Duke Energy launches high energy use pilot program in Charlotte

Duke Energy Carolinas said on Tuesday it is launching an income-qualified energy efficiency home rehabilitation pilot program with the City of Charlotte.

The High Energy Use Pilot program will help income-qualified customers with high-energy use get home repairs as well as retrofitting to improve energy efficiency and housing safety. Duke said it will invest an estimated $4 million in the region for energy retrofits for approximately 500 customers. Retrofits can include replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, as well as air sealing, insulation, installation of LED bulbs and swapping out older refrigerators with newer energy-efficient models.

“Duke Energy is proud to collaborate with the City of Charlotte on this public-private partnership to deliver the benefits of energy efficiency to a greater diversity of customers across the city,” Kendal Bowman, North Carolina state president, Duke Energy, said. “We appreciate the city’s leadership and are hopeful that this pilot, if successful, may one day help expand offerings to help more customers save energy and money, and support a cleaner energy future for all communities we serve.”

The city will provide up to $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to repair homes if necessary before the retrofits can occur. Those repairs can cover everything from window, roof, chimney, plumbing, or water heater repairs or replacements, pressure relief valve installation, mechanical ventilation, and lead-based paint hazard control, the city said.

“The city is excited to partner with Duke Energy on this program,” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said. “By providing much-needed home repairs and energy retrofits, we can lower energy costs and provide safer housing for our residents who need it most, and reduce emissions in our community, all at the same time.”