Backup Relief

South Dakota electric heat customers can save with our Backup Relief rates. Get big savings on your energy bill. To enroll, you must have:

• A primary electric heat source including baseboard, boiler, heat pump or furnace
• A backup fossil fuel source such as fuel oil, propane or natural gas
• Each source by itself (primary and backup) must be able to meet 100% of your heating needs

Save up to half on your electric base rates by allowing us to control (interrupt) your primary electric heat source during peak heating times (October  - May). During an interruption, you must be able to switch to your backup heat source automatically. These control periods can last for several hours.

You can also add your electric water heater and save even more. Since interruptions may last longer than 12 hours for water heaters, we recommend at least 100 gallons of hot water storage capacity.

If you have a heat pump and use it for cooling in the summer, you may choose to have it controlled like other equipment (it will be switched off for several hours) normally or not at all during the summer and pay a higher rate from June – September. You may also want to consider our Heat Pump program (see Additional information below).

In order to join, you must also hire a licensed electrician at your own expense to install a second meter and control switch on their property. The estimated cost for this installation is about $1,500 - $2,000.

When you have an electric heat source and a fossil fuel back up, Backup Relief is a great option. With Back Relief, you can

• Potentially cut your electric base rates in half during peak heating times.
• Stay comfortable since the switch to your other heat source occurs automatically.

Rates

Choose the rate that best meets your needs and situation:

• Standard Backup Relief Rate
• Optional Summer Cooling Rate (for Heat Pump owners)

Select the Standard Backup Relief rate, if you have a backup fossil fuel heat source and your primary source is an electric.

• Baseboard
• Boiler
• Heat pump
• Furnace

How will the Standard Backup Relief rate affect the interruption (control) of your equipment?

• Winter (Oct - May) we will interrupt (control) the primary electric heat source and anything else wired into this meter for several hours during control periods.
• Summer (June - Sept) we may interrupt (control) anything wired into this meter, such as a water heater, for several hours. This includes your heat pump.

The Standard Backup Relief rate charged on this meter is the same all year round. If you have a heat pump used for cooling in the summer, you can also try the Optional Summer Cooling rate or our Heat Pump program (see Additional information below).

Standard Backup Relief Rate

Select the Optional Summer Cooling rate, if you:

• Use an electric heat pump for both heating and cooling
• Have a backup heat source and
• Want your heat pump available without any interruption during the summer 

How will the Optional Summer Cooling rate affect the interruption (control) of your equipment?

• Winter (Oct - May) we will interrupt (control) the primary electric heat source and anything else wired into this meter for several hours during control periods. This includes your heat pump.
• Summer (June - Sept) we will not interrupt (control) anything wired into this meter. This includes your heat pump allowing you to cool your home as desired.

The Optional Summer Cooling rate charged on this meter is lower in the winter and higher in the summer. You pay a higher rate in the summer than customers using the Standard Backup Relief Rate or those in our Heat Pump program because you are not interrupted at all from June – September.

If you have a heat pump used for cooling in the summer and want to save more on your summer rate, you can also try our Heat Pump program (see Additional information below).

Optional Summer Cooling Rates (For heat pump owners)

Note: Rates are subject to riders/adjustments (such as fuel costs), city fees, taxes and other charges where applicable. Rates may change upon approval your state’s energy agency. See rate information on your state for more details.

To qualify, you must:

• Be an electric customer of Xcel Energy in South Dakota.
• Have permanently connected interruptible loads of up to 50 kW.
• Have an electric primary heat source: baseboard, boiler, heat pump or furnace.
• Have a back-up fossil fuel heat source: fuel oil, propane, or natural gas (no fireplaces or stoves) that:
  • Is able to run more than 12 hours.
  • Has enough back-up fuel on site to supply 30% of your heating needs.
  • Supplies 100% of your heating needs when the primary source is interrupted
• Purchase the correct duplex meter socket and hire a licensed electrician to install it and the control switch according to our specifications (see Qualifying Equipment below for more details).

To enroll in the Backup Relief program:

• For new constructions, call the Builders Call Line (BCL) at 1-800-628-2121.
• For residential customers, call 1-800-895-4999.

You must participate for a minimum of one year from date of enrollment. Choose the rate that applies to your situation (see Benefits section above for rates).

You must have dual fuel for heating including a primary electric heat source and an alternative fossil fuel source. Both sources separately must be able to provide 100% of your heating needs.

You must also hire a licensed electrician at your own expense to install a second meter and the control switch. The estimated cost for this installation is about $1,500 - $2,000.

Your primary electric heat source must be:

• Baseboard
• Boiler
• Heat pump
• Furnace

Your back-up fossil fuel source must be fuel oil, propane, or natural gas (no fireplaces or stoves) that:

• Can run more than 12 hours.
• Has enough back-up fuel on site to supply 30% of your heating needs.
• Supplies 100% of your heating needs when the primary source is interrupted.

Installation Requirements

In order to participate in Backup Relief, you must hire a licensed installer (electrician/HVAC contractor) at your own expense to:

• Install a duplex (two-position) meter socket with a heavy-duty, lever-actuated bypass mechanism on your service entrance.
  • The meter socket must be UL listed and labeled.
  • Used in accordance with its labeling and installed per the 2002 National Electric Code.
  • Estimated cost for installation is about $1,500 - $2,000.
• Wire the heating systems together so the switchover from electric to back-up heat occurs automatically during energy-control periods especially when you are away.
• Refer to complete meter socket details and specification in our Xcel Energy Standard for Electrical Installation and Use Manual.
  • See Additional information for meter specifications.
  • Call the Builders Call Line at 1-800-628-2121 to request a copy.
  • Call our Electric Meter Department at 1-800-422-0782, option 2 regarding any technical meter socket specifications or installation questions.
• Separate your electric heating load from the rest of your home electric supply. The electric heating load and home electric supply should be metered separately, so we can interrupt operation of electric heat without disrupting electricity supplied for other purposes.
• Install a radio-controlled switch we provide that regulates your heating activity during control periods. Installation instructions are included with the switch. Only one switch is provided.
• Contact our Electric Meter Department at 1-800-422-0782, option 2 for any technical questions about the installation of the radio-controlled switch.

We recommend including a manual switchover device to test both heating systems before winter begins.

If you have any questions regarding the Back-up Relief program, please call 1-800-895-4999.