- Financial assistance and energy-saving tools and tips are
available to help customers
ST.
PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- As winter temperatures continue to fluctuate in
Florida, Duke Energy is reminding
customers of resources, tips and tools to help them manage energy
usage and reduce their utility bills.
For December and January, Duke Energy meteorologists reported
peak highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s, with peak lows in the 30s
and mid-40s. And while these temperature swings are typical for
Florida winters, it's important
for customers who turn to both heating and cooling during these
months to follow these easy, low-cost, no-cost tips to save energy
and money:
- Whether using your AC or heat, adjust your thermostat to the
most comfortable setting. The smaller the difference between the
inside and outside temperatures, the lower your energy usage and
bills.
- One of the easiest things customers can do for heating and
cooling efficiency is to change air filters regularly. A dirty air
filter makes a system work harder, which uses more energy and can
increase costs. Also, have systems checked regularly by a qualified
heating and air conditioning contractor to maintain efficiency and
peak performance.
- Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow
the sun's rays to warm the house and close them during hotter days
and at night to help insulate your home.
- One of the best energy-saving habits you can do each year is to
check windows, doors and vents for air leaks. Caulking, sealing and
weatherstripping leaks can save 10% to 20% in heating costs.
- Replace standard bulbs with light-emitting diodes
(LED). LEDs are more efficient than regular bulbs, while
giving off the same amount of light. Replacing just six of your
most frequently used bulbs with LEDs can save up to $480 over the lifetime of the bulbs.
- Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction in the winter,
which pushes warm air back down into the room, and a
counterclockwise direction for the hotter weather. (Most fans have
a switch that allows you to reverse the motor.) While fans move air
and make people more comfortable, remember to turn the fan off when
you leave the room.
- Manage water heating. Set your water heater to 120 degrees or
less. Water heating is typically the second-biggest user of energy
in your home.
Duke Energy also offers programs and tools to help customers
better manage and understand their monthly energy expenses:
Budget Billing: Get predictable monthly bills regardless
of your energy use or the weather, so it's easier to stay on
budget. Plus, there are two convenient payment plans to choose
from. Learn more at duke-energy.com/BudgetBilling.
Installment Plans/Payment Plans: Pay back balances over
longer periods of time. Eligible customers can request flexible
plans that give you more time to pay. Learn about the options at
duke-energy.com/MoreTime.
Usage Alerts: Get more control over your electricity use
and spending. If you have a smart meter, a mobile phone or an
email, you'll automatically be enrolled to receive notifications
midway through your billing period showing how much electricity
you've used along with a projection of your monthly amount, in time
to adjust. Learn more at duke-energy.com/UsageAlerts.
Pick Your Due Date: With Pick Your Due Date, you can
choose the date you want your energy bills to be due each month.
Learn more at duke-energy.com/PYDD.
Due Date Extension: If you know ahead of time that you
will miss your due date, this payment option may be for you. Extend
your payment due date by up to 10 business days to avoid late fees.
Learn more at duke-energy.com/ExtendDueDate.
Flexible rate options: Manage your energy costs by
shifting energy-intensive tasks to periods of low demand. Learn
more about our time-of-use rate at duke-energy.com/TOU.
Free Home Assessment: Complete a free online home
energy check to learn how to lower your bill and see if you qualify
for rebates and free home energy kit. Get started at
onlinehec.duke-energy.com/get-started.
EnergyWise® Home: Save on your electric bill
by getting up to $141 in annual bill
credits while helping your community reduce energy use during
periods of high demand. Find out if you are eligible at
duke-energy.com/EWHSavings.
Weatherization: This program is designed to help
income-qualified customers save energy and reduce expenses through
the installation of energy conservation measures in their homes.
The program is available to single-family homes and multifamily
units, both owners and renters with owner approval. Learn more at
duke-energy.com/Weatherization.
Customer Assistance: Some customers may qualify
for financial assistance from various government and
nonprofit programs for utility bills and other household
expenses.
Other energy-saving programs, tips and guidance to help you
manage higher energy bills that can result from increased energy
usage are available at duke-energy.com/SeasonalBills or you can
call the Customer Care number listed on your energy bill.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500
megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million
residential, commercial and industrial customers across a
13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities
serve 8.2 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves
1.6 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition
to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural
gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity
generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets
of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for
Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by
2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the
company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy
storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More
information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke
Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos
and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories
about people, innovations, community topics and environmental
issues. Follow Duke Energy
on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contact: Audrey Stasko
Media line: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy