- Company also shares tips on ways to save energy and money as
temperatures drop this week; b-roll of energy-saving tips available
here
- Company prepares for possibility of snow
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 21,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Carolinas experience
sustained freezing temperatures, Duke Energy wants customers to
understand the significant impact it can have on bills.
"When the temperatures drop, the demand for energy spikes as
families combat the cold to stay warm, which causes bills to
increase," says Sasha Weintraub,
Duke Energy senior vice president and chief customer officer.
"There are easy, but important adjustments you can make to help
keep your home warm, but also to help cut down on heating costs and
avoid billing surprises."
Ways to save energy and money as temperatures drop
- During the winter, reduce your thermostat to the lowest
comfortable setting. The longer your house remains at the lower
temperature the more energy you save. You can save as much as 10% a
year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back
7 to 10 degrees per day.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees or less. Water heating is
typically the second-biggest user of energy in your home.
- 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.
- Cover drafty windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on
a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of window frames
during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed
tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
- Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows
that feel drafty after weatherizing.
- Change your air filter and schedule regular maintenance for
your heating systems. Maintaining your heating systems can help
increase efficiency.
- Seal cracks in windows, doors and vents with caulking and
weatherstripping to save 10% to 20% in heating costs.
- Replace standard bulbs with LEDs. LEDs are more efficient than
regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light.
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.
Winter storm safety reminders
Duke Energy continues to
monitor forecasts including the potential for snow that could cause
power outages in some areas across the Carolinas especially due to
hazardous road conditions that could cause vehicle collisions with
power equipment. Duke Energy has resources available to respond
quickly to restore power when outages occur.
We encourage customers to prepare for a potential outage during
the anticipated prolonged cold weather. Here are important safety
reminders:
- Ensure mobile phones remain charged and you have an adequate
supply of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, nonperishable
foods and medicines.
- If you use a generator, follow the manufacturer's instructions
to ensure safe and proper operation. Operate your generator
outside, and never in a building or garage.
- Do not use grills or other outdoor appliances indoors for space
heating or cooking, as these devices may emit carbon monoxide.
- Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging.
Consider all lines energized as well as trees or limbs in contact
with lines. Report any downed power lines to Duke Energy or local
emergency services.
- Make alternate shelter arrangements, as needed, if you are
significantly affected by a loss of power – especially families who
have special medical needs or elderly members.
- If a power line falls across a car that you are in, stay in the
car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other
immediate life-threatening situation, jump clear of the car and
land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching
the car when your feet touch the ground.
- Ice and snow can cause hazardous driving conditions. If you do
have to travel and see utility or emergency crews working along the
road, remember to move over or slow down.
More tips on what to do before, during and after a storm can be
found
at duke-energy.com/safety-and-preparedness/storm-safety.
Reporting an outage
Customers who experience an outage
during a storm can report it the following ways:
- Text OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may
apply).
- Use the Duke Energy mobile app. Download the Duke Energy app
from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play.
- Visit duke-energy.com/outages on a desktop computer or
mobile device.
- Call the automated outage reporting system at 800.POWERON
(800.769.3766).
- Visit our interactive outage map to find up-to-date
information on power outages, including the total number of outages
systemwide and estimated times of restoration.
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 X, 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
