Duke Energy Pledges Funds for Florida Customers on Rays Opening Day
As the Tampa Bay Rays kick off their baseball season, Duke Energy is marking the occasion with a strong commitment to supporting Floridians facing financial hardships. The company and its foundation have announced a pledge to donate $1,000 to its Share the Light Fund for every Rays regular-season game win, helping provide vital financial assistance to customers in need across Florida.
“At Duke Energy Florida, we are proud to serve over 2 million customers daily. In times of challenge, we are committed to supporting our communities, and our assistance programs are one way we demonstrate this dedication,” said Melissa Seixas, state president of Duke Energy Florida. “By partnering with well-established organizations like the Tampa Bay Rays, we can reach more customers who may need our help.”
The Share the Light Fund: A Lifeline for Floridians
The Share the Light Fund, Duke Energy’s primary customer assistance program, offers support to Florida residents struggling with their utility bills. It’s funded through contributions from employees, retirees, customers, and Duke Energy shareholders, with donations matched dollar for dollar up to $500,000 by the Duke Energy Foundation. This program has been essential for Floridians in need of financial support.
In 2024, nearly $750,000 in energy bill assistance was distributed to qualifying Florida customers through the Share the Light Fund. These funds are distributed monthly to various social service agencies within Duke Energy Florida’s 35-county territory, including United Way Suncoast, to help individuals and families manage their energy costs. A comprehensive list of service providers by county can be found on Duke Energy’s website.
Duke Energy’s Commitment to Energy Efficiency and Savings
Beyond financial assistance, Duke Energy provides a range of tools and resources to help customers reduce their energy usage and save money. The company offers several energy and bill management programs to help customers stay on top of their energy consumption, including Usage Alerts. These notifications inform customers when their energy bills may be higher than expected, giving them the opportunity to adjust their usage before the bill arrives.
Duke Energy also offers a variety of programs designed to make energy bills more predictable and affordable. These programs include:
- Home Energy Checks: Free in-person, online, or phone evaluations of your home’s energy efficiency, along with suggestions for improvements.
- Home Improvement Rebate Programs: Rebates for energy-efficient upgrades made around the home, available to those who complete a Home Energy Check.
- Income-Qualified Weatherization Program: Free installation of energy-efficient upgrades for homes where the income is below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
- EnergyWise® Home Program: Customers can earn annual bill credits by allowing Duke Energy to automatically reduce their energy usage during peak demand times.
- Time-of-Use Rate Program: Lowered rates for customers who shift their energy usage away from peak hours, typically from 3 to 6 p.m.
- Budget Billing: A predictable monthly payment plan that averages your energy costs throughout the year, helping to avoid sudden spikes in billing due to seasonal changes.
Saving Energy at Home: Low-Cost Tips
In addition to these programs, Duke Energy encourages customers to take steps to reduce their energy usage at home. Here are a few low-cost or no-cost tips that can help lower energy consumption and save money:
- Adjust your thermostat: Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature. The smaller the difference between inside and outside temperatures, the lower your energy usage.
- Maintain your heating system: Change your air filters regularly and schedule maintenance to keep your heating systems working efficiently.
- Water heater settings: Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Water heating is typically the second-largest energy consumer in the home.
- Seal air leaks: Caulk and weatherstrip around windows, doors, and vents to save 10% to 20% in heating and cooling costs.
- Switch to LED bulbs: Replacing standard bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs can save money while providing the same amount of light. Replacing just six frequently used bulbs with LEDs could save up to $480 over the bulbs’ lifetime.
