Duke Energy says as many as 4,000 households in North Carolina may qualify for assistance with making their homes more energy efficient. Qualified customers can receive up to $10,000 in upgrades, Duke said.
Duke Energy press release:
RALEIGH – As many as 4,000 households may be eligible for an energy makeover, courtesy of a new Duke Energy program now available across the state.
The Helping Home Fund, a $20 million program authorized through an agreement with the N.C. Public Staff and approved by the N.C. Utilities Commission during the 2013 Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Carolinas rate cases, is now available for income-qualified Duke Energy customers in North Carolina.
The program is administered by the N.C. Community Action Association (NCCAA) and offered through 21 local agencies across the state. As part of the agreement, each Duke Energy utility in the state will distribute $10 million through the program.
Duke Energy’s Helping Home Fund provides income-qualified customers with up to $10,000 in energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to the customer. Funds for the program will come from Duke Energy shareholders, and not through customer rates.
Information on participating agencies and how to apply for funds can be found at www.duke-energy.com/helpinghomefund
“Helping all of our customers save energy and money is very important to Duke Energy,” said Paul Newton, Duke Energy state president – North Carolina. “These funds will provide energy-saving measures at no charge to customers who may not otherwise be able to afford them. Duke Energy’s Helping Home Fund will bring real help to our customers, and real benefits for years to come.”
The program is available to customers who meet U.S. Department of Energy criteria as being income-qualified, with household income at 200 percent of federal poverty levels.
Measures may include weatherization upgrades, heating and cooling system replacements, appliance replacements, and health and safety upgrades to customers’ homes. An energy assessment of the home will help to determine which measures are most appropriate.
Customers will also receive information on their home’s energy use and strategies to save energy.
In addition to assistance provided through Duke Energy’s Helping Home Fund, the company provides weatherization upgrades at no cost to income-qualified customers through the Neighborhood Energy Saver program and Residential Neighborhood Program.
The programs have installed energy-saving measures in more than 22,000 homes in the Carolinas since 2009, helping customers save nearly 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.
Duke Energy’s Energy Neighbor Fund and Share the Warmth programs have also provided millions of dollars in assistance to help pay energy and heating costs for thousands of customers across the state. And more than $13 million in funds were made available to assist customers in need as part of the merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy.
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: www.duke-energy.com.
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