Duke Energy shares ways to save energy and money as temperatures plunge next week

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) urged customers on Dec. 12, 2025 to take immediate steps to cut energy use and lower bills as frigid temperatures arrive next week. The company highlighted simple actions—thermostat setback, sealing leaks, changing filters, using sun gain and reversing ceiling fans—to reduce heating costs.

Customer programs include free home energy assessments, Smart $aver rebates, Power Manager/EnergyWise bill credits, and income-qualified weatherization. Duke said participants in its efficiency programs have saved more than $1 billion since 2019. Visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings for details.

Positive

• Efficiency savings exceed $1 billion since 2019
• Customer reach of 8.6 million electric customers
• Owned capacity of 55,100 megawatts

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Customer bill savings More than $1 billion Savings from efficiency programs since 2019

Electric customers 8.6 million Electric utilities customer base across six states

Owned capacity 55,100 megawatts Total energy capacity owned by electric utilities

Natural gas customers 1.7 million Natural gas utilities customer base across five states

PremierNotes shelf size $4,000,000,000 Aggregate offering price under S-3ASR dated September 30, 2025

Market Reality Check

$114.39 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,990,752 is at 0.87x the 20-day average of 3,447,122 shares. normal

Technical Price 114.39 is trading below the 200-day MA at 120.48.

Peers on Argus

DUK was up 0.34% pre-news while key regulated electric peers showed mixed, mostly small moves (e.g., SO -0.19%, AEP -0.22%, D +0.28%, EXC -0.97%), suggesting stock-specific rather than broad sector momentum.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 04	Nuclear strategy update	Positive	-0.6%	Reaffirmed participation in DOE cost-share to support BWRX-300 SMR deployment.
Dec 02	Philanthropy initiative	Positive	-0.9%	Announced nearly $275,000 in microgrants as part of $600,000 anti-hunger campaign.
Nov 20	Rate plan filing	Positive	+0.2%	Filed multiyear rate plans seeking about $1.729B in annual revenue increases.
Nov 19	Leadership change	Neutral	-1.3%	Named new SVP supply chain and real estate, succeeding a long-tenured executive.
Nov 07	Customer tips outreach	Positive	-0.3%	Warned of coldest air of season and promoted energy-saving programs and tips.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive corporate and customer-focused news often coincided with mild negative price reactions, while rate case developments saw modest gains.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Duke Energy issued several news updates, including SMR collaboration support with a $400 million DOE grant to TVA on Dec. 4, 2025, philanthropy totaling over $600,000 to hunger-fighting organizations on Dec. 2, 2025, and a North Carolina multiyear rate plan seeking about $1.729 billion in annual revenue increases on Nov. 20, 2025. It also announced a supply chain leadership change and a prior cold-weather energy-savings advisory on Nov. 7, 2025. Today’s customer energy-efficiency guidance echoes that earlier cold-weather outreach.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-30

$4,000,000,000 registered capacity

An effective Form S-3ASR dated 2025-09-30 registers up to $4,000,000,000 of PremierNotes, giving Duke Energy pre-cleared capacity to issue unsecured floating rate demand notes with a maximum net aggregate principal amount outstanding of $2,000,000,000 at any time.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement centers on practical steps for customers to manage usage and bills as temperatures plunge, highlighting programs that have generated more than $1 billion in savings since 2019. It reiterates Duke Energy’s scale, serving 8.6 million electric and 1.7 million gas customers with 55,100 megawatts of capacity. Investors may track how such outreach supports customer relations alongside recent rate plan filings, grid investments, and the company’s broader energy transition strategy.

Key Terms

megawatts technical

"and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity."

A megawatt is a measure of electrical power equal to one million watts, describing how much electricity a plant or device can generate or use at a single moment. Investors use megawatts to compare the size and earning potential of energy projects—larger capacity usually means more electricity to sell—much like comparing the horsepower of engines to judge how much work they can do. Knowing megawatts helps assess scale, revenue potential, and grid impact of energy assets.

HVAC technical

"such as insulation, air sealing and HVAC repairs, to reduce bills"

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning — the systems that control temperature, airflow and indoor air quality in buildings. Investors care because HVAC drives operating costs, energy use, tenant comfort and regulatory compliance; like the engine and insulation of a building, efficient modern systems can lower bills, reduce repair and replacement spending, and preserve property value, while outdated units can create unexpected expenses and vacancy risk.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Customer tools and tips are available to manage energy use and bills as temperatures drop below seasonal norms

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With frigid temperatures forecast to arrive early next week, Duke Energy is committed to helping customers save energy and money as heating systems work harder to combat the cold. By acting now, customers can take more control of their energy use – even as temperatures drop well below freezing.

Simple actions, more savings

• Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. Every degree lower means more money in your pocket, without sacrificing comfort.
• Seal leaks and insulate. Prevent cold drafts and keep warmth inside – saving energy and reducing heating bills.
• Change air filters regularly. Clean filters improve airflow and system performance, reducing energy consumption and keeping your home more comfortable.
• Let the sun help heat your home. Open blinds and curtains on sunny days to naturally warm your space, and then close them at night to keep the heat in.
• Operate ceiling fans clockwise in winter. Push warm air down for greater comfort.

Programs that put customers first

Customers participating in Duke Energy's efficiency programs have seen more than $1 billion in bill savings since 2019, highlighting the meaningful impact participating in the programs and taking steps to become more energy efficient can have during colder months.

• Free home energy assessment: Get a complimentary energy efficiency kit, personalized usage report and expert recommendations – so you can start saving right away.
• Rebates for upgrades: Save on energy-efficient equipment and insulation upgrades through Smart $aver^®.
• Bill credits: Enroll your smart thermostat and water heater in Power Manager^®/EnergyWise^® Home and get paid for automatically shifting energy use to off-peak times.
• Income-qualified weatherization assistance: Income-qualified customers can get free energy upgrades, such as insulation, air sealing and HVAC repairs, to reduce bills and improve comfort year-round.

For even more ways to save, 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

What energy-saving tips did Duke Energy (DUK) share for the cold spell on Dec. 12, 2025?

Duke recommended lowering thermostats, sealing drafts, changing air filters, using sun gain, and running ceiling fans clockwise in winter.

How can Duke Energy customers enroll in Power Manager or EnergyWise for bill credits (DUK)?

Customers can enroll their smart thermostats and water heaters in Power Manager/EnergyWise to receive bill credits for shifting use to off-peak times.

What rebates and assistance does Duke Energy (DUK) offer for winter efficiency upgrades?

Duke offers Smart $aver rebates for equipment and insulation and income-qualified weatherization assistance including insulation, air sealing, and HVAC repairs.

How much have Duke Energy efficiency program participants saved (DUK) since 2019?

Participants have saved more than $1 billion in bills since 2019, according to the company.

Where can Duke Energy customers find seasonal savings resources (DUK)?

Customers can visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings for free assessments, rebate details, and weatherization information.