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Residential Load Control Status

Commercial Load Control Status


When demand is low, wholesale power is less expensive.  Off-peak enables Polk-Burnett members to take advantage of reduced rates for electric hard-wired heat and/or electric water heaters of 80 gallons or greater that can be controlled or temporarily turned off for economic reasons or during periods of high demand.  By controlling these devices with a radio receiver through a process called load management, Polk-Burnett can balance electric demand more evenly which helps to reduce overall costs.

Load Management FAQs

Why do we need load management?

When we reduce energy use during peak demand times, we forestall the need to build new, expensive electricity generation facilities and transmission equipment to meet your electrical needs. Load management also provides for more efficient use of the facilities we have, which helps keep rates affordable.

How is electricity controlled?

Controlling is done with a Comverge (approx. 6” x 8”) or Entek (approx. 2” x 4”) radio receiver with indicator lights.     

Picture of a Radio Receiver                         Picture of Radio Receiver Light Display

• Green lights indicate power to the receiver.
• Yellow lights indicate control of A/C and electric resistant heat, such as baseboard and heat pumps.
• Red lights indicate control of all participating water heaters and storage heat such as Steffes electric thermal storage heaters and Marathon® 80-105 gallon water heaters.

If your radio receiver is a Scientific Atlanta or a General Electric model please call (800) 421-0283, ext. 595, to schedule an upgrade to a digital receiver at no cost.
If there is a blinking yellow light on the receiver please call for a service signal to be sent out to clear the receiver.

What if there are no lights in the radio receiver?

This is typical during the overnight hours or if the breaker that powers your load management device is turned off. Otherwise, there is always a green light (solid or intermittent) displayed in the radio receiver window indicating everything is working properly.

If at any time power to the radio receiver is interrupted, power to the water heater and/or electric heat is delayed seven and one-half minutes after power is restored to the receiver.  During this seven and one-half minutes the lights in the receiver will be going on/off until the correct control signal is locked in.

Will I run out of hot water?

Under normal conditions, you should not run out of hot water. If you do, please call Polk-Burnett, 800-421-0283, ext. 595. We can help diagnose if you are having a problem with the water heater or if the problem is related to the control time.  In most cases we can change the control time if needed.

What hours and how often are my loads controlled?

Full load control typically takes place when demand for electricity is peaking in the mid-west
Economic control takes place when the market price is too high to pass onto the membership
     Many anticipated economic controls do not take place, but could if the need arose.

Anticipated number of winter control events:
     Full load control (FLC) - 5 p.m - 9 p.m. - 1 per month (December, January, February)
     Economic control: 5 p.m - 11 p.m based on MISO market pricing (November, December, January, February, March, April)
          Electric resistance heat (no backup) - 10 times (5 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
          Electric heat (with backup) - 30 times (5 p.m - 9 p.m)
          Small water heaters - 10 times (5 p.m - 9 p.m)
          Dairy water heaters - 2 times (5 p.m - 10 p.m)

Anticipated number of summer control events: 
     Full load control (FLC) - 2 p.m. - 6 p.m - 3 per month max of 9 per summer (June, July, August)
     Economic control:  6:30 p.m - 10:30 p.m. based on MISO market pricing (May, June, July, August, September, October)
          Air conditioners - 20 times (6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.)
          Small water heaters - 10 times (7 p.m - 11 p.m.)
          Large water heaters not on storage - 10 times (6 p.m. - midnight)
          Dairy water heaters - 2 times (6 p.m. - 11 p.m.)

Note:  Most Electronic Thermal Storage (ETS) and large water heaters are controlled on a daily basis.

If you are not sure how your control is set up, call 800-421-0283 ext. 595 and we can provide that information based on your off-peak loads.

How long will my heat be off....will my pipes freeze?

Members with electric resistance heat (baseboard or heat pumps) and no storage or thermostatically controlled fossil fuel backup heat can expect to be without heat for up to four hours during a control period.
Members with an automatic backup storage or thermostatically controlled heating system can expect to be off for up to six hours during a control time.

It is the homeowners responsibility to make sure that there is adequate heat to kept the pipes from freezing during a control event.  If your home is heated by baseboard only, you may want to look into adding a thermostatically controlled backup heat, such as an ETS unit or gas fireplace.  You may want to check your home for proper insulation levels also to help retain the heat in the home.  Polk-Burnett offers a rebate for home testing and subsequent improvements based on the test results.

How many times has my heat been controlled during the last couple of heating seasons?

