Dual Fuel Energy Management Program

Dual Fuel is a energy management program available to members who choose to install heating systems with two different sources of energy (dual fuel).  When a member enrolls in the program, they are eligible to receive a discounted electric rate - saving both the member money on their monthly bill and PEC money on our wholesale power costs.

In exchange for the lower rate, PEC is given the ability to shed load during times when energy use on the grid is at its highest.

Dual Fuel Agreement

The Benefits:

  • Members can take advantage of safe, exhaust-free heating.
  • Reduced cost electricity through the dual fuel meter for months September through May usage.
  • All usage through the dual fuel meter will be tax exempt for six months of the year.
  • If a member has a dual fuel heating system, they can add an electric water heater to the dual fuel panel for additional savings on your water heating costs.
  • Today’s electric grid is ‘greener’ than ever, so by using electric heat, you reduce your carbon footprint more than you can with propane or natural gas.

 

Here's How It Works:

  • The member receives a junction box from the Cooperative that their electrician wires outside of the house. At this time, the electrician will also wire in the dual fuel panel, the meter socket, and wire the two heating systems together with an automatic transfer switch.
  • PEC then installs a receiver onto the junction box. When a peak energy alert occurs, the receiver gets a signal to go into an energy management event.
  • During the event, the receiver will cause the main electric heating to turn off. The transfer switch will sense the loss of the main system and automatically switch to the backup heating system.
  • Once the event is done, the receiver will allow power back to the electric heating system and the transfer switch will switch the heating back to the electric system.

 

Energy Management Events:

  • On this program, the energy management season runs November 1 through April 30. 
  • Events generally occur during the months of December, January, or February and sometime between 4:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
  • The frequency of these events change from year to year. This past heating season, we called for six (6) energy management events.