Duke Energy : Florida provides free energy makeovers for income-eligible residents in selected Pine Hills neighborhoods July 8, 2016

• Tools and tips can help save up to $200 a year in energy costs

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - More than 1,500 income-eligible customers in selected Pine Hills neighborhoods in Orlando will soon receive a jolt of positive energy from Duke Energy.

Through its innovative Neighborhood Energy Saver program, the company will give qualified customers a complimentary energy makeover for their house or apartment.

Customers receive up to 20 energy-saving improvements, including HVAC filters, water heater tank wraps and insulation for water pipes. They will also learn how daily activities, habits and other factors can increase their electric use and raise their energy bills.

The program can help customers in single-family homes save up to $200 a year in energy costs and customers living in apartments up to $150 a year.

'Duke Energy is committed to arming our customers with information on how to better manage their energy use,' said Alex Glenn, Duke Energy Florida state president. 'Our Neighborhood Energy Saver program has a long history of success. The program provides improvements and information that helps customers save money on their energy bills and make long-lasting, positive changes.'

'Duke has done a wonderful job coming into the home, changing everything, telling me these tips, and just overall making it an energy-efficient home,' said Danielle Hogan, a past program participant. 'I can't thank Duke Energy enough for what they've done for us.'

In partnership with the Department of Economic Opportunity's Weatherization Assistance Program and Orange County government, Duke Energy will install energy-efficient improvements in more than 1,500 homes and apartments in selected neighborhoods in Pine Hills.

'Orange County Community Action is proud to partner with the Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver program,' said Sherry Paramore, Orange County Community Action division manager. 'This opportunity can make a big difference in the lives of low-income residents.'

This is phase two of the Pine Hills project. During phase one in March 2016, 1,700 customers received complimentary energy makeovers.

Since the program's inception in 2006, the company has implemented the Neighborhood Energy Saver program in more than 44 communities across Florida and installed more than 396,000 energy-efficiency improvements in over 25,000 income-eligible customers' homes.

The Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver program kickoff will take place on Tuesday, July 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pine Hills Community Center, 6408 Jennings Rd., Orlando.

Duke Energy Neighborhood Energy Saver team members will install improvements in the weeks following the kickoff. This year, the program has added air-conditioning maintenance, duct sealing and insulation for single-family homes. In addition, each participant will receive up to 20 energy-efficiency improvements at no cost, including:

• water heater tank 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 eight energy-efficient lightbulbs.

A map detailing the eligible neighborhoods in Pine Hills is available upon request.

Federal and state guidelines and census data are used to objectively select communities where the program would be most beneficial.

Since 1981, Duke Energy has helped its Florida customers save nearly $1.25 billion through its energy-efficiency programs including the Neighborhood Energy Saver program. For more information on energy-efficiency tips that benefit all homeowners, visit www.duke-energy.com, click on 'Florida' and then 'Save Energy & Money.'

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida owns coal-fired and natural gas generation providing about 9,100 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.7 million customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.

With its Florida regional headquarters located in St. Petersburg, Fla., Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.4 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. Its Commercial Portfolio and International business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index 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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