Energy Efficiency Frequently Asked Questions

As the demand for energy grows, we believe part of the solution includes helping our customers use energy more efficiently through our cost-effective energy efficiency programs.

Duke Energy’s Energy Efficiency Plan represents the best way to achieve energy efficiency in South Carolina. It encourages additional investments in cost-effective energy efficiency programs. The plan also supports the development of programs to assist our customers in reducing energy consumption and lowering their cost of doing business.

The cost of these programs will be shared among our customers through the cost recovery rider (Rider EE).

Active program participation can produce savings that outweigh the rider costs. Future costs are influenced by a number of variables including the number of participants, the incentives paid and the amount of energy saved. See Rider EE for actual costs.

Customers must notify Duke Energy of their request to opt in the energy efficiency program by providing a list of the specific customer account numbers.

Pursuant to the order approved by the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, industrial accounts under rate schedules I, OPT, HP, PG, MP, GB and IT may elect to opt out of participating in the programs and avoid paying the charges if, at their own expense, they have performed an energy audit or analysis within the three-year period preceding the opt-out request, and have implemented or have plans for implementing the cost-effective energy efficiency measures recommended in that audit or analysis.

Qualifying customers must notify Duke Energy of their request to opt out of participating in either the energy efficiency and/or demand response programs by providing a list of the specific eligible customer account numbers they wish to opt out. For energy efficiency, the request must state that the account(s), at their own expense, have gone through an energy audit or analysis within three years preceding the opt-out request and have implemented or plan to implement energy efficiency measures recommended in that audit or analysis. Customers may also opt out of the demand side management portion of the EE Rider. New customers who are eligible may request to opt out of the demand response program within 60 days of beginning service.

Election to participate in our Energy Efficiency or Demand-Side Management (DSM) programs is done on an annual basis. The opt-out enrollment period for our energy efficiency or DSM programs occurs once annually from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. If no decision is made in the following years, the current participation decision will be the default, without customer notification.

Yes, you can opt out by account providing that you meet the eligibility and rate schedule requirements. Only accounts on rate schedules I, OPT, HP, PG, MP, GB and IT are eligible.

Opt-in and opt out provision forms are provided for your convenience on this website. You may attach the completed form to an e-mail and send to BusinessServiceCenter@duke-energy.com or print the form and mail to:

Duke Energy
Customer Account Services/EC2ZA
526 South Church St.
Charlotte, NC 28202-1904

If mailing, the form should be signed by a person in your company who has the authority to execute contracts.

The signed and completed form should be mailed to Duke Energy before the end of the enrollment period to ensure we will have adequate time to verify our records and properly update your account. The enrollment period to opt in or opt out is 60 days and is typically offered once each year.

Customers electing to opt in/out will receive a written confirmation once the change has been made in Duke Energy’s billing system.

No, Duke Energy will provide an annual report to the PSCSC listing all customers who have elected to opt out of our programs.

If you have additional questions, please contact your Duke Energy Account Manager or Customer Account Services at BusinessServiceCenter@duke-energy.com.