NOAA confirms hottest month on record across the contiguous U.S.

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Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is highlighting digital tools and assistance programs to help customers in North Carolina and South Carolina manage higher summer power bills as heat persists. The initiative follows NOAA data indicating July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded across the contiguous U.S.

Customers can use Bill Insights in the Duke Energy app, Usage Alerts and Home Energy Reports to monitor and understand energy use and projected bills. According to Duke Energy, partnerships with community organizations have delivered more than $31 million in bill-payment assistance over the past decade through programs such as Share the Light Fund and Share the Warmth.

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• Customers can access tools to track energy use and find assistance resources

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As high temperatures continue across much of North Carolina and South Carolina, Duke Energy is reminding customers about tools that can help them stay informed about their energy use and connect them with assistance programs if they need help.

The reminder comes as federal climate data shows July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded across the contiguous United States, according to NOAA.

"Summer weather can have a significant impact on how much energy a household uses," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "We're helping customers stay informed with tools that explain how weather and other factors can affect energy use, while also connecting customers with assistance resources when they need support."

Tools that help customers stay informed

Duke Energy offers several tools that can help customers monitor and better understand their energy use.

Bill Insights in the Duke Energy app helps explain factors that may be affecting energy use and monthly bills, including weather and other changes that can influence energy use.

Usage Alerts help customers track energy use during their billing cycle and provide projected energy use and estimated bill information before the bill arrives. This gives customers time to make adjustments to help reduce energy use before the bill arrives.

Home Energy Reports compare a home's energy use with similar homes and offer tips that can help customers better understand energy use at home.

Help is available

Customers who need help paying their bill are encouraged to contact Duke Energy to learn about payment arrangements and assistance programs.

Resources include:

Payment Assistance Finder, an online tool that helps customers find local agencies and nonprofit organizations that may be able to help. Through partnerships with community organizations across North Carolina, programs such as Share the Light Fund^® and Share the Warmth have distributed more than $31 million over the past decade to support customers facing financial hardship.

Share the Light Fund^®, which provides bill-payment assistance for eligible customers experiencing financial hardship.

Payment arrangements and installment plans for eligible customers who need additional flexibility.

Customers can learn more about tools, assistance programs and other resources on Duke Energy's Summer Energy Solutions webpage.

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 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities. 

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

 

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

How is Duke Energy (DUK) helping customers manage higher energy bills during the July 2026 heat wave?

Duke Energy is promoting tools and assistance programs to help customers monitor usage and manage bills. According to Duke Energy, options include Bill Insights, Usage Alerts, Home Energy Reports, payment arrangements and access to local agency support via its Payment Assistance Finder.

What energy usage tools does Duke Energy (DUK) offer residential customers in 2026?

Duke Energy offers Bill Insights, Usage Alerts and Home Energy Reports to help customers track and understand energy use. According to Duke Energy, these tools provide usage trends, estimated bills and comparisons to similar homes so customers can adjust behavior before bills arrive.

What is Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund and how much assistance has it provided?

Share the Light Fund provides bill-payment assistance for eligible customers experiencing financial hardship. According to Duke Energy, partnerships with community organizations, including Share the Light Fund and Share the Warmth, have distributed more than $31 million over the past decade in customer support.

How can Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) customers find bill payment assistance programs in North and South Carolina?

Customers can use Duke Energy’s online Payment Assistance Finder to locate local agencies and nonprofits that may help. According to Duke Energy, the tool connects customers to community partners offering programs like Share the Light Fund and Share the Warmth.

Why is Duke Energy emphasizing energy management tools after July 2026, according to NOAA data?

Duke Energy’s reminder follows NOAA data showing July 2026 was the hottest month ever across the contiguous U.S. According to Duke Energy, extreme summer weather can significantly affect household energy use, so it is encouraging use of monitoring tools and assistance resources.

How many customers and how much capacity does Duke Energy (DUK) operate in the United States?

Duke Energy’s electric utilities serve about 8.7 million customers and own 55,700 megawatts of capacity. According to Duke Energy, its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.