AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
With high temperatures putting air conditioners to work, the Triangle’s biggest electric utility is encouraging residents to take advantage of a free program to make sure they’re not missing out on potential savings this summer.
Read more Hurricanes names engraved on Stanley Cup. Why is Tom Dundon’s family included?
Duke Energy customers can sign up for a home energy assessment, where an expert visits your home and offers suggestions on ways you can make it more energy efficient.
During the in-home visit, the energy auditor can also install free products, if needed. Those include shower heads, kitchen faucet aerators, bath aerators, weatherstripping, caulking, thermostatic shut off valves, smart power strips, foam insulation spray, furnace filter whistles and hot water turndowns.
The News & Observer accompanied Tyler Dominisac, an energy auditor with Duke Energy, on an energy assessment at a Raleigh home to see what customers should expect during the service.
Here are a few things Triangle residents should do now to make sure their home is ready for the summer.
The AC condenser unit consumes a ton of power, so it’s important to inspect and clean it. Dirt and debris makes the unit run less efficiently.
If you’re pretty handy, you might be able to clean the unit yourself, Dominisac said. Otherwise, it would take a professional no more than a half-hour to do the job.
Insulate attic access points in your home to prevent warm air from seeping into rooms.
“When that hot air comes in here, it warms up the house, and it’s not going to get as cool as you like,” Dominisac said. “So we have to make sure it’s sealed properly.”
The home we visited had a scuttle hatch, and Dominisac recommended adding insulation to the back of the hatch and air-sealing the hatch with weatherstripping on the frame.
About once a month, take a look at your air filters to make sure they’re clean. They’ll need to be replaced every 30-90 days, depending on your lifestyle choices and the cleanliness of your home, Dominisac said.
Read more NC homeowners pooled Helene relief money for road fix. Their HOA has gone silent
Dirty filters can choke the HVAC’s blower motor, stressing the system.
The home we visited had a floor vent that led directly to the crawl space. Dominisac sealed the vent with duct sealing tape, which you can buy at home improvement stores, to keep cool air from seeping out.
Insulate pipes and the hot water heater tank itself to prevent standby heat loss.
You can also help your hot water heater last longer by draining and flushing it once a year to remove sediment that has collected at the bottom, Dominisac said.
Some Duke Energy customers with smart thermostats may qualify for EnergyWise. It’s a voluntary, free program that allows Duke Energy to temporarily adjust your thermostat to reduce energy use during peak demand. In exchange, customers get annual bill credits.
You can also adjust your thermostat yourself to help lower bills. During the summer, turn it up to the highest comfortable setting, and increase it slightly when you’re not at home.
“Everyone’s comfort is different, so just going by what works for you is great,” Dominisac said.
When you are at home, turn on a ceiling fan. It won’t change the temperature of the room, but it could help you feel up to 4 degrees cooler, according to Duke Energy. During the summer, make sure the blades are set to spin counterclockwise.
The home energy assessment usually takes about an hour, Caroline Fountain, communications manager for Duke Energy, told The N&O. Schedule an energy assessment at duke-energy.com.
Duke Energy can perform the free assessment at your home, virtually or by phone once every three years, but you can take a web assessment once a year.
Read more New business coming to North Hills will be its first location in the Triangle