Duke Energy Gives Efficiency Makeover to Some Customers

Residents in four Greensboro neighborhoods are plugging into savings.

Sometimes, making your home more energy efficient can be an expensive investment. However, Duke Energy can offset many of these expenses for some of its customers through its Residential Neighborhood Program. This month, company representatives are working with homeowners and renters in four Greensboro communities: Ole Asheboro, Asheboro Square, Arlington Park, and Benbow Park.

“We target neighborhoods where approximately 50 percent of residents are classified as low income based on federal and state guidelines," said Kristina Hill, a Duke Energy spokeswoman.  "We also use census data as well to objectively select communities where the program will be most beneficial.”

According to Hill, for the next several weeks, 1,700 homes will undergo energy assessments and receive up to 16 efficiency improvements. “They can receive energy efficiency light bulbs, a year's supply of HVAC filters and a filter change calendar, and a wall plate thermometer or refrigerator thermometer to make their home more efficient," explained Hill.

The program began in March of 2013. Since then, more than 3,600 households in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and Kentucky have benefited from the Residential Neighborhood Program. There's no out-of-pocket cost to participants, but all Duke Energy customers pay $4.20 towards the program through their monthly utility bill. This is one of more than a dozen energy efficient programs the company offers to customers. In early April, Duke representatives also launched the Residential Neighborhood Program in parts of Burlington and Gastonia.

*Anmargaret Warner is an intern at 88.5 WFDD and a senior at Wake Forest University.