Duke Energy Helping Home Fund to Serve 700 Additional Income-Qualified North Carolina Families

CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 1, 2017 /3BL Media/ -- More than 700 income-qualified North Carolina families will save energy and money through free home energy makeovers provided by Duke Energy's Helping Home Fund.

The program serves families at or below 200 percent of federal poverty guidelines and provides energy efficiency upgrades at no cost to income-qualified customers.

Duke Energy is boosting the Helping Home Fund with an additional $2.5 million for weatherization upgrades, heating and cooling system repairs, appliance replacements and health and safety upgrades to customers' homes.

The Helping Home Fund has provided energy-saving measures and upgrades to more than 3,500 North Carolina families since launching in 2015 as a $20 millionprogram.

"Helping our customers save energy and money is important to Duke Energy," said David Fountain, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "For many of our low-income and elderly customers, energy-efficient appliances and technology are simply beyond their financial reach. The Helping Home Fund empowers customers to save energy by providing tools and upgrades that they otherwise might not be able to afford."

The program is administered by the N.C. Community Action Association (NCCAA) and offered through 28 agencies across the state.

"We can't thank Duke Energy enough for entrusting NCCAA and its network of agencies with doing this important work in communities across North Carolina," said Sharon Goodson, executive director of the N.C. Community Action Association. "We're excited Duke Energy is providing an additional $2.5 million to give even more low-income families across North Carolina the comfort and safety of an energy efficient home."

About Helping Home Fund 
An energy assessment is conducted at each participant's home to determine which measures are most appropriate. In addition to the installation of energy-efficiency measures, customers also receive information on their home's energy use and strategies to reduce energy costs in the future.

Services provided by the program include:

• Health and safety repairs up to $3,000 per home such as installation of hand rails, carbon monoxide detectors, minor roof, plumbing leaks and electrical repairs.

• Appliance replacement up to $2,000 per home including washing machine, refrigerator, and room air conditioners.

• Heating and cooling system repair up to $800 per home.

The additional funds to the Helping Home Fund were authorized through an agreement with the N.C. Public Staff and approved by the N.C. Utilities Commission during the 2016 Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas merger.

Information on participating agencies and how to apply for funds can be found at www.duke-energy.com/helpinghomefund

Duke Energy 
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. The company's Gas Utilities and Infrastructure business unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its Commercial Renewables business unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the United States.

Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. 

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