Duke Energy Offers ‘12 Days Of Savings’ Energy Efficiency Tips

The holidays are a time for family and celebration, but they often bring higher energy use as temperatures decline. To help customers stay energy smart, Duke Energy is introducing ‘12 Days of Savings’ – a schedule of simple energy efficiency tips designed to help customers save energy and money.

“During the holidays, energy use naturally increases due to cooler temperatures and shorter days,” said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy’s North Carolina president. “Our goal is to make it easy for customers to take small steps that improve energy efficiency and deliver real savings.”

Starting Monday, Dec. 1, customers can follow daily tips through Friday, Dec. 12. Each day features practical habit changes and minor projects that make a meaningful difference in energy savings.

*B-roll is available here for download.

1. Monday, Dec. 1: Replace outside lighting – including your holiday lighting displays – with LED lightbulbs that have combined photosensors and motion sensors.
    
2. Tuesday, Dec. 2: Replace your most frequently used indoor incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. ENERGY STAR^®-qualified LEDs, for example, use 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Check out our online store for lighting options.
    
3. Wednesday, Dec. 3: Replace your air filter if needed, and set a reminder to check it periodically to help your heating system run more efficiently and last longer. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
    
4. Thursday, Dec. 4: Adjust your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. The closer you match your thermostat to outdoor temps, the more you can save. Even a couple degrees make a difference.
    
5. Friday, Dec. 5: Leave blinds and/or curtains open during sunny winter days to allow the sun’s rays to warm your home but close them at night to help with insulation.
    
6. Saturday, Dec. 6: Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors and seal air leaks in duct work – it can save you up to 20% in heating costs.
    
7. Sunday, Dec. 7: Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Water heating is typically the second-biggest user of energy in your home.
    
8. Monday, Dec. 8: Insulate the pipes extending from your water heater, using foam pipe insulation on the first 6 feet for maximum savings.
    
9. Tuesday, Dec. 9: Install low-flow showerheads to save both electricity and water. Showers can account for over half of the hot water used in your home.
    
10. Wednesday, Dec. 10: Check for cracks or deterioration of the seals on your refrigerator door and replace worn seals promptly. Try the dollar bill test to check the seal – close the door on a dollar bill and it should stay there without falling.
     
11. Thursday, Dec. 11: Change ceiling fan settings to spin in a clockwise direction in the winter, which pushes warm air back down into the room. Most fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the motor.
     
12. Friday, Dec. 12: Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Leaving a fan on in an empty room is considered a waste of energy.

A free Home Energy Assessment can help you identify simple ways to reduce energy use and increase efficiency. Participants receive free home efficiency products, such as weather stripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads and more, plus a personalized energy usage report with expert energy-saving advice. You may also learn if you qualify for rebates on efficiency upgrades. Schedule your assessment today to start saving.

For more information, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Duke Energy 

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.