Duke Energy's Strategies for Energy Efficiency During the Upcoming Cold Spell in the Carolinas

Preparing for the Cold: Duke Energy's Winter Strategies

As the Carolinas prepare for a severe cold snap, Duke Energy is proactively monitoring weather forecasts to keep its customers informed and prepared. This week's expected plunge in temperatures could see some locations drop to single digits, making energy efficiency more crucial than ever.

Energy-Focused Tips for Customers

Duke Energy is committed to helping its customers manage energy use effectively and save on bills, especially during extreme weather conditions. Some practical tips include:

1. Adjust Your Thermostat: Lower your thermostat to a comfortable setting that is closer to the outdoor temperature. Every degree reduction can lead to significant savings on your heating bill.

2. Maintain Heating Systems: Change air filters regularly and schedule maintenance for your heating systems to optimize their efficiency.

3. Utilize Natural Light: Open curtains on sunny days to allow sunlight in, and close them at night to retain warmth.

4. Use Ceiling Fans Wisely: Running ceiling fans clockwise during winter can help circulate warm air throughout your home.

5. Seal Drafts: Apply weatherstripping and caulk to seal leaks around windows, doors, and vents to reduce heating costs by 10-20%.

6. Switch to LEDs: Replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs to decrease electricity consumption.

7. Set Water Heater to 120°F: Lowering your water heater's temperature can significantly reduce energy use, as water heating is one of the largest energy consumers in homes.

Tools for Energy Management

To further assist customers, Duke Energy offers personalized usage alerts via their app. Subscribers can receive notifications when their electricity consumption approaches a predetermined limit, allowing them to adjust usage accordingly. The app also provides insights into daily and hourly energy use patterns, empowering customers to manage their energy consumption proactively.

By linking smart meters to their accounts, customers can seamlessly enroll in these usage alerts, which help them stay on top of their energy bills.

For additional tips, information about energy-saving incentives, and to enroll in usage alerts, customers can visit Duke Energy's Winter Resources.

Duke Energy Overview

Duke Energy, a major player in the energy sector, serves over 8.4 million customers across the Southeast and Midwest, focusing not only on customer service but also on sustainability. The company is committed to transitioning to cleaner energy sources, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050 and net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas operations by 2030. Duke Energy is investing heavily in renewable energy, natural gas, nuclear power, and critical upgrades to its electric grid to enhance reliability and affordability for its customers.

In summary, as temperatures drop across the Carolinas, Duke Energy is ensuring customers are equipped with practical and effective energy-saving strategies, highlighting the importance of a united effort in confronting the challenges posed by winter's chill.