DUAL FUEL
WHAT IS IT?
A separately metered clean reliable electric heating system is combined with either a fossil fuel or ETS, Electric Thermal Storage alternate system. During peak demand times the electric system would be controlled and the alternate system would have to carry the heating requirements of the home. In return, as a member of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, you receive a lower rate for the off-peak meter.
Want to get started?
Want to get started?
HOW IT WORKS
- Your home or business with an electric heating system is "backed up" by a fossil fuel system or electric thermal storage system
- The back-up heat system must be capable of heating the home or business during control periods
- Loads are not controlled on a daily basis. Loads will be controlled as needed during periods of high energy demand or high energy prices.
- Electric water heaters and air conditioning can also be connected to the Dual Fuel program
- No uncontrolled electric heat is allowed – including plug-in space heaters
COST COMPARISONS
Use these guides to help you compare your energy options.
- Electric Resistive Heat to Fossil Fuels
- Geothermal Heat Pumps (COP of 3.5) to Fossil Fuels
- Geothermal Heat Pumps (COP of 4.3) to Fossil Fuels
The COP is how efficiencies of heat pump systems are rated. It relates to the number of energy units produced for each unit used. For instance if a geothermal heat pump has a COP of 3.5, for every $1.00 of energy used to run it, it will produce $3.50 worth of heat energy in return.