Duke Energy to help low-income Charlotte residents cut energy costs. How you can qualify
The city is teaming up with Duke Energy to launch a pilot program that provides free home repairs and could cut electric costs for low-income homeowners and renters.
The City of Charlotte recently announced it would be involved in the High Energy Use Pilot Program aimed to help local Duke customers get free repairs and upgrades to improve housing safety and reduce electricity usage.
Those upgrades would include replacement air conditioning systems, water heaters, refrigerators, windows and more.
According to the Department of Energy, low-income households spend 8.6% of their gross income on energy costs. That is estimated to be three times higher than for non-low-income households, which spend an estimated 3% of their gross income.
Charlotte is one of three North Carolina municipalities selected for the program. City officials say the initial goal is to help 1,000 people over the next two years.
Duke Energy is investing $4 million in the Charlotte area to support energy retrofits for 500 qualifying customers, and the city is providing up to $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to support home repairs.
“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 at the same time reduce emissions in our community,” Mayor Vi Lyles said in a statement.
The pilot program was created in conjunction with the North Carolina Utilities Commission to provide free energy efficiency retrofits at no cost.
Who qualifies in Charlotte?
The pilot program is open to Duke customers in Mecklenburg County, Forsyth County and Guilford County who have an annual electricity usage at or greater than 17,800 kilowatt-hours (kWh). To qualify, you must also be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and enrolled in at least one income-qualified government assistance program:
Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Head Start
Medicaid
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
OTHER: Currently enrolled in a program sponsored by the city or county of residence that required income qualification to enroll
Here is a breakdown of the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines to determine financial eligibility for the program based on annual income:
How to sign up
Appointments will start in mid-May, but Duke Energy is already accepting applications for the program now. For more information or to apply, residents can visit duke-energy.com/highusehelp.
If approved, a Duke Energy contractor will schedule an appointment to look around your home for an energy audit to evaluate the best ways to help you lower your energy use and bill.
After the audit, the contractor will work with local agencies to resolve any health and safety issues and coordinate with pre-approved subcontractors to complete any recommended upgrades.
This story was originally published April 17, 2023 at 1:46 PM.