Duke Energy urges customers to cut back usage after winter storm

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- After several days of temperatures about 10 to 20 degrees cooler than usual, Duke Energy customers are being asked to conserve energy to protect the utility company's power grid.

The request comes as extremely cold temperatures are resulting in higher demand, which in turn can put a strain on limited power resources.

"We've actually done a lot of steps on our end to make sure a lot more available power is online and serving our customers," said Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks.

In messaging to customers, the company requested consumers to conserve energy between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Monday.

"That's just a way we can help share energy with all our customers so we can keep our system reliable," said Brooks. "It will also help customers reduce their energy costs during a time when demand is going to be very high."

Here are several tips and best practices that were sent to customers to aid in preserving power.

• Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting and put on additional clothing layers.
• Electric space heaters may provide comfort, but use a lot of energy. Avoid their use until temperatures rise.
• Avoid using your electric washer/dryer and dishwasher during winter's high-demand hours in the morning.
• Open blinds and curtains during daylight hours to help warm your home naturally.
• Avoid using an electric oven and/or stovetop during periods of peak demand.
• Turn off any unnecessary appliances and lights.
• Avoid charging electronics in the morning. For those with electric vehicles, charge midday when demand is lower.

"I was pondering that," said customer Mike Roebuck of the request. "But, we'll do our best to turn off our electric lights and make sure that only the heater is running."

Brooks added, "Every little thing can help. And what we're really trying to do is make sure we can keep the grid reliable and avoid any other steps we may have to take by using these conservation methods."

Should resources become severely strained, Brooks said rolling temporary outages could take place to preserve the grid. Although the first and only time that was done was during a winter storm in December 2022.

"That would not be good," said Roebuck. "It would make going to work a lot harder."

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