Duke Energy helps customers stay energy smart as temperatures plunge with programs and tips to save money and energy

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is offering winter programs and tips to help customers lower bills as temperatures fall. Customers who enroll a qualifying smart thermostat receive a $150 initial bill credit + $50 annually. The company promotes Power Manager and EnergyWise Home programs and a Flex Savings Option time-of-use rate to shift usage and reduce costs. About 520,000 customers in the Carolinas already participate. Duke Energy serves 8.6 million electric and 1.7 million gas customers and owns 55,100 MW of capacity.

Positive

• $150 initial bill credit plus $50 annual credit for qualifying smart thermostats
• 520,000 customers already enrolled in Power Manager/EnergyWise Home in the Carolinas
• Flex Savings Option offers time-of-use rates to potentially lower bills by shifting usage

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction – DUK

+0.27%

+0.27% Session close to close

In the Jan 16 session, DUK gained 0.27%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights Duke Energy’s focus on helping customers manage winter bills through sm...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Duke Energy’s focus on helping customers manage winter bills through smart thermostat incentives, time-of-use options and practical efficiency tips. Framed against recent investments in battery storage and hydrogen demonstrations, it underscores both grid modernization and demand-side management across a base of 8.6 million electric and 1.7 million gas customers. Investors may watch adoption levels of these programs and future regulatory or financing disclosures, including activity under the $4,000,000,000 PremierNotes shelf.

Key Figures

Smart thermostat credit: $150 initial bill credit Annual thermostat reward: $50 annually Program participants: 520,000 customers +3 more

6 metrics

Smart thermostat credit $150 initial bill credit Enrollment incentive for qualifying smart thermostat program

Annual thermostat reward $50 annually Ongoing bill credit for demand reduction participation

Program participants 520,000 customers Carolinas customers already in Power Manager/EnergyWise Home

Electric customers 8.6 million Electric utility customers across six states

Generation capacity 55,100 megawatts Owned energy capacity across service territories

Gas customers 1.7 million Natural gas utility customers in five states

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 14 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Jan 14	Grid battery project	Positive	+1.1%	Brought 50‑MW battery storage online at former Allen coal plant.
Jan 08	Philanthropy grants	Positive	+1.0%	Launched America250 grant program over $1 million for nonprofits.
Jan 08	Earnings date notice	Neutral	+1.0%	Announced Feb. 10, 2026 fourth-quarter and year-end results timing.
Jan 07	Green hydrogen demo	Positive	-1.3%	Unveiled DeBary system producing, storing and combusting 100% green hydrogen.
Jan 06	Dividend declaration	Positive	+0.8%	Declared $1.065 per-share common dividend, extending 100-year dividend record.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent Duke Energy headlines, including grid batteries, green hydrogen and dividends, mostly saw modest positive price reactions, with one notable divergence on an innovation-focused announcement.

Recent Company History

Over the past weeks, Duke Energy announced several strategic and shareholder-focused developments. A 50‑MW battery system at the former Allen coal plant and plans for a 167‑MW BESS highlighted grid-scale storage growth. Duke Energy Florida unveiled a system capable of combusting 100% green hydrogen. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.065 per common share and scheduled its Feb. 10, 2026 earnings release. Today’s customer-facing energy‑savings programs fit into this broader reliability and transition narrative.

Key Terms

smart thermostat, time-of-use rates

2 terms

smart thermostat technical

"Enroll a qualifying smart thermostat and receive a $150 initial bill credit..."

A smart thermostat is a heating and cooling controller that connects to the internet and learns user preferences to automatically adjust temperature, can be controlled remotely by a phone, and often uses sensors and schedules to save energy. For investors it matters because these devices can reduce utility bills for consumers, create ongoing service or data revenue for makers, and act as an entry point into broader smart-home ecosystems that drive sales and customer loyalty.

time-of-use rates financial

"Flex Savings Option: Sign up for time-of-use rates and you could lower..."

Time-of-use rates are electricity prices that change depending on the time of day, charging more during peak demand hours and less during off-peak hours. For investors, these rates affect how much revenue utilities collect, the economics of energy storage and electric vehicles, and consumer behavior—think of it like surge pricing for electricity that shifts when and how much people and businesses choose to use power, which can change profitability and investment returns in the energy sector.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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•  Earn rewards and save: Get a $150 initial bill credit + $50 annually when you enroll a qualifying smart thermostat
•  Lower your rates: Sign up for the Flex Savings Option rate and lower your energy costs by shifting your energy use

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As a surge of winter cold sweeps in, Duke Energy is committed to helping customers manage energy costs during the coldest months of the year. Historically, January is the peak for energy use as heating systems work harder to keep homes comfortable. The colder it gets, the more energy is required – making now the perfect time to take action.

Easy-to-join programs and solutions that deliver real savings:

• Enroll a qualifying smart thermostat and receive a $150 initial bill credit plus $50 annually for helping reduce demand during peak times.
• EnergyWise^® Home for Duke Energy Progress customers
• Power Manager^® for Duke Energy Carolinas customers
• Flex Savings Option: Sign up for time-of-use rates and you could lower your energy costs by shifting energy use, giving you more control over your bill.

Combine these programs with winter energy-saving tips to maximize savings:

• Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.
• Seal leaks and insulate to keep warm air inside.
• Change air filters regularly for better efficiency.
• Let the sun help heat your home by opening blinds and curtains during the day and closing them at night.
• Operate ceiling fans clockwise to push warm air down.

Our perspective:
"We want customers to feel supported and confident about their energy choices this winter," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Programs like Power Manager, EnergyWise Home and Flex Savings Option, along with following simple energy-saving tips, make it easier to manage energy use and find ways to save."

Why it matters: As temperatures fall, heating systems must work longer to keep homes comfortable. This uses more energy. Join 520,000 customers in the Carolinas who are already earning bill credits and saving energy with Power Manager/EnergyWise Home.

For more information and to enroll, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

24-Hour: 800.559.3853 

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

How much credit does Duke Energy (DUK) offer for enrolling a qualifying smart thermostat?

Enroll a qualifying smart thermostat to receive a $150 initial bill credit plus $50 annually.

What is Duke Energy's Flex Savings Option and how can it lower my bill (DUK)?

Flex Savings Option is a time-of-use rate plan that can lower costs by shifting energy use to lower-priced periods.

How many customers are participating in Duke Energy's Power Manager/EnergyWise Home programs (DUK)?

About 520,000 customers in the Carolinas are enrolled in Power Manager/EnergyWise Home.

Where can Duke Energy customers (DUK) enroll in winter savings programs?

Customers can enroll and find details at duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Which Duke Energy programs help reduce peak heating energy use (DUK)?

Programs include Power Manager, EnergyWise Home, and the Flex Savings Option time-of-use rate.