With temperatures and heat indices topping 105 degrees in the coming days, Duke Progress Energy on Thursday asked customers to conserve electricity.
The news release came out as more than 2,000 customers from Chadbourn to Evergreen, Fair Bluff and Cerro Gordo were without power. Restoration was expected by 1 p.m., according to Duke Progress Outage Maps.
“We know that certain parts of our state are experiencing record-breaking heat resulting in greater energy use,” said Kendal Bowman, North Carolina state president, Duke Energy. “Educating our customers on available programs to help them manage their energy costs can make dealing with the summer temperatures a bit easier.”
The company said it offers three types of customer assistance: energy efficiency programs, billing and payment options, and direct assistance through several different programs.
Duke Progress regularly urges customers to sign up for usage alerts and EnergyWise Power Manager program, which gives the company control over how much electricity is used in participating homes. The company will adjust power usage at homes when the load is too high. Free energy audits are also available in some areas.
Customers can also pick a due date, sign up for “Budget Billing,” a self-adjusting fixed rate program, or apply for installment payment plans for past due amounts.
Income qualified programs can provide weatherization assistance for some customers, and the Share the Light fund helps customers pay bills via donations.
For more information on programs available in their community, customers can visit duke-energy.com or call the Customer Care number listed on their energy bill.
