Duke Energy urges Florida customers to reduce electric usage

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As Florida continues to experience the coldest air in the state since 2018, Duke Energy is asking all customers to voluntarily reduce their energy use from 5 to 9 a.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.

This is due to extremely cold temperatures that are driving unusually high demand for electricity across the southeast. It is meant to help protect the grid and keep electricity flowing for as many customers as possible.

Below are ways customers can lower their energy use:

• Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. The closer you match your thermostat to outdoor temperatures, the less energy you use.
• Avoid using appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers between 5 and 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026.
• Turn off any unnecessary devices, unused plug-ins and lights.
• Electric vehicles owners: charge midday when demand is lower.

"We know power is an essential part of our customers' everyday lives, and we recognize that reducing electricity usage isn't an easy ask," said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. "We appreciate our customers' cooperation and understanding as we work to continue providing safe, reliable service for our more than 2 million customers during this cold spell."

Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida. 

Duke Energy 
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

Contact: Ana Gibbs
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Cell: 813.928.7263

SOURCE Duke Energy