ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - More than 440 low-income customers in Oviedo, 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 state president - Florida. "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 income eligible customers living in select, census-defined communities. Since the program's inception in 2006, the company has implemented it in more than 36 communities across the state and installed approximately 294,816 energy-efficiency improvements in more than 17,430 low-income customers' homes.
The Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver program kickoff will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Jackson Heights Middle School Cafeteria, 141 Academy Ave. in Oviedo, Fla.
In partnership with the city of Oviedo, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Improving Oviedo Neighborhoods, Seminole County Housing Authority, Oviedo Citizens In Action, Johnson Hill/Washington Heights Community Outreach, Meals On Wheels, and Seminole County Health Department, Duke Energy plans to install energy-efficient improvements in 440 homes at no cost to residents.
Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver team members will install improvements between Oct. 16 and Dec. 19. 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 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 Oviedo program targets homes and apartments with the following boundaries:
- CR 419 north on Reed Avenue, Reed Avenue to Washington Street, east on Washington Street to Wilson Avenue, south on Wilson Avenue to Harrison Street, east on Harrison Street to Pineview Drive, south on Pineview Drive to CR 419, west to Reed Avenue.
- CR 419 north on Avenue B., Avenue B to East Franklin Street to Stephens Street to CR 419., east on CR 419 to Avenue B.; to include Boston Avenue, Geneva Drive, Boston Street, Boston Alley, Academy Avenue and Boston Avenue in the Seminole County Housing Authority. Also included in the Jamestown Community: South Street, Security Street, Wynn Street, East Street and James Drive.
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 36 communities statewide, including Altamonte Springs, Apalachicola, Apopka, Avon Park, Carrabelle, Clearwater, Crystal River, DeLand, East Orlando, Eastpoint, Eatonville, Eustis, 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 $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 http://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.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 250 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at: http://www.duke-energy.com/.