CINCINNATI, April 3, 2012 -- Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) is mailing reports to 240,000 residential customers in Ohio showing them how their personal energy usage compares with customers who live in similar homes in their areas.

"We know neighbors talk and compare their bills," said Mark Wyatt, Duke Energy vice president of retail customer products and services. "By showing customers how their actual energy usage compares to their neighbors, we believe they'll make changes to be more efficient and, most importantly, save money."

The "My Home Energy Report" is a customized, paper-based energy usage report sent via U.S. mail to eligible residential customers in Ohio. The report groups homes of similar size, age and location (based on publicly available tax records) and compares the customer's usage to the average home and efficient homes within the group. The report also includes tips and other recommendations for reducing energy usage.

According to Wyatt, Duke Energy has been testing this program in Ohio for more than a year with randomly selected customers. Duke Energy customers who use the information to make changes to their energy usage are saving an average of 2 percent or $20 on their annual energy costs.

Duke Energy residential customers in Ohio who live in single-family homes with one electric meter, have at least 12 months of energy usage history, and are not currently participating in fixed pricing plans are considered eligible and should receive their reports over the next three weeks.

Ohio customers who do not receive the report and Duke Energy customers in Kentucky, where the program has yet to be approved by state regulators, are encouraged to use the company's Online Services program, where they will find their usage information and money-saving tips.

Additionally, the company offers a social media site -- www.duke-energy.com/youtility -- where customers will find energy-saving tips, blogs and video, and can talk with each other about their personal energy-saving experiences. 

"My Home Energy Report is just one of the tools within Duke Energy's suite of energy efficiency offers that helps customers manage their energy use," said Wyatt. "By encouraging our customers to take control of their energy habits, we are creating sustained energy savings that can then be counted on when we consider options for meeting future energy demand."

Duke Energy Ohio's operations provide electric service to approximately 690,000 customers and natural gas service to approximately 400,000 customers. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.