Whenever you pay more than $1.50 per gallon for propane*, it may be cheaper to use dual fuel off-peak electricity for heating.
*If you have a propane furnace that is about 90% efficient.
Whenever you pay more than $1.60 per gallon for fuel oil**, it may be cheaper to use dual fuel off-peak electricity for heating.
**If you have a fuel oil furnace that is about 65% efficient.
Dual fuel heating is electric resistance heat, such as a plenum heater or baseboard, that is energized at all times unless it is controlled by the load management system. Dual fuel systems use two fuel sources - electricity as a primary system - and an alternate fuel such as LP gas or fuel oil during times of peak electrical demand. The electric heat may be baseboard units, cove heaters, a plenum heater, or any kind of permanently installed electric heat.
Any type of heat pump also qualifies for the dual fuel heat rate. Heat pump heat will cut your equivalent propane cost to $0.75 per gallon or less.
Dual fuel programs hold your heating costs down without giving up comfort or convenience. For dual fuel heating, Agralite's rate is $0.0652/kWh for heating energy in the winter and $0.1160/kWh in the summer. All sub-meters have a $2.50 monthly fee.
See the energy professionals at Agralite Electric Cooperative for more information on how you can lower your energy costs with dual fuel heating.