Avoid high natural gas and propane prices with off-peak electric heating

Minnesota and North Dakota households that relied on natural gas or propane to keep them warm through last year’s cold season faced volatile prices that sent their heating bills soaring unexpectedly. One year later, natural gas and propane costs remain high – with the potential to climb higher through the winter. 

If the possibility of another price spike has you nervous, there’s an easy way to prepare now. Simply incorporate electricity into your heating system and enroll in CCEC's voluntary off-peak program. You’ll receive electric heat at nearly half the standard electric rate, which brings your cost for heating well below the cost for natural gas or propane. Plus, the off-peak electric rate has remained stable for nearly a decade, so there are no worries about sudden swings in the market that you didn’t work into your budget. 

How the valuable off-peak program works: 

CCEC members voluntarily sign up for off-peak, which allows Minnkota (CCEC's wholesale power provider) to temporarily turn off electric heating, water heating, vehicle chargers, and commercial account service during times of high regional demand. During these “control periods,” most consumers are automatically switched to a backup heating system, generator, or stored heat, so there is no interruption in comfort. 

Electric heat system 

An electric heating system on the off-peak program consists of an electric heat source as its main component and a supplemental heating source (such as fuel oil or propane) that will typically operate 250-300 hours per year during times of peak electrical demand in the region. The program can also be utilized in storage heat technologies, in which heat is collected and stored during low-demand times of day and deployed when needed. 

Water heater  

A water heater on the off-peak program will warm the contents of the tank during lower-demand times of day (often overnight), and that water will remain hot until it is needed in the home. 

Popular electric options eligible for the off-peak program: 

Air-source heat pump 

• Can be used with a backup fuel source for the off-peak program 

• Eligible for low off-peak rate 

• $150 per ton rebate 

Electric plenum 

• Backup energy source is necessary for the off-peak program 

• Eligible for low off-peak rate 

• $25 per kW rebate 

Thermal storage 

• Backup fuel source is not needed for the off-peak program 

• Eligible for low off-peak rate 

• $45 per kW rebate 

Electric water heater 

• Backup fuel source is not needed for the off-peak program 

• Eligible for low off-peak rate 

• Up to $500 in rebates