Duke Energy Florida provides free energy makeovers for income-eligible residents in Volusia County

• Tools and tips can help save up to $315 a year in energy costs

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,700 income-eligible customers in Volusia County's Orange City neighborhood will soon receive a jolt of positive energy from Duke Energy. Starting in February and lasting through April, the company will begin installing energy-efficient upgrades in homes.

Through its innovative Neighborhood Energy Saver program, the company will give qualified customers a complimentary energy makeover for their house or apartment.

The program can help customers in single-family homes save up to $315 a year in energy costs and customers living in apartments up to $150 a year.

"Helping customers better understand and manage their energy use is extremely important right now as many households continue to be financially overwhelmed by higher living expenses, including higher energy bills," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "Our Neighborhood Energy Saver program is an opportunity to provide customers with the energy-efficient upgrades and information necessary to reduce their energy use, save money and make long-lasting changes."

Duke Energy Florida will assess each home to determine if it qualifies for free attic insulation, duct sealing and AC maintenance. Customers receive up to 17 energy-saving improvements at no cost, including:

• Digital room thermometer
• Energy-saving showerhead or shower wand
• One-year supply of AC filters
• Water-saving kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators
• Energy-efficient lightbulbs
• Water heater wraps/pipe wrap
• Covers for window AC units
• Caulking, weatherstripping and door sweeps
• Insulation upgrade
• Basic AC maintenance
• AC duct leakage sealing

Customers will also learn how daily activities, habits and other factors can increase their electric use and raise their energy bills.

Eligible customers received an invitation to the Neighborhood Energy Saver launch event that will take place on Monday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Sorosis Club of Orange City, 222 E. University Ave. Customers should contact our Neighborhood Energy Saver Customer Care Center at 855.227.2918 to reserve their spot, or to get more information if they cannot attend the launch event.

A map detailing the eligible residents is available upon request.

"We're excited Duke Energy is bringing the Neighborhood Energy Saver program to our community," said Orange City Mayor Gary Blair. "This is a great opportunity for many residents and I urge those who are eligible to take advantage of it."

Since the Neighborhood Energy Saver program's inception in 2006, the company has implemented it in more than 64 communities across Florida and installed more than 600,000 energy efficiency improvements in more than 43,000 income-eligible customers' homes.

The program is available to residential customers (both homeowners and renters) living in communities identified by Duke Energy. Federal and state guidelines and census data are used to objectively select communities where the program would be most beneficial.

Since 1981, Duke Energy has helped its Florida customers save nearly $1.25 billion through its energy efficiency programs, including the Neighborhood Energy Saver program. For more information on energy efficiency tips that benefit all homeowners, visit duke-energy.com/home/savings.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

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 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 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 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear. 

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. 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: Audrey Stasko
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS

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SOURCE Duke Energy