Dual Fuel, Cycled Air and Heat Pumps
Dual Fuel Heat & Cycled AC
About 30% of Crow Wing Power members participate in our Controlled Electric Programs, (load management programs) saving them significant amounts of money in heating and cooling their homes.
Load management programs work by curtailing electric heat, air conditioning and water heaters during high demand times reduce power costs and keep rates low. Curtailing electric loads during high demand times also benefits the environment.
Controlling these peak electric loads can also help to reduce the wholesale cost of electricity, keeping our rates as low as possible.
Call our Member Services Department and we can find the option that best fits your situation.
218-829-2827 or 1-800-648-9401
Dual Fuel & Cycled Air Options
This utilizes 2 heating systems, consisting of electric backed up by an automatic fossil fuel source (natural gas, propane, or fuel oil). Normally, the electric heat is ON to provide 100% of your heating as needed. During times of peak electric load, the load control equipment switches the electric system OFF, and then your back-up fossil-fuel source takes over.
Rates
$0.056/kwh (includes PCA effective1-01-18)
Control Times
Up to 600 hours per heating season. Individual interruptions may be as long as needed to prevent excessive peak usage.
Dual Fuel was controlled on average of 54 hrs during the past heating season (from the fall of 2019 through the spring of 2020).
Rebates
- $400 for plenum heaters and electric boilers.
- $1,500 for a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP).
- $800 for an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). This rebate only applies to an ASHP installed in a whole house ducted forced-air heating system.
- $100 for a whole house baseboard heating system.
Equipment Required
Electric heat source.
Automatic fossil-fueled heat source back-up (wood does not qualify).
Dual Fuel meter and load control switch.
Customer must verify their heating system(s) are sufficient to maintain temperatures as required for safety and comfort.
You can run your air conditioning system at a reduced electric rate by using a peak controller. During times of peak electric load, a load control switches the compressor on a 15 minute (+-3 minutes) ON/OFF cycle, while the fan runs continuously to circulate air throughout your home. This can be run through the same Dual Fuel Heating control and rate and would operate at a separate, "Cycled Air" schedule.
Rates
$0.056/kwh, or metered with your existing electric heating system (includes PCA effective 1/01/18).
Control Times
Up to 400 hours per cooling season. Typical controlled operation is in intervals of 15 minutes ON, 15 minutes OFF. During control times, your A/C is cycled. Actual times per day vary depending upon peak power conditions, generally limited to 10 hours per day. Most control times occur during the hottest times of the day. During this, an adequately sized A/C should be able to maintain a reasonable level of comfort in your home. Your A/C may not be able to reduce interior temperatures or humidity during controls times so you could set your A/C to run before the hottest part of the day.
Rebates
- $25 for Energy Star® rated with minimum efficiencies. New or replacement installations qualify, funding is limited.
- $1,500 for a Geothermal\Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP).
- $800 for an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). This rebate only applies to an ASHP installed in a whole house ducted forced-air system.
Equipment Required
Central air conditioning system (must be hard-wired, no plug-in or split-coil systems).
Separate meter, electric panel and Crow Wing Power load control switch.
Compared to Dual Fuel at 5.6¢/kWh*
Natural Gas | Propane | Fuel Oil | |
---|---|---|---|
High-efficiency |
$1.48/therm | $1.40/gallon | $1.94/gallon |
Standard-efficiency (60% efficient) |
99¢/therm | 94¢/therm | $1.36/gallon |
This information represents the special Dual-fuel rate compared to other heating fuels. As an example, if you have a high-efficiency furnace compared to the Duel-fuel electric rate of 5.6¢/kWh, you'd have to pay no more than $1.48/therm for natural gas, $1.40/gallon for propane and $1.94/gallon for fuel oil.
*Comparisons and rates include power cost adjustments effective 1/1/17. Rates subject to change.
Crow Wing Power also offers Off-Peak options that may fit your needs.
Heat Pumps
If you’re in the market for an energy-efficient home heating and cooling system, consider a Heat Pump.
Heat pumps move heat into homes or buildings during winter and out of them in summer, reducing overall home heating and cooling costs by as much as 40%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
They can be installed in new or existing homes and provide a long-term heating and cooling solution.
Plus members are eligible for Crow Wing Power Rebates and Federal Tax Credits.
Contact our Member Service Department for more information on a Heat Pump option for your home.
218-829-2827 or 800-648-9401
Geothermal\Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)
Geothermal\Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) provide energy-efficient heating and cooling, by utilizing the nearly constant temperature underground to heat or cool your home. Along with being extremely efficient, they have a much longer lifespan than traditional HVAC systems, as the loops are buried underground, not exposed to harsh weather, and the units are housed indoors, with no exposure to extreme weather conditions.
The installation price of a GSHP system can be several times that of an air-source system of the same heating and cooling capacity, the additional costs are returned to you in energy savings in 5 to 10 years.
Contact our Member Service Department for more information on a GSHP option for your home.
218-829-2827 or 800-648-9401
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
Air-source heat pumps (ASHP) uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. Think of an air-source heat pump as a heat transporter constantly moving warm air from one place to another, to where it’s needed or not needed, depending on the season. When it’s cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses direction and acts like an air conditioner, removing heat from your home. It is up to 300% efficient, depending on the conditions outside, meaning for every $1 of energy consumed you get $3 of energy out, making it one of the most efficient products on the market.
There is also a Ductless Mini-split option for homes without an existing ducted system or when it's impractical or too expensive.