You may be eligible to participate if:

• You are a Flathead Electric Cooperative member.
• Your service must be fed from the Libby, Kootenai, or Haskill substations (Generally if you live in the Libby or Marion to Kila areas you may be eligible.) Click here for a full map of eligible areas.

How does the project work?

If you are selected to participate, a FEC representative will contact you to schedule a time to come to your home to install the necessary equipment. We'll explain what will happen at times of peak electricity demand, and how you can help your cooperative to assure there's enough affordable electricity for all of us in the future. For member homes that use electricity as their primary heat source, you are also eligible for a free home energy audit to learn more about how you can save money on your electric bills.

Participation in the project is voluntary. Members may participate in only one option.

Those who elect to participate in options 1 or 2 below will receive a $5 or $8 monthly bill credit, respectively.

For options 1 and 3 listed below, FEC will make available an annual rebate of $4/kW for the difference between the highest hourly demand during each Peak Time Period below the members' highest hourly demand during the entire month. The annual rebate works like this - if the participating member's electricity consumption is lower during the Peak Time period than their highest consumption during the rest of the month then they will receive a $4 rebate for each kilowatt difference, accumulated every month and paid annually as a bill rebate. In no case will the minimum billing be less than the total sum of the basic charge for the year after accounting for the Peak Time monthly participation credit. The annual Peak Time Rebate is dependent upon sufficient hourly meter data availability as part of the demonstration.

There are three options for participating:

Option #1 In Home Display Unit

$5 Monthly participation credit. Free In-Home Display (a $200 value) that will display real time information about your energy consumption and notify you of Peak Time Periods when FEC needs to reduce demands on the system. In-Home Displays (IHD) come pre-programmed and simply plug into a convenient outlet. Eligible for the $4/kW rebate based on demands during Peak Time periods.

OR

Option #2 Electric Water Heater Demand Response Unit

$8 Monthly participation credit. Free Electric Water Heater Demand Response Unit, which will cycle automatically during Peak Time Periods to reduce demands on the system. At these times, the water heaters in participating homes would also be cycled off and on for up to three hours, but with the average capacity and insulation of today's hot water heaters, participants may not even notice. (Members have the option to cease the cycling of their water heater or "opt out" for a designated period of time by contacting their FEC representative. In the event of an "opt out", the monthly participation credit may be suspended for the "opt out" month.) Home owners or renters may participate in this option and the location must be the primary residence of the participating member. Participating members who rent their location must have the express written consent of the landlord or property owner to participate.

OR

Option #3 Home Energy Network

For a one-time out of pocket cost of $800 the member will receive one dishwasher, one clothes washer, one clothes dryer, one Home Energy Gateway System, three Communications Modules, (one for each appliance), and one GE Water Heater Switch. FEC will be responsible for installation of the communication equipment and delivery and set-up of the appliance. Any upgrade or remodeling of member home, including but not limited too structure and electrical components needed to accommodate appliance installation will be the sole responsibility of the member. Members must be home owners and the location must be their primary residence in order to participate in this option. Eligible for the $4/kW rebate is based on demands during Peak Time periods.

If you are interested in participating in any of the three available options or have further questions, contact Teri at the Libby office located at 121 W 4th Street or call 293-7122 ext. 1834 or 751-1834 or .

Click here to see GE Appliances

Frequently Asked Questions