENVILLE, S.C., July 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Warmer-than-average temperatures could hit South Carolina 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.

"Once thing is certain as we prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July in the Palmetto State – it's hot. And that means increased energy use as customers rely on air conditioning to stay cool," said Mike Callahan, Duke Energy's South 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 and Bring Your Own Thermostat are the same thing as 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.
• Smart $aver®: Some customers 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 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
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

FAQ

What programs does Duke Energy offer to help reduce energy use in South Carolina?

Duke Energy offers programs like Power Manager, Flex Savings Option, Smart $aver, and a Home Energy House Call to help reduce energy use.

How can I track my energy usage with Duke Energy?

You can track your energy usage down to the hour, day, or week using Duke Energy's website or app by signing into your online account.

What is the Flex Savings Option program by Duke Energy?

The Flex Savings Option program allows customers to pay lower rates by shifting their energy use to times of lower demand, but rates will increase during high demand periods.

How can I benefit from the Smart $aver program?

Customers can receive up to $1,500 in home rebates through the Smart $aver home improvement rebate program.

What payment assistance options does Duke Energy provide?

Duke Energy offers installment payment plans and works with local and state agencies to connect customers with resources like the Share the Light Fund and Low Income Home Energy Assistance programs.

What are some low-cost tips for reducing energy use during summer?

Tips include inspecting HVAC systems, sealing air leaks, using smart thermostats, operating ceiling fans counterclockwise, closing curtains during sunny days, and using cooler water for washing clothes.