Frequently Asked Questions
When there is an especially high energy demand, such as peak usage on select summer days or early morning on the coldest winter days, this is a conservation period. On those days, we may need to curtail energy usage. In any given year, we cannot predict how many conservation periods we will have. But we know that these periods will last no longer than four hours, and you are free to opt out of two periods per season.
Summer Option: On those summer days, we send a signal to your thermostat to lower your central air conditioner's energy usage for a few hours. This flexibility gives us resource options to balance energy supply and demand. Once you join EnergyWise Business, should a peak usage day happen, we will reduce your AC's operation by the level you choose, either 30%, 50% or 75%. The higher the amount you choose to reduce, the more incentives you will receive.
Most businesses report that they don't notice when their air conditioner's energy use has been reduced. Learn more about how the portal, the thermostat and the switch work. (link to EWB program)
Winter Option: On those coldest winter days, we send you or your equipment communications to reduce usage for a few hours. This flexibility gives us resource options to balance energy supply and demand. The compensation will be $30 per average kW reduced across the event season between your actual demand and the facility baseline demand. Customers will receive a check for the incentive by mail at the end of the season.
The facility baseline demand profile will be calculated using five representative days from the 10 days prior to the event, excluding weekends, holidays or other event days. The baseline can be weather adjusted if the program determines the facility demand is weather-sensitive or if the event day is not consistent with the baseline demand profile.
Summer Option:
- Must be a nonresidential Duke Energy electric customer.
- Must have a readily available, password-protected Wi-Fi for the thermostat option.
- If you lease your facility, you can enroll in EnergyWise Business, but the property owner may need to sign a Tenant Agreement Form agreeing to enrollment. Please check your lease to determine if you need a signed form to enroll.
Winter Option:
- Must be a non-residential Duke Energy electric customer on an eligible rate and NOT participating in another demand response program.
- Must be willing to curtail load in response to a communication via email or text either manually or through an automatic connection to the control system.
EnergyWise Business is a new, voluntary program designed for our small commercial customers to help reduce heavy power use during unusually high energy demand times in summer or winter.
As the Carolinas continue to grow with more homes and businesses, the demand for energy increases, straining existing supply. EnergyWise Business works to relieve that strain when regional usage is at its highest.
Summer Option: When you enroll in the Summer Option, Duke Energy will arrange for an approved contractor − at no cost to you − to install a smart Wi-Fi programmable thermostat with a secure internet portal.
These devices allow us to temporarily reduce energy consumption during those unusually high energy demand times by sending a signal to cycle off and on the power to your central air conditioner compressor or electric heat pump. The process is automatic and requires no effort from you.Also, because we understand business operations vary, the program allows you to override two events per season.
Winter Option: When you enroll in the Winter Option, you will be able to choose how you want to participate within EnergyWise Business to reduce your energy usage during those times of unusually high energy demand. You can connect your equipment to receive a signal from our control system or receive communications and make manual adjustments to your operations.
Events will not exceed a total of 40 hours for any season.Summer Option: If you are a Duke Energy small commercial customer in North Carolina or South Carolina with one or more central air conditioning units or heat pumps, you are eligible to participate.
Due to thermostat compatibility issues, facilities with direct digital control or multiple thermostat systems are not eligible to participate. Facilities with only window or room air conditioners or heated solely by strip heating are not eligible to participate.
Winter Option: If you are a Duke Energy commercial customer in North Carolina or South Carolina with a flexible load you can reduce during periods of unusually high usage, you are eligible.
What is cycling?
Each HVAC unit has a normal on and off pattern to maintain the indoor air temperature at the temperature setting on the thermostat. The thermostat has a preprogrammed window of a few degrees above and below the setting where the temperature remains while the unit is working correctly. The amount of time the unit is on and off is the normal cycling.
During an energy conservation event, the program looks at the HVAC’s cycling from the previous hour and reduces the on time of the HVAC unit by 30%, 50% or 75%. The cycling level selected will be applied to all participating HVAC units at your facility.
How do I choose?
To choose the appropriate cycling level, you need to determine the temperature sensitivity of your operation and facility over the two- to four-hour energy conservation event. If your operation and facility can only stand a slight temperature rise, the 30% cycling level may be right for you. But, if the facility can withstand a temporary rise in temperature, a more aggressive 50% or 75% cycling level will allow you to earn a higher incentive.
Summer Option
30% cycling − Your compressor operates during 70% of the conservation period. Most participants won't notice their participation in a conservation period. For your participation (May through September), you receive $50 per load control device.
