RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Some Duke Energy customers will see a lower electric bill as early as this month.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Duke Energy Progress’s request to reduce residential utility rates by 4.5% starting Dec. 1, Duke Energy said in a news release.

Each year, the North Carolina Utilities Commission reviews the cost of fuel used to generate electricity for customers, according to Duke Energy.

“Fuel costs, which are the costs we incur to purchase the fuel to generate the electricity you need, are called pass-through costs. We don’t make a profit on this, we just charge you for the cost of fuel, and we have seen a decrease in some of those fuel costs,” said Duke Energy’s Jeff Brooks.

In their press release, Duke Energy predicts that customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month will see a total decrease of $7.34, reducing their monthly bill from $161.97 to $154.63 . The reduction could save a customer about $235 per year.

BEFORE: Duke Energy announces rate increase in September and decrease in January

While this is good news, you should still be careful when turning up the heat in the winter.

“It really starts with your heating unit. Think about it. The heating unit is the largest energy consumer in your home, whether you use natural gas or electricity. This is the area you can save, and it starts with setting your thermostat. “Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting,” Brooks said.

He also suggests turning down the thermostat when everyone is out for a few hours and opening the blinds when the sun is shining to let in some warmth.

Commercial users of Duke Energy Progress will also benefit from a rate reduction that amounts to 6.3%. Industrial users will see an average decline of less than 0.1%.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission has approved a rate reduction for Duke Energy Carolinas that will take effect January 1, 2025.

Duke Energy said that with typical usage of 1,000 kilowatt hours per month, its Carolinas customers will see a decrease of about 3.6% from their current rates – saving customers about $5.17 per month.

Duke Energy Progress serves approximately 1.7 million residential, commercial and industrial customers in central and eastern NC and northern South Carolina.

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