- Company also shares tips on ways to save energy and money as
temperatures drop this week; b-roll of energy-saving tips
available here
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 22,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As prolonged freezing
temperatures continue, Duke Energy continues executing a detailed
plan to manage the power grid as customer demand increases.
Customer demand is anticipated to peak on Thursday across the
Carolinas and Duke Energy is well positioned to meet that
demand.
"When we have temperatures this cold for this long, it is
important for us to use all of the programs that we have available
to us based on the demand that we are seeing on the system. These
include operating all available generating assets, offering
customer energy-saving programs and purchasing available power,"
said Ben Harrison, Duke Energy vice
president of grid operations - planning and operations. "This is
the time when we maximize resources to serve our customers."
Duke Energy's year-round preparation includes maintaining and
investing in the company's power generating assets, real-time
analysis, predictive modeling and strengthening the grid to be more
resistant to outages during extreme weather events. The company
also has a suite of customer programs that include voluntary
programs for residential and business customers to reduce energy
consumption when needed in exchange for a participation
incentive.
Duke Energy's robust set of tools also include the ability to
ask customers to voluntarily reduce their energy use during times
of highest energy demand. However, the company has not made this
request this week. In the winter, the peak times are in the early
morning hours when it is typically the coldest outside and
customers are starting their day.
Energy efficiency is also important year-round to save money on
your electric bill. When temperatures plummet, it is a key time to
make small adjustments to manage energy use to help save and avoid
bill 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.
For energy-saving tips, check out our Winter Energy Savings
webpage at duke-energy.com/WinterEnergySavings.
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
