When Ed and Mary Otto built their home north of Dassel in 1980, they were planning for more than just a place to raise their three children. They were building for the future. “At the time, Meeker didn’t have any energy management programs yet,” Ed recalls. “But our electrician said, ‘We’re going to wire your house for it anyway.’”
That foresight paid off. Within a few years, when Meeker Energy introduced its off-peak water heating program, the Ottos were ready and among the first members to sign up. Back then, electric thermal storage looked a little different. To meet storage needs, the Ottos installed two traditional water heaters to provide 100 gallons of capacity. When one eventually failed in the early 2000s, they replaced both with a 105-gallon Marathon electric water heater, and they’ve been using it ever since. “We raised our three kids here,” Mary says. “There were five of us, and sometimes 15 or 20 people in the house. We never ran out of hot water.”
Today, their water heater continues to operate on Meeker Energy’s peak-shave water heater program, that allows the Co-op to turn off the water heater during peak demand times. In exchange for allowing the Cooperative to control when certain appliances operate, members receive discounted electric rates. The Ottos didn’t stop at water heating. Over the years, they added electric thermal storage heat with brick units that charge overnight, electric radiant ceiling heat, and more recently, an air-source heat pump with LP backup. Most of their interruptible equipment runs through a separate 200-amp service dedicated to load management. “I think we use everything they have to offer,” Ed laughs.
Meeker Energy’s Energy Management programs are designed to reduce strain on the regional grid during periods of peak demand. When wholesale power costs spike, often during extreme cold, the Cooperative can temporarily interrupt participating loads like electric water heaters, thermal storage heat, or dual fuel systems. For members, the tradeoff is clear: lower rates year-round in exchange for occasional, short-term interruptions.
The Ottos have experienced both the benefits and the realities of that partnership. In the early years, interruptions were maybe three or four times a month,” Ed says. “Now, with higher loads, we see more of them, and sometimes for longer stretches.” But the Ottos see that as simply part of the partnership. Their system is built to handle it. When their electric heat was off one January from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., their LP backup automatically took over without any effort on their part. “We’re glad we have the backup,” Mary says. “But even in winter, we only use about 60 to 80 gallons of LP. Electricity still carries almost everything.” The savings speak for themselves: even during one of the coldest recent months, their total electric bill was under $400, covering heating, hot water, and all household usage, while summer bills often drop below $100. “Electricity has been stable long term,” Ed notes. “Living in the country, we don’t have natural gas. This has worked very well for us.”
For the Ottos, participation in Energy Management isn’t just about savings. It’s about trust. One frigid night, when temperatures dipped 20 to 25 degrees below zero, they woke up to a cold house. A control panel issue had prevented their system from coming back online after an interruption. “We called the emergency number at two in the morning,” Ed says. “They walked me through it over the phone.” By early the next morning, their electrician had picked up the needed part from Meeker Energy and restored heat before 7:30 a.m. “You can’t call most places any time of day or night and get that kind of help,” Mary says. “That’s outstanding service.”
The Ottos’ involvement goes beyond their own home. They are participating in Meeker Energy’s Co-op 101 program, an educational course designed to help members better understand how their Cooperative operates, from power supply and rates to governance and community programs. “We would highly recommend it,” Mary says. “You meet employees, you learn how everything works, and you understand why rates have to go up sometimes.” Ed currently serves on the Electric Trust board, helping distribute member-donated funds to local organizations, and the couple has also participated in generation plant tours that gave them firsthand insight into how the energy landscape is changing. “It’s eye-opening,” he says. “You don’t realize all the good happening in your own community.” When asked what they would tell someone considering enrollment in an Energy Management program, Ed doesn’t hesitate. “I would highly recommend it,” he says. “The storage water heating is great. The Marathon tank, you’re probably buying your last water heater. And we love the heat pump. It’s efficient, it’s comfortable, and it’s been a smart decision.” After more than four decades as members, the Ottos describe Meeker Energy in simple terms: “Friendly. Knowledgeable. Outstanding.” Their story is a reminder that when members and their Cooperative plan for the future together, the benefits can last a lifetime.