Jul 6, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Duke Energy Indiana helps customers manage electricity costs as summer heat continues

PLAINFIELD, Ind., July 6, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot weather can lead to higher energy bills as Duke Energy Indiana customers try to stay cool this summer. The company is offering free tools and tips to help customers manage those costs.

"We know that May and June brought above-average temperatures in our Indiana service territory, and according to our company meteorologists, that trend will continue in July and August," said Melody Birmingham-Byrd, Duke Energy Indiana state president. "We want to make sure our customers have the information and tools they need to help control their energy costs."

Ways to manage summer electricity bills

Duke Energy offers free programs and tools to help customers better understand and manage their energy expenses. Keep in mind that the further your thermostat setting is from the actual temperature outside, the more energy you'll use. Here are some tips to help manage costs:

    --  Budget Billing gives customers better control over their energy spending
        by establishing predictable monthly payments.
    --  Our online savings calculators help customers understand how their homes
        use energy - and how they can potentially reduce their consumption and
        better manage their summer bills.
    --  Customers can also sign up to receive High Bill Alerts for when adverse
        weather is projected to increase their electric bills by at least 30
        percent and $30 compared to historical usage.
    --  Customers with smart meters can check online to view their daily usage
        tool. Smart meters collect usage information by the hour, so checking
        spikes throughout the month - by day and even hour - can show what
        appliances and behaviors are increasing their bill.

Low- to no-cost summer tips

    --  Set your AC to the comfortable setting that meets your lifestyle needs.
        Hot summer days can mean higher energy bills. The further your
        thermostat setting is from the temperature outside, the higher your
        energy bill will be.
    --  Change or clean your air filters monthly. A dirty air filter can make a
        cooling system work harder, which uses more energy.
    --  Inspect and service your HVAC. Have your HVAC system checked by a
        qualified heating and air conditioning contractor to make sure it is
        operating efficiently. This will also help extend the life of the
        system.
    --  Don't cool an empty house. If you'll be out and about, adjust or program
        your thermostat to work around your schedule.
    --  Close the blinds. Shutting blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest
        part of the day can keep the sun's rays from heating your house.
    --  Grill outdoors. Cooking in the oven and on the stovetop creates a lot of
        indoor heat. Help save energy by firing up the grill outdoors, or
        prepare meals that don't require cooking.
    --  Use fans in occupied rooms. They circulate air to supplement air
        conditioning. Make sure the fans are set to operate in a
        counterclockwise direction.
    --  Turn off unnecessary lights. Be sure to turn off lights when you leave a
        room. Lights emit heat and cause your air conditioning system to work
        harder.
    --  Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient lighting options. LEDs
        use up to 90 percent less energy than traditional bulbs and last at
        least 15 times longer.
    --  Seal air leaks with caulking and weatherstripping. And keep the door
        closed as much as you can to keep the cool air inside.

Additional resources

    --  Eligible homeowners in Indiana can get a free home energy assessment,
        which includes an Energy Efficiency Starter Kit containing LEDs, an
        energy-efficient showerhead, and switch and outlet energy seals.
    --  Duke Energy partners with local agencies to help low-income customers
        who may struggle to pay their energy bills. Please visit the company's
        website or call 800.521.2232 to learn more about the special assistance
        programs available to Indiana customers.
    --  In addition, financial emergencies may occur from time to time. Duke
        Energy strongly encourages customers to call 800.521.2232 to learn about
        payment arrangements if they receive a disconnection notice and cannot
        pay before the disconnection date.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana's operations provide about 6,700 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 820,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state's largest electric supplier.

Duke Energy Indiana is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK).

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.

A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's Best Employers" list.

More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Contact: Lew Middleton
Office: 317.838.1505 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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SOURCE Duke Energy