Duke Energy increases financial incentives for customer energy efficiency and demand response programs in South Carolina

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK) has significantly enhanced its energy efficiency and demand response program incentives in South Carolina, with some incentives doubling or tripling in value. The updated programs, approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, launched on August 1, 2025.

Key improvements include expanded residential benefits such as free home energy assessments with complimentary efficiency products, increased home improvement rebates through Smart $aver®, and higher bill credits for Power Manager® and EnergyWise Home® participants. Business customers will benefit from 20-25% higher efficiency program incentives and increased PowerShare® capacity credits from $3.50 to $5 per kW.

Positive

• Some program incentives have doubled or tripled in value
• Business program incentives increased by 20-25% on average
• PowerShare capacity credits increased from $3.50 to $5 per kW
• Expanded assistance programs for qualifying customers
• Free energy efficiency products now included in home assessments

Negative

• None.

• Growing menu of options offers customers more savings and better control over how they use their energy
• Some incentives have doubled or even tripled

GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy has increased incentives and eligibility for many of its residential and business energy efficiency and demand response programs in South Carolina, expanding ways customers can save energy and money. The updates were approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) and launched on Aug. 1, 2025. 

"Some of our program incentives have doubled – or even tripled – making now an even more rewarding time to make energy efficiency improvements or enroll in programs at your home or business to help save," said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy's South Carolina president. "With the recent enactment of the S.C. Energy Security act, our state's leaders have also signaled the importance of these types of programs and offered a roadmap for us to potentially expand similar offerings in the future."

Enhancements for residential customers

Why it matters: Customers can better manage their energy use and save energy and money with energy efficiency programs. Through demand response programs, customers can receive bill credits when they choose to shift their use to lower energy demand periods.  

• Free home energy assessment: Now includes customized free energy efficiency products like smart power strips, efficient showerheads and caulking, installed during the Home Energy House Call.
• Home improvement rebates: Expanded rebates for various energy-efficient upgrades, including insulation, water heaters and smart thermostats through Smart $aver®.
• Earn bill credits: Increased bill credits for shifting energy use, with new incentives for electric water heater owners through Power Manager® and EnergyWise Home®.

For more information on all residential programs, visit the Duke Energy website.

Business customer benefits

Increased incentives: Duke Energy has also increased energy efficiency and demand response incentives for business customers.

• PowerShare®, a voluntary large customer load curtailment program, has increased capacity credits from $3.50 to $5 per kW for decreasing energy use in certain program options.
• EnergyWise Business, a program similar to PowerShare and EnergyWise Home but for business customers, has increased customer incentives.

Additionally, many of the company's energy efficiency business program incentive amounts have increased on average 20%-25%. For more information on business programs and increased incentives, visit duke-energy.com/GetSavings. 

Assistance programs

Expanded offerings: Programs and services for Duke Energy qualifying customers have also been updated for 2025 to offer more options for energy savings for those who need it most. 

• Customers struggling to pay their energy bills might qualify for assistance from various government and nonprofit programs for utility bills and other household expenses.
• Duke Energy offers programs and resources to help customers manage their usage as well as flexible payment arrangements to help customers experiencing uncertainty, to include flexible payment options including the Share the Light Fund^®, a Duke Energy program that provides energy assistance.

To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SummerSavings.

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 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 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 clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.  

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

What changes did Duke Energy announce to its South Carolina energy efficiency programs in 2025?

Duke Energy announced significant increases to its energy efficiency and demand response program incentives in South Carolina, with some incentives doubling or tripling in value, effective August 1, 2025.

How much did Duke Energy increase its business program incentives in South Carolina?

Duke Energy increased business energy efficiency program incentives by 20-25% on average, and PowerShare capacity credits increased from $3.50 to $5 per kW.

What new benefits are available for Duke Energy residential customers in South Carolina?

Residential customers now receive free energy efficiency products during Home Energy House Call, expanded rebates for energy-efficient upgrades through Smart $aver®, and increased bill credits for Power Manager® and EnergyWise Home® participants.

How can Duke Energy customers in South Carolina qualify for energy assistance programs?

Qualifying customers can access various government and nonprofit assistance programs, flexible payment arrangements, and the Share the Light Fund® to help manage their energy bills.

What is included in Duke Energy's free home energy assessment?

The free Home Energy House Call now includes installation of customized energy efficiency products such as smart power strips, efficient showerheads, and caulking.