Off-Peak Water Heater Credit/Rebate
If you have an 80 gallon or larger water heater, sign up for our off-peak water heater program. Your water heater will only be energized from 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM. You will receive a $10 per month credit on your electric bill.
Have all the hot water you need while saving money each month
Q. What does Off-Peak mean?
A. An Off-Peak Water Heater Program is designed to shift electric water heater loads from the expensive high use period during the day to the less expensive low usage period at night. The savings resulting from this shift are shared with the customers participating in the program.
Q. Why would I want to heat my water only during the nighttime on the Off-Peak Program?
A. By heating water each night from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the Willmar Municipal Utilities (WMU) will credit $10 to your account each month.
Q. Who is eligible for this program?
A. This program is for those who have or will have an electric water heater with a storage capacity of 80 gallons or more.
Q. How do I qualify to receive a rebate on a new electric water heater?
A. To receive the Off-Peak rebates you must:
- Replace a gas water heater with an electric unit. (For an electric-to-electric change out, see note below.)
- Purchase an electric water heater with a lifetime warranted tank.
- Have a water heater with at least 80 gallons of storage capacity.
- Connect to our Off-Peak Program equipment.
Q. What incentive is there to switch to an electric water heater?
A. After pre-approval has been received and requirements A–D (above) have been met, turn a copy of the water heater purchase and installation receipt in to WMU. You will receive a rebate check for $100 for converting from gas to an electric water heater plus $1.25 per gallon capacity of the water heater. Rebates and credit are not dispensed until the installation of the water heater and Off-Peak equipment is completed, and approved.
Example:
Purchase a 105-gallon electric water heater to replace an existing gas water heater
Rebate = $100 + ($1.25 x 105 gallons)
Rebate = $231.25
Note:
The $100 rebate is NOT available for an electric-to-electric change out. However, you do receive the $1.25 per gallon capacity rebate when you purchase an 80 gallon or larger, lifetime warranted tank water heater and connect to our Off-Peak program.
When the installation of a qualifying water heater and the Off-Peak equipment is complete, send a copy of your paid receipt for the water heater and it’s installation to the Energy Services Department at the WMU, P.O. Box 937, Willmar, MN 56201. (The electrician will bill us for the electrical expenses incurred to install our Off-Peak equipment). A rebate check will then be mailed to you.
Q. What are my costs?
A. You responsibility includes the expense of the water heater (minus the rebates), the cost of the water heater installation (plumbing and electrical), and any future water heater maintenance. The equipment and installation necessary to connect the water heater to the Off-Peak Program is paid for by Willmar Municipal Utilities.