Triangle residents may get bigger energy bills soon. Don’t make these mistakes
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- Duke Energy offers free in-home energy assessments that usually take about an hour.
- Some people may also be able to get shower heads and weatherstripping installed for free.
- Other ways to save money include turning up the thermostat and using ceiling fans.
With high temperatures putting air conditioners to work, the Triangle’s biggest electric utility is encouraging residents to take advantage of a free program to make sure they’re not missing out on potential savings this summer.
Duke Energy customers can sign up for a home energy assessment, where an expert visits your home and offers suggestions on ways you can make it more energy efficient.
During the in-home visit, the energy auditor can also install free products, if needed. Those include shower heads, kitchen faucet aerators, bath aerators, weatherstripping, caulking, thermostatic shut off valves, smart power strips, foam insulation spray, furnace filter whistles and hot water turndowns.
The News & Observer accompanied Tyler Dominisac, an energy auditor with Duke Energy, on an energy assessment at a Raleigh home to see what customers should expect during the service.
Here are a few things Triangle residents should do now to make sure their home is ready for the summer.
Ways to make your home more energy efficient
- Check your AC condenser unit.
The AC condenser unit consumes a ton of power, so it’s important to inspect and clean it. Dirt and debris makes the unit run less efficiently.
If you’re pretty handy, you might be able to clean the unit yourself, Dominisac said. Otherwise, it would take a professional no more than a half-hour to do the job.
- Check attic access points.
Insulate attic access points in your home to prevent warm air from seeping into rooms.
“When that hot air comes in here, it warms up the house, and it’s not going to get as cool as you like,” Dominisac said. “So we have to make sure it’s sealed properly.”
The home we visited had a scuttle hatch, and Dominisac recommended adding insulation to the back of the hatch and air-sealing the hatch with weatherstripping on the frame.
- Check air filters.
About once a month, take a look at your air filters to make sure they’re clean. They’ll need to be replaced every 30-90 days, depending on your lifestyle choices and the cleanliness of your home, Dominisac said.
Dirty filters can choke the HVAC’s blower motor, stressing the system.
- Check vents.
The home we visited had a floor vent that led directly to the crawl space. Dominisac sealed the vent with duct sealing tape, which you can buy at home improvement stores, to keep cool air from seeping out.
- Check water heaters.
Insulate pipes and the hot water heater tank itself to prevent standby heat loss.
You can also help your hot water heater last longer by draining and flushing it once a year to remove sediment that has collected at the bottom, Dominisac said.
Saving money on electric bills
Some Duke Energy customers with smart thermostats may qualify for EnergyWise. It’s a voluntary, free program that allows Duke Energy to temporarily adjust your thermostat to reduce energy use during peak demand. In exchange, customers get annual bill credits.
You can also adjust your thermostat yourself to help lower bills. During the summer, turn it up to the highest comfortable setting, and increase it slightly when you’re not at home.
“Everyone’s comfort is different, so just going by what works for you is great,” Dominisac said.
When you are at home, turn on a ceiling fan. It won’t change the temperature of the room, but it could help you feel up to 4 degrees cooler, according to Duke Energy. During the summer, make sure the blades are set to spin counterclockwise.
How to schedule an energy assessment
The home energy assessment usually takes about an hour, Caroline Fountain, communications manager for Duke Energy, told The N&O. Schedule an energy assessment at duke-energy.com.
Duke Energy can perform the free assessment at your home, virtually or by phone once every three years, but you can take a web assessment once a year.
This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 12:15 PM with the headline "Triangle residents may get bigger energy bills soon. Don’t make these mistakes."