Interruptible (dual fuel) heat 2/2W, (2A/2B/2W) are electric heat loads that have an automatic backup heat source and are controlled up to 6 hours.
Interruptible heat 4B are loads of electric resistance heat with no automatic back up heat source and are controlled up to 4 hours. (baseboard only)

2019-2020 season - interruptible (dual fuel) heat 2/2W was controlled 2 times for a total of 10 hours and interruptible heat 4B was controlled 2 times for a total of 7 hours. 
2018-2019 season - interruptible heat 2A,2B, 2C was controlled 4 times for a total of 19 hours and interruptible heat 4B was controlled 4 times for a total of 10.5 hours.
2017-2018 season - Interruptible heat 2A,2B,2C was controlled 6 times for a total of 25 hours and interruptible heat 4B was controlled 4 times for a total of 11 hours. 
2016-2017 season - Interruptible heat 2A/2B,2C was controlled 5 times for a total of 24.5 hours and interruptible heat 4B was controlled 4 times for a total of 12 hours.
2015-2016 season - Interruptible heat 2A,2B,2C was controlled 4 times for a total of 20.5 hours and interruptible heat 4B was controlled 4 times for a total of 12 hours.
2014-2015 season - Interruptible heat 2A,2B,2C was controlled 9 times for a total of 37.5 hours and Interruptible heat 4B was controlled 8 times for a total of 21 hours.  

What can I expect when my air conditioner is being controlled?

Air conditioners participating in load control with be cycled every 15 minutes throughout the control time.  Meaning the air conditioner will be cycled 15 minutes on - 15 minutes off - 15 minutes on - 15 minutes off each hour for the length of the control period.

How many times has my air conditioner been cycled over the last couple of cooling seasons?

2019 - A/C on load control was cycled on 5 dates totaling 23 hours - 5 full load control events, cycling 2 p.m - 6 p.m.
2018 - A/C on load control was cycled on 9 dates totaling 42 hours - 9 full load control events, cycling 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
2017 - A/C on load control was cycled on 6 dates totaling 26 hours - 5  full load control events, cycling  2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  The other day cycled after 6 p.m.
2016 - A/C on load control was cycled on 14 dates totaling 56 hours - 6 full load control events, cycling 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.  The other 8 days, cycling after 6 p.m.
2015 - A/C on load control was cycled on 10 dates totaling 39.5 hours - 7 full load control events, cycling 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.  The other 3 days, economic control, cycling after 6 p.m.

Would you like to receive a load control notification?

Do you have baseboard heat only?  Geothermal heat only?

If you would like to receive a notification of a load control event please fill out the form on the load management page to enroll.

Once enrolled Dairyland Power will send out a phone call, email, or text message as you requested.  These alerts are sent out usually no earlier than 1-2 hours before the scheduled load control event.

If you have electric heat with no automatic backup heat source you may wish to receive these notifications to allow you to turn up the heat for an hour or so prior to your baseboard or geothermal system being shut off.

Load Control Notification Enrollment

Load Control Notification fieldset
Notification method (check all that apply)
Notification method
Terms Agreement
I agree to receive periodic SMS messages from Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative at the number(s) identified above. I understand that SMS messages may relay information about my account, and that I can opt-out of receiving SMS messages at any time. I am not required to provide consent as a condition of purchasing any property, goods or services. Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative does not guarantee delivery of SMS messages and no warranty is provided for undelivered messages. I agree to notify Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative immediately in the event that I voluntarily or involuntarily relinquish any registered telephone number(s). I agree to indemnify Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative against any claims resulting from Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative sending SMS messages to someone other than me, in the event that I voluntarily or involuntarily relinquish telephone number(s) identified above without notifying Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative of the change, and understand that I am responsible for keeping Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative informed when any of my contact information changes. 

Message and Data Rates May Apply
 
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  • My Electric Account
    • Capital Credits
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    • Payment Options
    • Rates, Fees and Deposits
    • Security Lights
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    • Start or Stop Service
    • Understanding Your Bill
    • Update Your Contact Information
  • Energy Savers & Solutions
    • Beat the Peak
    • Do the Summer Shift
    • Electric Grid & Meter Upgrade
    • E-Vehicle Charger
    • ETS Unit
    • Energy Saver Videos
    • How to Spot a High Bill with SmartHub
    • Load Management
    • Lower Your Energy Bill
    • Mini Boiler
    • Off-Peak
    • Rebates
    • Stray Voltage
    • Use Energy Wisely Guide & 101 Ways to Save
    • Water Heater
  • Community
    • Co-op Scholarships
    • Diggers Hotline
    • Economic Development
    • Electric Safety
    • Gift Cards
    • Kids Activity Page
    • License to Live Drivers Safety
    • Operation Round Up
    • Power Line Safety Demo
    • Youth Tour
  • My Co-op
    • 2020 Annual Meeting Report
    • About Us
    • Audit and Bylaws
    • Board of Directors
    • Co-op History & Timeline
    • Employment Opportunities
    • General Manager Blog
    • Legal & Privacy Statements
    • Mission, Values, Principles
    • Newsletter
    • Polk-Burnett Policies
    • Right-of-Way Program
  • Go Green
    • E-Vehicles
    • Energy Supply & Renewables
    • Evergreen 100% Green Facility
    • Evergreen Renewable Energy Blocks
    • Geothermal Energy
    • Home Solar and Wind
    • Paperless Billing
    • Protect the Karner Blue Butterfly
    • SunTuria Solar Tours
    • SunTuria Solar