Energy.gov

Duke Energy encourages residential customers to buy energy-efficient homes through its [http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index Energy Star Homes Program], which awards a rate discount to customers living in Energy Star homes. To earn the Energy Star label, homes are tested by a third-party inspector to ensure they meet the U.S. Department of Energy's criteria. Generally speaking, a home must be at least 30% more efficient than the national Model Energy Code for homes or 15% more efficient than the state energy code, whichever is more rigorous. The home test is the responsibility of the customer and/or the builder, and certification costs $300 to $500. The size of the home and the inspector’s travel time may affect the cost. Typical characteristics of an Energy Star home include:

* Effective insulation
* High-performance windows
* Tight construction and tight ducts
* Energy-efficient HVAC equipment
* Independent testing provided by third-party inspectors

Please refer to rate schedule [www.duke-energy.com/pdfs/SCScheduleES.pdf Schedule ES] for more information.