Duke Energy provides free energy makeovers for low-income residents in Eustis

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ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. - More than 1,800 low-income customers in Eustis, 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 low-income customers living in select, census-defined communities. Since the program'’s inception in 2006, the company has implemented it in more than 35 communities across the state and installed approximately 293,000 energy-efficiency improvements in more than 17,200 low-income customers'’ homes.

The Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver program kickoff will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cutright Ninth Grade Center, 1801 Bates 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 $150 a year in energy costs.

In partnership with the city of Eustis, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Lake Community Action Agency, Eustis Housing Authority, and Bates Avenue Improvement Council, Duke Energy plans to install energy-efficient improvements in 1850 homes at no cost to residents.

Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver team members will install improvements between Oct. 2 and Dec. 13. 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 Eustis program targets homes and apartments with the following boundaries:

Block 1

From the corner of South Bay Street and West Ardice Avenue to Kurt Street, north on Kurt Street to W. Doane Avenue, west on W. Doane Avenue to Shultze Street, north on Shultze to W. Stevens Avenue, west on W. Stevens Avenue to Donnelly Street, north on Donnelly Street to W. Ward Avenue, west on W. Ward Avenue to Morin Street, north on Morin Street to Lakeshore Drive, east on Lakeshore Drive to S. Bay Street, S. Bay Street south to W. Ardice Avenue.

Block 2

From the corner of E. Orange Avenue and North Grove Street, north on North Grove Street to East Floral Avenue, west on E. Floral Avenue to N. Hawley Street, south on N. Hawley Street to East Bates Avenue, east on East Bates Avenue to Palmetto Road, north on Palmetto Road to Getford Road, east on Getford Road to CR 44, south on CR 44 to E. Orange Avenue, west on E. Orange Avenue to North Grove Street.

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 35 communities statewide, including Altamonte Springs, Apalachicola, Apopka, Avon Park, Carrabelle, 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 $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.

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: www.duke-energy.com.