50% cycling − Your compressor operates during 50% of the conservation period. Participants are likely to experience a slight increase in temperature during a typical conservation period. For your participation (May through September), you receive $85 per load control device.
75% cycling − Your compressor operates during 25% of the conservation period. Participants can expect to notice some rise in temperature during a typical conservation period. For your participation (May through September), you receive $135 per load control device.What options and incentives do I get for participating in the Summer Option?
In addition to your choice of energy-saving device − either a smart web-programmable thermostat and secure internet portal or an outdoor switch − you have a choice of cycling options.
What options and incentives do I get for participating in the Winter Option?
With the Winter Option, you may choose how your equipment participates. We send you equipment communications to reduce usage for a few hours. For your participation, you will receive an incentive of $30 per average kW reduced across the event season. Customers will receive a check for the incentive by mail at the end of the season.
Will it cost me anything to participate?
No. Participation is free, and there are no installation or maintenance charges. In cases of issues or questions, 24/7 customer support, which may even include a site visit from one of our technicians, is also provided at no cost.
When will I see the EnergyWise Business Credit?
Summer Option – You will receive an annual bill credit for each participating EnergyWise Business device installed at your facility per the cycling level chosen at enrollment. You will receive your first credit on your bill within one to two billing cycles after installation and testing of the EnergyWise Business device at your facility. Each year you participate, you will receive an annual credit on the anniversary date of the first credit issued.
Winter Option – You will receive your credit via check during May of each year after the winter load control season
Do I get more incentives if I sign up more than one air conditioner?
Yes. You will receive one bill credit for each EnergyWise Business device installed at your facility based on the chosen cycling level. If your facility has more than one air conditioning unit, all units used for human comfort must be enrolled in the program to receive the bill credits.
If after joining I have a new central air conditioning system or heat pump installed at my facility, what should I do?
Upon installation of your new equipment, please call us at 866.821.8423. We will arrange to have your EnergyWise Business technology reconfigured for your new air conditioner or heat pump. There is no charge for this service.
Will EnergyWise Business reduce my facility's electric bill?
EnergyWise Business conservation events shift energy consumption from periods of highest demand to a different time of the day. You should not see your regular energy bill change from the events.
Most importantly, EnergyWise Business will help keep power costs lower in the future by helping to reduce the need for new peaking power plants.
Will interrupting my air conditioner cause it to run longer once it comes back, thus increasing my electric bill?
No, you should not see an increase in your electric bill. Overall, the air conditioner should run about the same amount of time, so your bill should remain the same.
Can I really make a difference by participating?
Yes. EnergyWise Business is an excellent example of how everyone can help create a cleaner, more reliable energy future for us all. Its success depends on the participation of many individual businesses. But when combined, the impact is greater than the sum of its parts.
How do I override a conservation event?
Summer Option
You may select up to two days per summer season to override the cycling of your facility’s air conditioning system or heat pump. You can do this by (a) calling ahead to request a day that you know cycling your air conditioner would be inconvenient or (b) calling during the cycling event to return the compressor to its normal run. The phone number to call to request an override is 866.821.8423.
Remember, cycling only affects the air conditioner’s compressor; the fan will continue to run normally.
If you make more than two requests in one season, you will forfeit your next annual bill credit.
Winter Option
There is no override capability needed. For the manual option, you choose whether or not to participate with your equipment. For the automated option, you choose how your equipment responds to the signal.
If I am un-enrolled in EnergyWise Business, can I re-enroll?
You can re-enroll after 12 months of being off the program.
Can I participate in EnergyWise Business if I purchase electricity from another supplier?
No, you must be a Duke Energy electric retail customer.
Can I participate if I lease my facility?
Yes. If you lease your facility, you can enroll in EnergyWise Business, but the property owner may need to sign a Tenant Authorization Form agreeing to enrollment. Please check your lease to determine if you need a signed form to enroll.
I manage the business, but I don't own it. Can I enroll the facility in the program?
If you are authorized on the account, you may arrange the enrollment.
I own the property but lease it. Can I enroll it in the program?
As the property owner, you can agree to have the EnergyWise Business device installed at your property, but your tenant(s) must separately enroll in EnergyWise Business before installation.
I have two central air conditioning units. Can I enroll just one of them?
No. To participate in EnergyWise Business, the facility must enroll all air conditioning units used for human comfort and at the same cycling level.
What happens if I want to discontinue my participation in the program?
Simply call 866.821.8423 to speak with an EnergyWise Business representative.
Whom do I contact if I have questions or problems?
