CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is
providing tools and tips to help customers in North Carolina and South Carolina save energy and money as the
region's lingering heat wave continues.
"Extreme temperatures drive higher energy use since about half
the energy consumers use is to heat or cool their homes," said
Jim Henning, senior vice president
of customer services. "As high temperatures continue throughout the
summer, we want our customers to have the information and tools
they need to help manage their energy costs."
The Duke Energy system is performing well and the team will
continue to closely monitor the electric system to ensure its
customers receive reliable power during the extended hot weather
period.
High temperatures can lead to higher energy bills as Duke Energy
customers try to stay cool this summer. The company is offering
free tools and low- to no-cost tips to help customers manage energy
use.
Track your energy usage
Customers with smart
meters can check online to view their daily usage. Smart
meters collect usage information by the hour, so checking spikes
throughout the month – by day and even hour – can show what
appliances and behaviors are increasing their bills.
Videos are available for customers with smart meters to learn
how to track energy usage on a mobile device or a desktop
computer.
Duke Energy customers with smart meters also receive usage
alerts through email and/or text halfway through their billing
cycle, well before their bill arrives, with their current usage
amount and a projection of what their final monthly bill could
be.
Customers can also set budget alerts so they know when their
bill reaches a specific dollar amount of their choosing, allowing
them to make adjustments to their usage and help save money on
their bill.
Customers without smart meters can sign up to receive high bill
alerts for when adverse weather is projected to increase their
electric bills by at least 30 percent and $30 compared to historical usage.
Managing your bill
Equal Payment Plan gives
customers better control over their energy spending by establishing
predictable monthly payments.
Our online savings calculators help customers understand
how their homes use energy – and how they can potentially reduce
their consumption and better manage their summer bills.
Low- to no-cost summer energy efficiency
tips
Additionally, below are some tips to help manage your
energy costs all summer long.
- Set your air conditioning to the setting that comfortably meets
your lifestyle needs. Hot summer days can mean higher energy bills.
The further your thermostat setting is from the temperature
outside, the higher your energy bill will be.
- Change or clean your air filters monthly. A dirty air filter
can make a cooling system work harder, which uses more energy.
- 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. This will also help extend the life of
the system.
- Don't cool an empty house. If you'll be out and about, adjust
or program your thermostat to work around your schedule.
- Close the blinds. Shutting blinds, drapes and shades during the
hottest part of the day can keep the sun's rays from heating your
house.
- Grill outdoors. Cooking in the oven and on the stovetop creates
a lot of indoor heat. Help save energy by firing up the grill
outdoors, or prepare meals that don't require cooking.
- Use fans in occupied rooms. They circulate air to supplement
air conditioning. Make sure the fans are set to operate in a
counterclockwise direction.
- Turn off unnecessary lights. Be sure to turn off lights when
you leave a room. Lights emit heat and cause your air conditioning
system to work harder.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lighting
options. LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy than traditional
bulbs and last at least 15 times longer.
- Seal air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping. And keep
exterior doors closed as much as you can to keep the cool air
inside.
Additional resources
- Eligible homeowners in the Carolinas can get a free home
energy assessment, which includes an Energy Efficiency Starter Kit
containing LEDs, an energy-efficient showerhead, and switch and
outlet energy seals.
- Duke Energy partners with local agencies to help low-income
customers who may struggle to pay their energy bills. Please visit
the company's website, call 800.452.2777 (Duke Energy Progress) or
800.777.9898 (Duke Energy Carolinas) to learn more about the
special assistance programs available to North Carolina and South Carolina customers.
- In addition, financial emergencies may occur from time to time.
Duke Energy strongly encourages customers to call to learn about
payment arrangements if they receive a disconnection notice and
cannot pay their bill before the disconnection date.
Additionally, here are tips on how to understand your energy
bill and avoid surprises during hot weather:
https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/how-to-avoid-a-high-energy-bill-during-hot-weather.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of the
largest energy holding companies in the U.S. It employs 30,000
people and has an electric generating capacity of 51,000 megawatts
through its regulated utilities, and 3,000 megawatts through its
nonregulated Duke Energy Renewables unit.
Duke Energy is transforming its customers' experience,
modernizing the energy grid, generating cleaner energy and
expanding natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy
future for the people and communities it serves. The Electric
Utilities and Infrastructure unit's regulated utilities serve
approximately 7.7 million retail electric customers in six states –
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky. The Gas Utilities
and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to more than 1.6
million customers in five states – North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The Duke Energy Renewables unit
operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., as
well as energy storage and microgrid projects.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2019 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list, and Forbes' 2019 "America's Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact
sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's
illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Meghan Miles
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
meghan.miles@duke-energy.com
Twitter – @DE_MeghanM
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SOURCE Duke Energy