Duke Energy Warns of Deep Freeze in Carolinas and Florida, Urges Preparation and Cost‑Saving Steps

Overview

• Duke Energy says a winter storm will bring widespread snow, gusty winds and lingering frigid temperatures to parts of the Carolinas this weekend, with cold expected into early next week.
• Company meteorologists expect Florida to see temperatures 20–25 degrees below normal this weekend, with some areas facing the coldest readings in nearly a decade and St. Petersburg possibly dipping below freezing for the first time since 2018.
• The utility highlights demand‑response and rate options, including up to $141 in annual credits through EnergyWise Home, time‑of‑use pricing, and a smart‑thermostat incentive of a $150 bill credit plus $50 annually for brief peak‑time adjustments.
• Customers are urged to cut usage with simple steps such as lowering thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting, changing air filters, sealing leaks, setting ceiling fans clockwise, and using blinds to capture daytime sun; usage alerts can help track consumption before bills arrive.
• Duke Energy advises preparing for potential outages and difficult travel during high winds, noting safety limits on bucket‑truck work above 30 mph, and directs customers to its app, outage alerts and reporting tools for restoration updates.