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What is controlled under load management? -- back to top ↑
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What time will the load control take effect? -- back to top ↑
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Control can take effect at anytime and whenever deemed necessary by our power supplier -- East River Electric in South Dakota and L & O Power in Minnesota. Most controlling occurs during high heat, evenings, and weekends. Control will not take place between 11:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. in Minnesota. |
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What advantages are offered to members for utilizing load management? -- back to top ↑
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Load management saves the Cooperative over $1 million dollars each year by shifting electrical load to off-peak time periods. Members can save through special rates, bill credits, and rebates offered for equipment under load management. Rebates are offered for 50 gallon or larger lifetime warranty water heaters that are purchased and placed under the load management program. In addition to the rebate, a $6 bill credit is given each month for participating in load management (requires a minimum total electric usage of 300 kWh per month per water heater). Members who agree to connect central air conditioners to Sioux Valley Energy's load management system qualify for a $6 credit per month for the billing cycles of May through September with a minimum total electric usage of 300 kWh per month. |
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How long will my water heater be controlled? -- back to top ↑
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In South Dakota: Water heaters are periodically turned on and off during control. Controlled water heaters may be subject to "rolling" control (on-off, on-off). This type of control will occur when total control is not warranted or when the total load cannot be controlled due to an increased duration of the peak period (longer than four hours). The normal procedure for rolling water heaters will be 2 hours off and 1 hour on.
In Minnesota: Water heaters are controlled a percentage of the time. Under full control, the most that would be controlled is 75% of each half-hour or about 20 minutes. Water heaters can be controlled as long as necessary. |
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How do you control air conditioning? -- back to top ↑
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Air conditioners may be controlled at any time during the summer cooling season. Time of occurrence, duration and magnitude of the peak will determine the control period. Air conditioners are controlled for 15 minutes of control every half-hour for an indefinite time. Half of the air conditioners connected to the load management system will be controlled at any one time. Only the air conditioner compressor is controlled, the fan motor will continue to provide circulation. |
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How do you control irrigation? -- back to top ↑
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Irrigation systems are turned off once it is determined control is needed. They will remain off with no cycling until the peak usage period has passed.
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How do you control grain drying? -- back to top ↑
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Grain dryers are turned off once it is determined control is needed. They will remain off with no cycling until the peak usage period has passed. At this time, we are not connecting new grain drying controls. |
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Who installs the load management equipment? -- back to top ↑
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Qualified Sioux Valley Energy electricians install load control receiver equipment and associated wiring. |
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What will it cost me to install load management equipment? -- back to top ↑
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There is no charge to the customer. |
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What if I decide I no longer want my equipment controlled? -- back to top ↑
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Load management is optional and the equipment can be removed. However, if you purchased a Marathon water heater from the Cooperative between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009, you will be charged the full retail cost of the water heater if you choose to remove the load management receiver before five years. Beginning in 2010, if you received a water heater rebate and wish to discontinue participating in load management prior to the five year minimum agreement, you will be billed for the rebate amount. You will also discontinue receiving the monthly load management discount for your water heater.
If you choose to remove the load management receiver from your central air conditioner, you will discontinue receiving the monthly load management discount for air conditioning.
You will not be charged for labor or a trip charge to remove the load management equipment. You will need to contact the Customer Electrical Department to schedule an appointment.
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How do I know if I'm being controlled? -- back to top ↑
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South Dakota members can log on to the East River website at http://www.eastriver.coop/. Click on the load management tab, click on current status and you'll be able to see what loads are being controlled. You will not be able to determine control for a specific member and an individual member cannot be turned back on.
Minnesota members can contact the dispatch center at 800-234-1960 to check if they are under control. |
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