Dual Fuel

6.54¢ per kWh

A dual fuel system provides whole-house heat using electricity and another fuel. At times of peak electrical demand, our radio receiver interrupts the electric heat. During interruptions, you heat with your alternate fuel.

Dual Fuel interruptions can occur at any time for any length of time. The cumulative total of interruptions cannot exceed 400 hours during the heating season. For this reason, your backup system must be controlled by a thermostat and be capable of automatically coming on when the interruption occurs.

Your satisfaction with the dual fuel program is dependent on the ability of your backup system to keep you comfortable during extended interruptions.

Make electric heat your primary heat source and extend the life of your fossil fuel furnace. Electric heat on our Dual Fuel program is very cost competitive.

Dual Fuel at 6.54¢ per kWh compares to:

• $1.62 per gallon of propane
• $1.76 per therm of natural gas
• $2.28 per gallon of fuel oil

Click here for Great River Energy's Load Management Guide and check today's load control.

Other Heating Options

• Off Peak
• Heat Pumps - Air Source and Ground Source

Air Source Heat Pumps

ASHPs really are the best of both worlds. You can switch between cooling and heating directly from the thermostat, putting you in complete control.

• Higher Efficiency – You can save you up to 30% on your home cooling expenses by using an ASHP instead of other conventional air conditioning units. They are also 200%-400% more efficient when it comes to home heating. This is possible because they use advanced technology to transfer more energy than it consumes.
• Easy on the Environment – These units are super-efficient and they cut down on the depletion of limited natural resources and their extended equipment life means less pollution associated with discarding old units or parts and manufacturing their replacements.
• A Safe Solution – Since ASHPs operate without using an open flame, they don’t create any products of combustion such as carbon monoxide and other emissions. No need for venting— or worrying.
• Quality Control – The heat provided by an ASHP is more moderate in temperature than air from conventional furnaces. As a result, the air rises more slowly, distributes more evenly and holds its moisture better. This makes for a better, more natural warmth for you and your family to enjoy.
• Adjusts Automatically – An ASHP works in tandem with your conventional gas furnace for home heating. The pump automatically selects the most ideal balance between the two heating sources to constantly maintain the most efficiently ideal heating combination based on your desired indoor temperature. It’s like magic. Only real.

MLEC also offers low interest loans of 2% to those with good credit on their electric account.

Find Qualified Air Source Heat Pump Installers

Ground-source Heat Pumps

A ground-source heat pump does not burn any fuel to create heat. It simply transfers the earth’s energy to your home. At the earth’s constant temperature of 40 to 50 degrees, a loop through the earth, coupled with an indoor heat pump (about the size of a conventional furnace), provides 300% efficient heat. The heat pump can be connected to ductwork or hydronic tubing.

In the summer, you flip the switch to reverse a ducted system for air conditioning.

Other Heating Options

• Off Peak
• Dual Fuel

Water Heating

• Water Heater Promotion

• Average Water Usage and Water Heaters

Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative offers our members an off-peak, load management program to help you save money on your water heating costs, while providing you safety and convenience. Off-peak systems help control electric load. Check out off-peak water heating by clicking the link above.

Off Peak

5.35¢ per kWh

Looking for ways to save money on your electric bill? Changing to Off Peak water heating is a real option. Water heating accounts for up to one-third of home energy costs, and reducing water heating costs can save hundreds of dollars every year.

With a storage water heating system, electricity heats the water during off peak hours. When electric demand is high, your water is turned off and you draw from your stored hot water. This saves MLEC money, and these savings are passed on to you through our off peak rate. The payback on your initial investment is usually only months.

A storage water heating system is one that has sufficient storage capacity to supply the user’s hot water needs over an extended “on-peak” period while the electrical supply is interrupted. One hundred gallons is the minimum storage capacity required to qualify the water heating system as a storage system.

Peak Shave Water Heating

7.98¢ per kWh

Peak Shave is a water heating program for those situations when space for an off-peak system is limited or the customer prefers less control, but can still enjoy a reduced rate on their water heating.

The minimum capacity to qualify is 50 gallons. Interruptions can occur any time of day, with an 8 hour maximum per day.

For more info, contact Energy Services at 218-429-0432 or 888-433-4279.

Air Conditioning

Summer is when Minnesotans use the most electricity; this is also when it’s most important to conserve energy. One energy-saving measure you can take right now is to sign up for our residential cycled air conditioningprogram. This innovative program helps us better manage energy demand, and it helps you save money on summer electric bills.

So how does cycled AC work? We install a small remote control switch on your air conditioner. There’s no charge for the equipment or installation. During periods of high demand (hot/humid summer days) your ac's condenser will be cycled on and off for periods of 15 minutes at a time. In Minnesota, this typically occurs 10-15 days per year.

What do you need to do? Just sign up and we’ll give you a $10 credit on your monthly electric bills for energy used during June, July and August once our controls are in place.

As your electric co-op, we’re committed to offering cost-effective programs to meet the growing need for electricity. Cycled air conditioning is one program that allows us to partner with residential customers and decrease summer power demand. At the same time, cycled AC enables us to potentially delay construction of new power plants (a costly undertaking) and keep rates more affordable.

Signing up is as easy as a phone call. To enroll or to learn more, contact Member Services at (218) 429-0432 or (888) 433-4279.

HVAC Information

HVAC Certification

Air conditioners running below their rated performance cause wasted energy, decreases comfort and shortens the life of air conditioning equipment. These problems can be addressed when units are properly installed and maintained.

That is why a high-efficiency cooling rebate was developed. To qualify for the rebate, the central air conditioning unit or air source heat pump must be installed by a qualified HVAC contractor that has successfully completed the HVAC/R Education qualifications and testing. The installer submits rebate info to MLEC. Once verified by MLEC, the member is mailed the rebate check.

Qualified installations focus on 4 key areas:

• Equipment sizing
• Refrigerant charge
• Air flow
• Duct sealing (exposed ducts only)

For new HVAC trade partners registration, order rebate forms, update company information, or become a Quality Installation Contractor  CLICK HERE.

For a public search for approved contractors, CLICK HERE.

Qualified Installation Rebates available to Mille Lacs Energy members:

Central Air Conditioning Installation Rebates:

SEER 14.5 $50

SEER 15 $50

SEER 16 $50

Air Source Heat Pump Installation Rebates:

SEER2 of 14.3 or higher $750