Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative’s rebate program for dual fuel heating-cooling system and electric water heater switch installation has been modified in response to statewide changes in load control.

Effective Jan. 1, the water heater switch program came to an end on the BREC system. Switches currently in place and the credits associated with them will continue under the former program, but no new switches will be installed nor will new electric water heater installations be eligible for rebates.

“During peak load conditions, the water heater switches already installed will be operated, but no new switches will be added,” explained Steve Oden, vice president of Member Services.

“A lot of study and discussion took place last year among Ohio’s electric cooperatives and Buckeye Power, Inc., about the continuation of winter load control programs in light of the growing possibility of summer peaks related to air conditioning,” he said.

“In other words, do you put all your eggs in one basket and only worry about winter peaks?”

BREC’s wholesale electric supplier set a new summer peak of record in 2006, as did many cooperatives in Ohio.

“We have long wondered about the effectiveness of water heater switch controls in avoiding peaks on our system,” Oden said. “We did not operate the switches. This was done at a statewide load center in Columbus. The decision was made to concentrate on other areas, especially overall energy conservation, as a more effective strategy.”

Also, the statewide load control program no longer includes dual fuel system rebates, although the BREC Board of Trustees has voted to continue a leaner dual fuel program on the local level.

“We have averaged rebating between 80 and 100 dual fuel units per year for BREC members. It’s a good program. Our trustees realized the value to continuing a rebate program, even if it is funded entirely by the co-op,” said Oden.

The former $600 rebate has been lowered to a $400-per-unit rebate for dual fuel installation, and the kilowatt-hour credit has been discontinued on installations submitted after Jan. 1, 2007. However, Oden said the 2007 program is budgeted to enable 80 units or more to be installed.

“In our opinion, heating and cooling systems that combine electric heat pumps and fossil fuel furnaces make the best use of energy in a cost effective manner. Dual fuel units, properly sized and installed, can lower household energy costs and help BREC in peak load situations,” he said.

For more information about BREC’s dual fuel rebate program, call 1-877-567-9649.