Dual Fuel and Electric Thermal Storage Heating
Posted by Darrell Erickson on January 23, 2017
Three years ago, after I had been in my new home in the country for barely a year, propane prices skyrocketed. Propane was my only source of fuel to heat my home at that time, but luckily I had heard of the dual fuel program from Wright-Hennepin (WH). I purchased an electric plenum heater and enrolled in dual fuel and instantly started saving money by heating my home with affordable electricity. WH also offers a similar program for electric thermal storage (ETS) heating units. Both programs give members a discounted rate ($0.054) for switching to a non-electric heating source during times of peak energy demand – typically the coldest days of the year.
Dual fuel
Under WH’s dual fuel program, members who have two sources of fuel (typically electric/propane or electric/fuel oil) are given a reduced rate when using electricity to heat their home. During days of peak energy usage, a second fuel source or “backup” would kick in to heat the home until the control period is over. Some of the different electric heat sources that can be placed on the dual fuel program are electric boilers, plenum heaters and baseboard heaters.
Electric thermal storage (ETS) 
With our ETS program, there is no need for a second fossil fuel source. Members whose only source of fuel is electricity can purchase ETS heaters that charge overnight, typically from 11 p.m.-7 a.m., and then use that stored heat throughout the day. Storage heaters, either whole-house units or room units, have a mass of bricks that are heated by electric elements overnight. That stored heat is then used to heat the home throughout the day.
If you have any questions about our energy-saving programs, please call WH at (763) 477-3000 and ask to speak to a sales representative or electric use consultant.
