CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The current Carolinas heatwave might cause the green in your lawn to fade, but you can hold on to the green in your wallet with these simple, money-saving tips from Duke Energy, at little or no cost:
- Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting. Energy used to cool a home during summer can account for half of a monthly electric bill. Adjusting your thermostat to 76 degrees from 73 degrees saves more than 15 percent in electricity costs. If leaving for the day, turn the setting up a few degrees.
- Change your air filters regularly. A dirty air filter can make a cooling system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Make sure your HVAC system is ready to keep you cool by having it checked by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor.
- Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day to keep the sun's rays from heating the inside of your home.
- Turn off unnecessary lights, and use energy-efficient light bulbs that use less electricity and emit less heat.
- Seal air leaks with caulking and weather stripping, and minimize door traffic to keep cool air inside.
Duke Energy offers a variety of programs, incentives and rebates to help customers save money, including:
Duke Energy Carolinas customers:
Power Manager® is a voluntary program that pays you for reducing your air conditioning use during times of high demand for electricity. duke-energy.com/north-carolina/savings/power-manager.asp
Duke Energy Progress customers:
- Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP) offers incentives to help with the initial costs of making your home more energy efficient. www.duke-energy.com/heip
- EnergyWise Home® is a free, easy way to help the environment, plus you receive $25 a year for reducing energy consumption during peak-demand periods by allowing Duke Energy to temporarily cycle power off and on to your central air conditioning unit. www.duke-energy.com/energywisehome
- HVAC Audit offers a prequalified contractor who evaluates your system's efficiency and optimizes performance. Customers receive a $100 rebate for participation. www.duke-energy.com/hvacaudit
Duke Energy
Duke Energy is the largest electric power holding company in the United States with approximately $121 billion in total assets. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.3 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest.
Its commercial power and international energy business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
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SOURCE Duke Energy