Call the EnergyWise Business call center at 866.821.8423 or email EnergyWiseBusiness@duke-energy.com with your questions.
What is a smart web-programmable thermostat?
A smart web-programmable thermostat is a digital thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature settings of your facility from a smartphone, tablet or computer using the internet based on a preset schedule that you choose. You can also adjust the thermostat’s temperature manually.
During peak electricity demand times, your EnergyWise Business smart web-programmable thermostat will receive a signal to initiate a conservation period. The signal operates on a unique frequency and will not interfere with any other wireless devices in your facility.
How can I save energy with my web-programmable thermostat?
You can save energy by setting your thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter and to a higher temperature in the summer. The web-programmable feature allows you to make the adjustments anytime from anywhere.
How can I program my smart thermostat through the internet?
Participants in EnergyWise Business will be able to access the settings on their thermostat through the web-based program portal, either from a computer or mobile device. The thermostat is a two-way communicating device, so any changes made on the thermostat are reflected in the portal and vice versa.
How do I access the EnergyWise Business portal on my smartphone, tablet or computer?
The EnergyWise Business portal is not an app found in an app store. It is a web-based portal you can save to your smartphone, tablet or computer. To access it, simply click here. Then, with whatever device you use, you can either add the URL as your home page or save the webpage as a bookmark for future reference. If additional assistance is needed, call us toll-free at 866.821.8423 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For customers who have Honeywell, ecobee or Emerson devices the thermostat manufacturers have apps available on Apple and Google stores.
Can I change my customized settings on my facility's web-programmable thermostat?
While you can temporarily adjust your temperature settings up and down on your thermostat itself, the more advanced customized settings, such as Vacation and Away modes, are available to you only online through your computer or mobile device. For example, with the Vacation mode setting, you can set a specific departure and return date along with a desired temperature to coincide with the days and time you are on vacation. Similarly, with the Away feature, if you plan to be away from your facility for more than just a couple hours, you can adjust your temperature automatically to save energy while you are gone.
What is cycling?
Each HVAC unit has a normal on and off pattern to maintain the indoor air temperature at the set point temperature on the thermostat. The thermostat has a preprogrammed window of a few degrees above and below the setting where the temperature remains while the unit is working correctly. The amount of time the unit is on and off is the normal cycling.
During an energy conservation event, the program looks at the HVAC’s cycling from the previous hour and reduces the on time of the HVAC unit by 30%, 50% or 75%. The cycling level selected will be applied to all participating HVAC units at your facility.
How do I choose?
To choose the appropriate cycling level, you need to determine the temperature sensitivity of your operation and facility over the two- to four-hour energy conservation event. If your operation and facility can only stand a slight temperature rise, the 30% cycling level may be right for you, but if the facility can withstand a temporary rise in temperature, a more aggressive 50% or 75% cycling level will allow you to earn a higher incentive.
Each cycling level has two options, Summer and Year-Round. Summer is for AC systems, heat pump systems with natural gas backup or customers who only want to participate in the summer. Any heat pumps with supplemental electric resistance heat (all electric heat pumps) can receive an additional $25 by participating in winter energy conservation events by selecting the Year-Round option.
Summer cycling level
30% cycling − Your compressor operates during 70% of the conservation period. Most participants won't notice their participation in a conservation period. For your participation (May through September), you receive $50 per load control device.
50% cycling − Your compressor operates during 50% of the conservation period. Participants are likely to experience a slight increase in temperature during a typical conservation period. For your participation (May through September), you receive $85 per load control device.
75% cycling − Your compressor operates during 25% of the conservation period. Participants can expect to notice some rise in temperature during a typical conservation period. For your participation (May through September), you receive $135 per load control device.
Once you enroll, you may not change your cycling level until after 12 months of participation.
Winter control option
Summer EnergyWise Business participants who choose to have a smart web-programmable thermostat installed and who have electric heat pumps with electric resistance heating elements may elect to also participate in the winter program (November through March).
Should an energy need arise, electric resistance heating elements will be controlled during the conservation period for up to four hours on weekdays, not on weekends or holidays, except in the event of a system emergency. The heat pump compressor will not be interrupted.
Cycling will not exceed a total of 40 hours for any winter season.
For your winter participation, you receive $25 per thermostat each season you participate.
What is peak electric demand?
Demand is the amount of electricity needed at any given time. Power usage fluctuates due to weather conditions and industrial, commercial and residential electricity usage. When electricity demand is at its highest, it's called peak demand. In our area, peak demand is most likely to occur on the hottest summer afternoons and coldest winter mornings.