Duke Energy House Power Panel Program

Overview

In the early 1960s, Duke Power (now Duke Energy) launched the "Gold Medallion Home Program," offering residential customers an incentive to build all-electric homes. In exchange, Duke Power would install, own and maintain a house power panel (HPP) to serve as the home's main breaker box.

HPPs were widely available throughout the program's duration (1960-1974), but replacement parts have become increasingly scarce, and in many cases, the entire breaker box needs to be replaced. Although we have continued to maintain these breaker boxes over the years, not all remaining HPPs are Duke Energy property.

The proactive replacement program for Duke Energy-owned HPPs ended in 2023, but you may still call 800.777.9898 to determine appropriate next steps for your HPP equipment.

What to expect

A member of our customer care team will contact you to verify specific details about your home and then schedule a site visit. The field engineer will inspect the HPP to determine if it is Duke Energy property and then take pictures of the panel and surroundings in order to facilitate replacement if the panel qualifies to be replaced.

If the panel is Duke Energy property and qualifies for replacement:

• The field engineer will organize an electrician to replace the panel at no charge to the customer. The installation will require a temporary power interruption (approximately 3-4 hours). If circuit verification is needed to complete the installation, the technician will notify you.
• After the new HPP has been installed, the county or municipal electrical inspector will review the completed work, and a final inspection will be issued. Please note that your panel will not pass final inspection unless the circuits are labeled, the panel is accessible to the inspector, and the yellow tape marking the ground rods is visible. The yellow caution tape may be removed once the inspection is complete.

If your panel is Duke Energy property but does not qualify for replacement:

• The field engineer will inform you of building code-related issues that have occurred since the panel’s installation, as well as any available remedies. Once code issues are resolved, Duke Energy can then arrange for the panel replacement. Should you choose not to remediate any required code violations, no further action will be taken, and the panel will not be replaced.

If it is determined that your equipment is not a Duke Energy-maintained HPP:

• No further action is needed.