Duke To Install Home Upgrades in Lake Wales

Published: Friday, March 14, 2014 at 10:23 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, March 14, 2014 at 10:23 p.m.

LAKE WALES | Starting next week, more than 1,700 Lake Wales households will get free energy-saving upgrades.

On Tuesday, the James P. Austin Community Center at 315 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Lake Wales, will host the kickoff for Duke Energy's Neighborhood Energy Saver program.

The program, established in 2006, includes the free installation of up to 16 energy-saving improvements for the homes and apartments of qualified customers.

"Duke Energy approached us about this program, and we were very interested," said Kenneth Fields, city manager for Lake Wales. "It doesn't cost the city anything beyond providing a meeting space, and it helps our citizens."

The program benefits income-eligible customers living in select, census-defined communities.

"Duke Energy is deeply committed to the success of the communities we serve," said Jerry Miller, the company's community relations manager in Lake Wales, in a press release. "We're helping customers who need it the most take control of their energy costs by bringing this program right to their doorsteps."

Kristin Perry, a Duke Energy spokeswoman, said customers who were eligible for the program were notified weeks ago.

The community center kickoff on Tuesday, which will take place between 7 and 8:30 p.m., also will feature energy-saving tips from Duke Energy personnel for those eligible customers.

St. Petersburg-based Duke Energy has partnered with the city of Lake Wales, the Department of Economic Opportunity's Weatherization Assistance program, the Lake Wales Housing Authority, the Lake Wales Care Center, the Green and Gold Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development division on the program.

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Duke To Install Home Upgrades in Lake Wales