Assumptions

Following are assumptions used as a basis for calculations in Nodak Electric's Off-Peak Savings Calculator. To return to the calculator, or view other information related to off-peak savings, click on the links to the right.

Efficiency or COP:
The COP, or Coefficient of Performance, is also a measure of system efficiency. The higher the COP, the more energy-efficient the system.

Desuperheater Hot Water Savings:
60% provided by desuperheater, average 500 Kwhs/month
(Click here for details on desuperheaters and geothermal systems.)

Geothermal Savings on Air Conditioning:
Standard usage of 2000 Kwh/Year.
Efficiency reduces usage by 50% @ 5.4¢/Kwh

City Franchise Tax Savings:
2% of the total savings from heating, cooling, and water heating.

State Tax Savings:
2% of reduced expenses of natural gas.

Fuel Prices:
• The natural gas price is based on actual costs from three homes in Grand Forks from September 2000 to August 2001.
• The propane price is based on 12 months of usage of Grand Forks area prices from September 2000 to August 2001.
• The fuel oil price is based on 12-month average of Grand Forks area prices from September 2000 to August 2001.

Other
• The geothermal and standard off-peak systems provide 95% of the heating requirements; the backup system provides 5%.
• The air-source system provides 50% of the heating requirements; the backup system provides 50%.
• The backup fuel source is the same as the source being used in the comparison.

DOES NOT include property tax or state income tax savings for geothermal systems.
(Click here for tax savings details.)