Minnesota Power, an ALLETE Company

Electric heat offers many benefits

• There’s no flame, which means less fire hazard and no combustion by-products that could present an indoor air quality concern.
• Eliminates sooting, back-drafting or fuel handling.
• Individual room units provide precise room-by-room temperature control to fit your lifestyle, save energy and allow for individual comfort. Electrical heat lets you put the right amount of heat exactly where you need it.
• In most cases, there are no, or a limited number, of moving parts.
• Installation and maintenance costs are low, and competitive Dual Fuel and Fixed Off-Peak storage rates make electric heat economical.
• Electric heating is very versatile and can offer many heating options to meet your needs, such as:
  • Radiant heat, e.g., cover heaters, ceiling panels, radiant slab heating
  • Conventional heat, e.g., baseboards and boilers
  • Fan forced heat, e.g., electric furnaces, plenum heaters, wall heaters, kickspace heaters, floor heaters, air source heat pumps and ground source heat pumps
• Electric heating offers a high degree of reliability with time-tested, proven heating technology. Electric heating is considered to be one of the most reliable systems available today.

Storage Heating Rate

The Fixed Off-Peak rate is designed around the ability to store energy for space and water heating. During off-peak hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., when the cost of electricity and system demand is less, storage heating equipment turns on and stores the energy needed for the balance of the day. A storage system can consist of thermal storage room units, a central storage furnace, a central hot water system or slab heat. Water heating on the storage rate generally requires a minimum of one 80-gallon electric water heater or two 52-gallon electric water heaters. Larger combinations may be necessary depending on hot water demand. Electricity to energize the heating equipment is on only between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This system is also known as controlled access or “ETS” (electric thermal storage).

Conditions:

To qualify for the Fixed Off-Peak rate, you must have sufficient storage capacity to meet your building's space or water heating needs. The homeowner or business owner will receive a Fixed Off-Peak Agreement and the tax-exempt card after the meter is installed (all heating fuels in the state of Minnesota are tax-exempt).

How to Participate:

Call Minnesota Power at 1-800-228-4966 for more information on the Fixed Off-Peak program.

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Electric Storage Heating Equipment

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Storage Water Heating

A storage water heating system is one which has sufficient storage capacity to supply the residential or commercial customer with the hot water needed, while only heating between 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The system is remotely controlled and the water heater elements will not operate at any other time. The water heater must have a minimum storage capacity of 80 gallons.

Recommendations for sizing:

Number in Family	Single Tank	Dual Tanks	Dual Tanks
1	80	52-52
2	80	52-52
3	120	52-52
4	120	52-52
5		52-82	52-66
6		52-82	66-82
7		52-120	82-82
8		52-120	82-82
9			82-120

200 gallons is the maximum amount of water that a 4 5 kw element will heat in an eight-hour charge period. Storage heating is not recommended for families of 10 or more. Families may have to adjust their hot water usage with faucet aerators, water saver showerheads, mixing valves, cold or warm wash for clothes, etc.

Q. What is the cost of installing a Fixed Off-Peak System?
A. The costs can vary greatly depending on the individual installation. A mechanical heating contractor is normally hired to install your storage heating equipment. An electrician will need to install a second service panel - one panel will have circuits for general household/business use; the second panel will have only the electric heating circuits. This means two separate meters are required For services 200 amps and less, a radio receiver and socket interrupter or integral meter contactor will be installed by Minnesota Power. For services over 200 amps, an electrician needs to work with Minnesota Power’s metering personnel to install a proper interruptible control system. The cost to upgrade Minnesota Power’s distribution system facilities to accommodate your additional electric heating load can consist of but may not be limited to a transformer, wire, and meter disconnects in applicable installations, and a radio receiver and socket interrupter or integral meter contactor to control the heating service.

Q. How do I qualify for Fixed Off-Peak?
A. To qualify, you must have a means of storing sufficient heating energy to meet your building's needs.

Q. What do I do if I want to discontinue being on the Fixed Off-Peak rate?
A. If you want to discontinue Fixed Off-Peak, you will not be allowed to return to the Fixed Off-Peak rate for a minimum of 12 months. If you wish to discontinue this rate, you can request this rate change. Minnesota Power will disable the radio control. If the Fixed Off-Peak meter can be removed (no electric equipment requiring power is wired into the Fixed Off-Peak electrical panel), Minnesota Power will do so. If the meter is not removed, you will continue to be billed a monthly service charge. To avoid that charge, transfer all electric heating circuits to the general service panel. If you have had a lot line metering pedestal installed, and decide you no longer want Fixed Off-Peak, the Fixed Off-Peak pedestal may need to be removed at a cost to you. The cost to remove our facilities varies based on individual installations. You would need to contact the Fixed Off-Peak Coordinator for these costs and sign an Interruptible Service Disconnect Request.

Q. What will I save by going on the Fixed Off-Peak rate?
A. Please refer to the Guide to Fuel Cost Comparisons if you wish to compare electric heating options with other fuels or you may use the Fuel Cost Comparison Calculator. If your home has electric heat and you add Controlled Access, the savings can range from 0-40 percent depending on your annual kwh usage.

Type of Heating Appliance	Electricity	Gas/Propane	Oil	Wood
Boiler
Forced Air
Plenum
Baseboard (non-hydronic)
Radiant Cove
Slab
Slab Storage
Heat Pump
Convection Heater

Operation/Maintenance	Electricity	Gas/Propane	Oil	Wood
Precise Room-by-room Control
Moving Parts
Fuel Handling Required
Regular Maintenance required
Venting Required

Bypass Metering Requirements

If Lot Line Metering is Not Used

In order to minimize power interruptions during meter replacement or calibration, and to ensure safety of Minnesota Power employees, all residential, customer-owned, self contained meter sockets must have a jaw-clamping, lever-type bypass. Horn-type bypasses are not acceptable.

Self Contained Metering

200-Amp Single-Phase 3-Wire—4 or 5 terminal, 200-amp, jaw-clamping, lever-operated bypass, weatherproof, ringless, screwless cover, 5th jaw at nine o’clock position, hub opening for overhead, closure plate or plain top for underground.
320-Amp Single-Phase 3-Wire—4 terminal, 320-amp, jaw-clamping, lever-operated bypass, weatherproof, ringless, screwless cover, hub opening for overhead, closure plate or plain top for underground Anti-inversion clips in the upper right jaw are not allowed.
200 Amp 2 Position Single Phase 3 Wire—4 terminal, weatherproof, 200-amp jaw-clamping, lever-operated bypass per position, ringless, screwless cover, hub opening for overhead, closure plate or plain top for underground.

Approved Meter Sockets—List of Manufacturers

Landis and Gyr, Milbank, T&B, Anchor, Durham, Siemens, Square D, Cutler Hammer and Midwest Electric are examples of UL approved metering equipment providers.

Sample Part Numbers Millbank U-4801-XL-5T9
Siemens Drawing 48804, PN 48804-02NU
Sample Meter Spec

*Note: Metering services greater than 320A and in excess of 240V require instrument-rated metering equipment.

Meter Location

Outdoor metering is required for all installations unless prior approval is given.

For outdoor installations the center line of all meters shall be between four and six feet from the finished grade.

A minimum three feet of unobstructed working space, as measured from the surface on which it is mounted, should be maintained in front of the meter, and a minimum of 12 inches of unobstructed space should be maintained on all sides of the meter cover Ample space shall be provided for all meters, metering equipment and other apparatus so that they can be safely read, inspected and tested.

Please call Minnesota Power’s Meter Department at 1-800-228-4966 for questions regarding sockets.

*Note: Your local or state electrical code may have additional requirements.