Load Management Programs
As a cooperative member of Brown County Rural Electrical Association (BCREA) you can expect reliable electrical service at cost effective rates. BCREA has various load management programs to let you, the member, help keep the cost of your electricity low.
Interruptible Water Heating
BCREA will replace any water heater which is aging or non-functional with an energy efficient, lifetime warranty against leaking water heater, available in 50, 80, and 100 gallon sizes. Members' $500 cost includes the water heater, installation and the load management receiver. Installation includes plumbing to connect to the existing water heater inlet and outlet, and electric connection to the water heater from the disconnect switch. The water heater disconnect switch shall be supplied and installed by the member. The load control device and associated wiring is supplied by BCREA. A contract is required which states that the water heater will remain in use on the system and under control for a period of at least ten years.
"Under control" means that a radio receiver is placed on the heater which enables us to interrupt power to the water heater for up to eight hours on days of anticipated high electrical demand. This should not be an inconvenience to you, since you should have sufficient hot water to carry you through any control times. This program is also available for new construction.
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) Water Heating
An ETS water heating system uses inexpensive off-peak electricity to “charge” a water heater with sufficient storage capacity to supply your hot water needs while the electricity is interrupted during the on-peak hours the following day. It can be applied to an existing water heater with an energy factor of .90 or greater and storage capacity of 80 gallons or more. Members who install a large capacity water heater and place in on ETS strategy will receive a $250 rebate, bringing the cost down to $250, which includes installation and the load management receiver.
Water heaters are recharged for eight hours each day, typically between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. on weekdays. ETS water heaters are not controlled on weekends and holidays except when potential billing peaks occur on those days and other load control is scheduled.
Dual Fuel Space Heating
Under Dual Fuel, members use electric heat as the primary heat source with an automatic, non-electric or storage heat source available to enable interruption of the electric heat during times of peak demand. When the demand for electricity is high, the electric heat is interrupted and the back-up source provide heat to keep the home comfortable. The electric heat may sub-metered for a discounted rate. Control periods are limited to 400 hours per heating season and 12 hours per day.
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) Heat
Electric storage units, either individual room or whole house, use off-peak electricity generally recharged between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., to heat the home throughout the day. Storage heat can be used as backup for existing electric heat to qualify for the dual fuel rate.
Ground Source Heat Pump
A Geothermal or Ground Source Heat Pump is one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home. It does not burn any fuel source to produce heat, but instead transfers the heat that is in the ground outside into your home. A ground source heat pump qualifies for a special rate when placed under load management with a non-electric or storage backup heating system and cycled air conditioning.
Air Source Heat Pump
These highly efficient units use electricity to heat and cool with same unit. An air source heat pump qualifies for a special rate when under load management with a non-electric or storage backup heating system and cycled air conditioning.
Existing Electric Heat
Existing electric heat may be placed under load management with a qualified back-up heat source, capable of supplying whole house heating, and qualifies for special rate.
Cycled Cooling
Central air conditioner or heat pump is cycled on & off 15 minutes during our peak times. Only the compressor is controlled; fan continues to run. You should not experience any discomfort because of the control. A one-time credit is given for allowing control to be installed and member must remain on the program for at least two years.
Commercial, Industrial, & Agricultural Programs
Backup Generation (Genset Program)
Special rates are available to commercial, industrial and agricultural members who have an automatic back-up generation system which will carry their entire service load. During times of peak electrical usage, these back-up generation systems can be dispatched to carry the site's entire electric load to reduce load and demand from the potential billing peak. Contact Member Services for details.
Interruptible Irrigation
Interruptible Irrigation helps to eliminate demand created by irrigation systems from billing peaks. Irrigation systems can be interrupted once per day for four hours and qualify for a special rate.