Duke Energy outlines Smart Saver rebates, vetted contractor referral service for Carmel residents

Duke Energy representatives described residential rebates for home-efficiency upgrades and a vetted contractor referral service to Carmel-area residents at a neighborhood meeting.

The utility’s Indiana program manager, Chrissy Thompson, said the Smart Saver program offers rebates for efficient HVAC systems, insulation and air sealing, pool pumps and heat-pump water heaters, and that Duke will help connect customers to vetted contractors through FindItDuke.com.

“At Duke Energy, we're building a smarter energy future,” Thompson said. She explained the referral service presents up to four contractor profiles, requires contractors to meet licensing and insurance minimums, and allows customers to see ratings and recent inspection dates. Contractors in the network can submit rebate applications on a customer’s behalf, Thompson said.

Rebate examples discussed at the meeting included incentives ranging from about $200 to $865 for central air and heat-pump equipment; a $250 rebate for attic insulation and air sealing if existing insulation is R‑19 or below and the home improves to R‑30 or greater (and air leakage is reduced at least 5%); a $300 rebate for Energy Star variable-speed pool pumps for in-ground pools; and a $350 rebate for Energy Star heat-pump water heaters with a uniform energy factor (UEF) of 3.3 or greater. Thompson said customers typically receive a prepaid physical or digital Mastercard when a rebate is issued.

Joe Fawcett, a Duke specialist present at the meeting, described contractor vetting and inspection follow-up: contractors must meet insurance and background-check requirements, and Duke conducts inspections and will require contractors to correct work if it fails inspection. Fawcett also said homeowners can submit some rebates directly (pool pumps and heat-pump water heaters) without a contractor.

Attendees asked about solar interconnection, batteries and whole‑house generators; Duke staff said FindItDuke can connect residents with contractors and that battery installation remains an active market issue. Thompson said Duke serves about 1,600,000 customers in the Midwest and urged residents to use the referral and inspection services to reduce risks when hiring contractors.

Duke left printed materials and QR codes for FindItDuke at the meeting and representatives offered follow-up contact information for residents seeking referrals or program details.