Wayne County, N.C. — Hundreds of families across North Carolina are seeing lower energy bills and safer homes thanks to the Duke Income-Qualified Weatherization Program, a long-running initiative helping low-income customers make energy-efficient upgrades at no cost.
Launched in 2015 through a partnership with the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA), the program is designed to assist customers who struggle with high energy costs by offering vital home improvements. These include weather stripping, water heater replacements, LED lighting, broken window repairs, and even major health and safety fixes such as flooring and roofing.
To qualify, households must earn 200% or less of the federal poverty level, or be recipients of government assistance programs such as SNAP, WIC, or Social Security benefits. The program is open to both renters and homeowners, although landlord approval is required for any rental property upgrades.
“Our goal is to help customers better understand how they use energy in their homes and empower them to make long-term changes that reduce their electric bills,” a Duke Energy representative said. “This program provides permanent upgrades that can stabilize a home’s energy efficiency for 15 years or more.”
The program also provides education on energy-saving habits to help participants maintain lower energy use over time. This not only benefits families directly but helps reduce strain on the electric grid—lowering the need for expensive new power plants.
Managed locally by NCCAA, the program relies on a network of nonprofit partners who carry out the repairs and installations. In Wayne County, Duke Energy partners with WAGES (Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency) to deliver services.
Each project is fully insured and typically completed within 60 days of the home assessment. While the program is a one-time assistance, families may reapply for new upgrades after 15 years.
In 2024 alone, the program supported 447 households in Duke Energy’s Carolina service territory. Funding is bolstered by a $10 million shareholder donation, distributed over three years to ensure ongoing support for health and safety improvements.
For families living on the edge of affordability, this initiative offers more than home upgrades—it delivers long-term relief and energy independence.
