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High temperatures return to Indiana this week, and 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.

High temperatures mean higher energy use. This reminder comes as stretches of extreme heat this summer have driven higher electricity use. As an example, July’s hotter-than-normal weather drove higher cooling needs across Indiana.

Federal data shows “cooling degree days” in July were nearly 20 percent above normal, indicating air conditioners had to run more often and for longer periods to keep homes comfortable.

Cooling degree days are a measure of how much air conditioning is needed for a typical home. Higher cooling degree day totals generally mean hotter weather and greater cooling demand.

Duke Energy offers several tools that can help customers monitor and better understand their energy use. Usage Alerts help customers stay on top of their energy use by providing a text or email alert mid-way through their billing cycle showing how much electricity they have used so far, and a projected bill estimate if usage continues at the same rate through the end of their billing cycle.

By receiving this information before the billing cycle ends, customers have time to adjust their energy usage and potentially reduce costs before their bill arrives.

The Smart Usage Option can help customers save money by shifting some household tasks such as laundry or running a dishwasher to lower-cost times of day, when demand for power is lower.

Free home energy assessments provide expert advice and personalized recommendations to help customers use energy more efficiently and reduce energy costs.

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

• The shareholder-funded Summer Energy Assistance Credit Program, through which qualifying Duke Energy customers can receive up to a $250 account credit annually.
• Payment Assistance Finder, a free online tool that directs customers to local assistance resources in their area through a simple zip code search.
• Interest-free Installment payment plans for customers needing flexibility.
• The pick your due date tool that lets you choose what day you want your bill to be due each month.
• Customers can also request a due date extension to provide additional flexibility.
• Customers can learn more about tools, assistance programs, and other resources on Duke Energy’s Summer Energy Solutions webpage.

“Hot Indiana summers – particularly those that include stretches of extreme heat like we’re once again expecting this week – can have a significant impact on how much energy a household uses,” said Stan Pinegar, president, Duke Energy Indiana. “We’re here to help with tools that explain how weather and other factors can affect energy use while also connecting customers with assistance resources when they need support.”

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 930,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.