Water Heater Load Management

The Controlled Water Heating (CWH) program offers monthly billing credits for cooperative members with an electric water heater.

Do I qualify?
CWH credits are available to homeowners whose sole source of water heating is an electric water heater. The homeowner must be taking monthly service under Rate Schedules A or GS (single phase service). The electric water heater must be at least 30 gallons in size. No timers, remote controls or other devices can be used on the water heater. One discount is given per meter regardless of the number of water heaters registering on a single meter.

How often would the electric water heater be controlled?
Our power supplier is not currently controlling water heaters. Should they decide to begin controlling again, you will be notified so that we can install a LMT switch in your home.The water heater can be controlled up to 3 hours per day for water heaters 30-49 gallons, up to 4 hours per day for water heaters 50-79 gallons and up to 6 hours per day for water heaters 80 gallons or larger.

What is the monthly billing credit?
Members on the CWH program will receive a monthly billing credit of $4.50 for a 30-49 gallon water heater, $6 for a 50-79 gallon water heater or $7.50 for an 80 gallon or larger.

How do I get the discount?
You first need to sign a customer service agreement that allows us to control your electric water heater. The minimum period of service is for one year.

Then what?
After you return the signed agreement, we will contact you to schedule a time to install our control device on your water heater. Installations are not being performed at the present time. You will receive the credit on your bill after we receive your signed contract. By signing the contract you agree to allow us to install the control device at a later date. There is no charge for the installation.

Why do you need to control my water heater?
We control it to help lower our cost for buying power which allows the savings to return to you as a monthly billing credit.

Does GLE sell electric water heaters too?
Yes, we offer rebates for the purchase of a Marathon electric water heater through one of our participating contractors.

Are there any months I won’t get a credit?
You will not receive a CWH credit if your bill has been estimated or you have used less than 350 kWh a month.