CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer means
rising temperatures, and Duke Energy is helping customers save with
easy, low- to no-cost do-it-yourself projects and tips to prepare
for summer's heat.
"We typically see energy use spike in the summer since air
conditioning is one of the biggest energy users in your home," said
Barbara Higgins, Duke Energy senior
vice president and chief customer officer. "We offer free programs,
tools and tips to help customers track and manage their energy use,
so they can take control and avoid billing surprises."
Low- to no-cost energy efficiency tips
High temperatures can lead to higher energy usage and bills as
people try to stay cool. Below are some tips to help manage your
energy use.
- Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter
makes an HVAC system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Set your thermostat at the highest comfortable
setting. The smaller the difference between the inside and
outside temperatures, the lower your energy usage and bill will
be.
- Close blinds, drapes and curtains during the hottest part of
the day. Keeping your blinds, drapes and curtains closed will
help prevent the sun's rays from heating your house.
- Use a ceiling fan in occupied rooms to supplement your air
conditioning. Make sure the fans are set to operate in a
counterclockwise direction to push cool air down into living
spaces.
- Grill outdoors. Using your electric oven and stovetop
creates a lot of indoor heat. Help save energy by firing up the
grill outdoors or prepare meals that don't require
cooking.
- 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.
5 easy energy efficiency projects for your home
Sealing air leaks and installing faucet aerators will help you
save money by using less energy. These tips and videos will show
you how with step-by-step instructions. And, if you have a home
improvement project that requires a contractor, Find It
Duke can provide free referrals.
- Install switch and outlet seals. Cooled air that
escapes means your home's cooling system works harder. Installing
seals behind electric switches and outlets on exterior walls helps
keep the cool air in, and warm air out. Video and b-roll
- Apply weatherstripping to doors. Keep cooled air
inside your home with self-adhesive weatherstripping on door
frames. Video and b-roll
- Caulk around windows and doors. Applying a bead
of caulk around windows and doors is a simple way to keep cool air
inside. Video and b-roll
- Replace showerhead. You can reduce the amount of
water you use by about 30% after replacing your showerhead with a
low-flow model. This energy saving feature saves water, of course,
but also cuts down on energy usage if you have an electric water
heater. Video and b-roll
- Install a faucet aerator. An aerator on the
kitchen faucet will use less water, conserve energy and lower your
energy costs. Video and b-roll
Track, manage your energy usage
Customers can also easily track and adjust their usage all
summer long.
- 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. Video and b-roll available here.
- 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 adjust 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.
Other energy-saving programs, tips and guidance to
help you manage higher energy bills that can result from
increased energy is available at Duke-Energy.com/Summer.
Duke Energy
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 7.9 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
51,000 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 27,500
people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy strategy to
create a smarter energy future for its customers and communities –
with goals of at least a 50 percent carbon reduction by 2030 and
net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company is a top U.S.
renewable energy provider, on track to operate or purchase 16,000
megawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2025. The company also is
investing in major electric grid upgrades and expanded battery
storage, and exploring zero-emitting power generation technologies
such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2021 "World's Most Admired
Companies" list and Forbes' "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.
Media contact: Meghan Miles
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_MeghanM
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SOURCE Duke Energy