Heating season is just around the corner, is your dual fuel system ready?

Heating with electricity on LREC’s dual fuel program continues to be a great value for our members. With winter weather fast approaching, now is the time to ensure your secondary fuel source is ready. Dual fuel participants will likely experience additional control hours due to inflationary pressures and supply constraints this heating season. This has been felt throughout the energy industry because of unusually high prices in the electricity and natural gas markets. 

To combat this, our wholesale power provider Great River Energy will manage costs by using LREC’s dual fuel program to reduce load during peak pricing hours, which may include both morning and evening peak demand periods. With the possibility of additional control hours, we highly encourage dual fuel program participants to ensure they have an adequate supply of their secondary fuel source. Replenishing storage tanks now typically leads to cost savings versus filling up during peak winter heating months. 

If you would like an email and/or text when LREC plans to control your dual fuel system, you can sign up by visiting www.lrec.coop/LCsignup.  

In addition to purchasing in the early fall, you can also save money if you: 

• Buy a bigger tank, which allows you to stock up when prices are low. 
• Shop around and lock in the lowest rate. The propane market is competitive, so research rates and consider additional perks such as free service calls, maintenance, buybacks and bonuses. If rates are low, as they usually are in October, ask if the company will lock in the low rate for a period of time. 
• Ask about discounts. Oftentimes these are made available for veterans, seniors, employees of the state or major corporations, memberships in travel clubs, or even as perks of certain credit cards. You never know where a discount may exist, so don’t be afraid to ask. 
• Schedule deliveries carefully. Avoid holiday, weekend and other peak delivery times that may incur a fee. 
• Conserve fuel by using less. Install a smart thermostat, keep appliances clean and well-serviced and choose energy-efficient models.