OREANDA-NEWS.  Nearly 400 low-income customers in Carrabelle, Fla., will soon receive a much-needed boost from Duke Energy.Through the company’s innovative Neighborhood Energy Saver program, the

homes and apartments of qualified customers will receive a complimentary energy makeover, which includes the installation of up to 16 energy-saving improvements.

The company will also educate customers about the behaviors and other factors that contribute to their energy bills.

"Duke Energy is committed to helping our customers better understand and manage their energy use," said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy’s Florida state president. "Through our Neighborhood Energy Saver program, we provide customers the tools to help reduce their energy bills and the information needed to make long-lasting, positive change."

The Neighborhood Energy Saver program benefits low-income customers living in select, census-defined communities. Since the program’s inception in 2006, the company has implemented it in more than 34 communities across the state and installed approximately 290,645 energy-efficiency improvements in more than 16,700 low-income customers’ homes.

The Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver program kickoff will take place on Tuesday, July 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Carabelle Municipal Complex, located at 1001 Gray Ave.

Eligible customers will learn about the program and the energy-efficiency improvements that, when used in conjunction with energy-saving practices, can help save up to USD 150 a year in energy costs.

In partnership with the city of Carabelle, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Franklin County Government, and Capital Area Community Action Agency, Duke Energy plans to install energy-efficient improvements in more than 400 homes at no cost to residents.

Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver team members will install improvements beginning July 31 and will conclude Sept. 3. Each participant will receive up to 16 energy-efficiency improvements at no cost, including:
water heater wraps and insulation for water pipes;
low-flow faucet aerator and low-flow showerhead;
refrigerator coil brush and refrigerator thermometer;
wall plate thermometer;
HVAC winterization kit;
water heater temperature check and adjustment; and
HVAC filters and a filter-change calendar.

Duke Energy Florida also helps reduce energy loss through the installation of door sweeps, caulking, foam insulation, weather stripping and clear patch tape. In addition, the company provides up to five compact fluorescent light bulbs.

The Carrabelle program targets homes and apartments with the following boundaries:
Block 1 - NW Avenue F east to Tallahassee Street; Tallahassee Street south to Hwy. 98/319.; Hwy 98/319 west to Ryan Drive/West 11th Street; Ryan Dr/West 11th Street north to NW Avenue F.
Block 2 - East on  Avenue C north to Gray Avenue to 12th Street SE.; south on 12th Street SE to Avenue F South.; west on Avenue F south to Marine Avenue; north on Marine Avenue to Tallahassee Street/Avenue C .

A flier showing the eligible area is available upon request. Federal and state guidelines and census data are used to objectively select communities where the program would be most beneficial.

The Neighborhood Energy Saver program began as a pilot project in 2006 in St. Petersburg’s Palmetto Park community. The program has been so successful that the company has conducted the outreach in 34 communities statewide, including Altamonte Springs, Apalachicola, Apopka, Avon Park, Clearwater, Crystal River, DeLand, East Orlando, Eastpoint, Eatonville, Haines City, Inverness, Jasper, Madison, New Port Richey, Perry, Plymouth, Sebring, Trenton, Zellwood, and several St. Petersburg neighborhoods.

Since 1981, Duke Energy has helped its Florida customers save nearly USD 1.25 billion through its energy-efficiency programs.

"Energy efficiency is critical to meeting our state’s long-term energy needs," Glenn said. "It is the quickest, easiest and most environmentally friendly way to reduce energy use." 

For more information on energy efficiency tips that all homeowners can benefit from, visit www.duke-energy.com, click on "Florida" and then "Save Energy & Money."

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), provides electricity and related services to approximately 1.7 million customers in Florida. The company is headquartered in St. Petersburg, Fla., and serves a territory encompassing more than 20,000 square miles including the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, as well as the Central Florida area surrounding Orlando. Duke Energy Florida is pursuing a balanced approach to meeting the future energy needs of the region. That balance includes increased energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system.