Shared From Duke Energy News Room • February 7, 2018
The new year brought in a blast of cold weather, and Duke Energy is offering some tips for managing your energy costs.
As colder temperatures settle in, follow these simple energy-efficiency tips to save all winter long:
Money-saving tips to combat the cold
- Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting when home, and bump the thermostat down a degree or two when leaving home.
- Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
- One of the easiest things customers can do to support heating efficiency is to change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Have the HVAC system checked regularly by a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor to maintain efficiency and peak performance. Duke Energy offers qualified customers rebates to help offset the cost of replacing older HVAC units with more energy efficient ones.
- Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun's rays to warm the house, but close them at night to help insulate your home.
- Replace standard bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs or light emitting diodes (LED). CFLs and LEDs are more efficient than regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light. Visit Duke Energy's online store for free and discounted bulbs: duke-energy.com/deals.
Can a Durham landlord deny an emotional support animal? A 2026 guide to NC Fair Housing rules on ESAs, reasonable accommodation, verification, and lawful denial.
Renting off campus near Duke, UNC or NCCU in 2026? A student and parent guide to leases, co-signers, roommates and move-in timing in Durham and the Triangle.
Renting off campus near Duke, UNC or NCCU in 2026? A student and parent guide to leases, co-signers, roommates and move-in timing in Durham and the Triangle.
Moving to Durham, NC this summer? Your 2026 renter's guide to neighborhoods, cost of living, peak-season leasing timing, and renting near Duke University.
A plain-English guide to North Carolina landlord-tenant law for Durham renters and owners: security deposit limits, deadlines, lease-break rules, and tenant rights
Is it better to rent or buy in Durham's 2026 market? A clear look at Triangle home prices, rents, mortgage rates, and the break-even math to help you decide.
A 2026 breakdown of property management fees in Durham, NC: monthly %, leasing fees, renewal and vacancy charges, and what's actually included for rental owners.
3 Key Questions to Choose the Best Property Management Company
Top Rental Improvements for 2026
Unpacking the Rental Market Trends of 2025
