HEAT YOUR HOME FOR THE EQUIVALENT OF PAYING $1.09 PER GALLON FOR PROPANE

That’s right - you can heat your home for the equivalent of about $1.09 per gallon of propane. That is because any of the systems described below will allow you to take advantage of OEC’s Dual Fuel/Thermal Storage rate which is 4.5¢ per kWh. By utilizing this rate, you are agreeing to allow OEC to control your electric heat system during high demand periods.  Payback of the equipment investment is typically 2-4 years, depending on the system you choose. Read about some of the options available and then if you are interested in a free site assessment, call Brenda at Oconto Electric Cooperative, 800-472-8410. A site assessment means an OEC representative will come to your home, look over your existing heating and cooling systems and discuss which options would work best for you to be on our Dual Fuel rate. (Available to Oconto Electric Cooperative members only.)

For any Dual Fuel system, the homeowner will be required to purchase a metering package.  The metering package is used to determine how many kilowatt hours are billed at the Dual Fuel rate.  As part of the Dual Fuel rate there is an additional meter charge of $2.50 per month.

Air-Source Heat Pumps

During the heating season, an air-source heat pump extracts heat from outside air, condenses it and distributes the heat throughout the home via the existing duct system. The process is reversed during the cooling season in which heat is removed from inside the home and transferred to the air outside.  Because this type of system does not create heat – it simply uses heat that already exists – it is one of the most energy efficient ways to heat and cool your home.

As temperatures drop below 40 degrees, an air-source heat pump cannot provide enough heat to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.  That is why it works best when coupled with a plenum heater (see below).  When the temperature outside gets too low, the plenum heater will automatically start generating enough heat to assist the heat pump.  These two systems working together create a low-cost, extremely energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home.

To qualify for the Dual Fuel rate, an air-source heat pump and/or plenum heater must be installed so that when OEC controls – or shuts off – the air-source heat pump during high demand periods, a fossil fuel heating system will automatically take over heating your home.

Members may be eligible for a Focus on Energy rebate on some air source heat pump models. Go to www.focusonenergy.com for more information.

Plenum Heaters

Plenum heaters are installed into the supply air plenum of a forced-air furnace. Electricity is used to heat the plenum heater coils and the warm air is distributed by the furnace fan.  The existing furnace may be natural gas, propane or fuel oil.  During high demand periods, OEC will control – or shut off – the plenum heater and your fossil fuel furnace MUST automatically take over heating your home.  If you have a forced-air, fossil fuel furnace, a plenum heater typically has the smallest initial investment. 

Electric Boilers

If you have an existing fossil fuel boiler, adding an electric boiler to the system will allow you to take advantage of OEC’s Dual Fuel rate. The electric boiler is installed in sequence with your fossil fuel boiler and becomes your primary heat source.  During times of high demand, OEC will control – or shut off - the electric boiler and the fossil fuel boiler MUST automatically take over heating your home.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

A Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP) takes heat from the ground and transfers it to your home. Coils are buried in the ground through which an environmentally-safe liquid circulates.  As this liquid circulates through the GHP, the heat is collected, condensed and circulated throughout the home.  Through this method, no fossil fuels are used to generate heat - the system simply uses heat that already exists which makes it well over 100% energy efficient.  GHP systems operate in reverse to cool your home in summer and can also be used to heat domestic water.   The initial cost for the installation of a Geothermal Heat Pump can be more than other heating systems but long-term you will save money on your home heating and cooling and it is the most environmentally-friendly system you can install.

Only a Geothermal Heat Pump system that is installed in conjunction with a fossil fuel back up qualifies for the Dual Fuel rate. Members may be eligible for a Focus on Energy rebate Geothermal Heat Pump systems. Go to www.focusonenergy.com for more information.  There may also be state and/or federal tax credits available.  Contact your tax consultant to find out if you qualify. 

Electric Thermal Storage (ETS)

ETS systems convert electricity to heat during periods of low demand and store that heat in high-density ceramic bricks. The heat is released from the bricks during periods of high demand when OEC is controlling load.

Electric Thermal Storage systems are available in individual room units and central furnace systems. A forced-air ETS system can be a “stand alone” system or it can be used as a supplement to an air source heat pump. A hydronic ETS system can be used to provide heat to a radiant floor system, baseboard units or radiators.  Because ETS units do not create heat during high demand periods, a back-up fossil fuel system is NOT required for the Dual Fuel rate.  Any qualified ETS system can be on OEC’s Dual Fuel rate.