Electric Thermal Storage Heating
Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) is the technology of converting off-peak electricity to heat and storing this low cost heat for use in satisfying comfort requirements of a home or business 24 hours a day.
Please Note - If you've signed a contract to purchase your electricity from a retailer, you are not eligible for "Time-of-Use" rates. Without "Time-of-Use" rates there is no benefit to having ETS heaters. If you are unsure if you are signed to a contract please call Greater Sudbury Hydro at 705-675-0517 to confirm before purchasing or installing heaters.
An ETS system contains electric heating elements which lie within special, heat storage medium (ceramic bricks, paraffin wax etc.). The heat storage medium is capable of storing vast amounts of heat for extended periods of time. During off-peak hours, the elements generate the heat that is stored. This stored heat is used to satisfy immediate heating requirements and to provide total comfort during peak hours. Off-peak hours are the times of day or night when the province has excess energy supply due to low demand. On-peak hours are those times when the province's demand for electricity is high. Greater Sudbury Hydro offers reduced rates on electricity consumed during off-peak times. It is these reduced rates that allow ETS to provide considerable savings to consumers on their energy bills as compared to alternative heating options.
Link to Ontario Energy Board Time-of-Use periods and prices:
How does the Program work?
If the primary source of heat in your home is from electric resistive heaters, Greater Sudbury Hydro will provide an incentive equal to 75% of the purchase price of the heaters, to residential customers (invoices and proof of payment required), up to a maximum of $2500.00 (some conditions apply), to retrofit the existing electrically heated home with an ETS heating system. Once the ETS units are installed and operating, a Greater Sudbury Hydro representative will inspect the installation. If the installation is satisfactory the incentive will be paid. Participants will be put on Time of Use Pricing.
We require copies of the detailed material invoice and proof of payment.
Download Incentive Agreement
Retrofits only, some conditions apply.
Direct ETS Program "Incentive" Questions to: (705)-675-0517
Heater installation and operation questions should be directed to an ETS retailer
VIEW CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS
Frequently Asked Questions
I have never heard of ETS. Is this new?
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Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) has been in the United States since the early-70's, and has been utilized in Europe dating back to the 1940's. Even though it may be relatively new in your area, this technology has been proven in many areas across North America to deliver high comfort at low operating costs.
ETS is a technology whereby off-peak electricity is stored as heat which is used for heating 24-hours a day. Greater Sudbury Hydro offers an off-peak electric rate option that provides more than 50% savings off of the standard electric rate for energy used during off-peak hours. ETS equipment utilizes the low off-peak electric rate to store a sufficient amount of heat to meet your needs. ETS equipment available today include room heating units, whole house heating systems, heat pump boosters and water heaters. When combined with an off-peak, Time of Use electricity rate, ETS equipment has the ability to deliver great comfort at low operating costs. Many times, off-peak heating is the best cost option for heating.
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There are several ETS options available for residential homes. Individual room heating units can be used either alone or in conjunction with electric baseboard, cove heaters, etc. Room Units are also used to replace wood stoves. The other option is a centrally ducted stand alone furnace system, generally used as a whole house heating system. Since space heating generally consumes the most energy in the home, significant savings can be realized using ETS equipment with off-peak electric rates.
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There are several factors involved in determining the correct size(s) of equipment for your home. A heat loss calculation should be performed in order to determine the appropriate model(s). The quality of home construction (insulation values), number & size of windows and doors, and number of off-peak hours available are all factors involved in making this determination.
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1. Forced Air & Hydronic Systems:
· Northern Air Climate Service – 669-4328
· North Sales Agency Inc – 566-0148
2. Room Units:
· At Home Energy – 675-0525
· Jules Loiselle - 662-1024
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Cost of operation is directly related to the amount of heat loss the unit is asked to satisfy, and the off-peak heating rate available. The ETS equipment is 100% efficient like most electric heating systems; therefore, electric consumption will be very similar. However, with the off-peak electricity rate being offered by Greater Sudbury Hydro usually provide significant savings over standard electric and most fossil fuel systems.
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The ETS equipment is generally sized to satisfy the heating requirements on the coldest days of the year. If sized properly, the equipment will satisfy the owners desired comfort at all times. The storage core in the equipment is well insulated so static heat dissipation is minimized. The heating equipment has the ability to discharge heat even while it is storing heat during off-peak hours.
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The ETS equipment is well insulated so the majority of the heat is retained in the heat storage medium cavity until needed. There is some heat radiated from the heater; however, this usually goes into the conditioned space of the home.
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Discharge of heat from the ETS equipment is automatically controlled with fans/blowers. These fans/blowers operate as needed to satisfy the heating requirements of the area as sensed by a room temperature thermostat. When there is a need for heat, the room thermostat signals the fans/blowers to operate and discharge heat. When the heating requirement has been satisfied, the fans/blowers turn off
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In the unlikely event the heater stored an insufficient amount of heat, the heater will operate. If this occurs frequently, it may be an indication the ETS system is undersized for the application and it may be necessary to install additional equipment.
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Like most electric heating systems, ETS systems require very little maintenance. It is suggested to regularly clean around the heater and make sure no debris falls behind the equipment. In addition, on centrally ducted systems, regularly replace the air filter so optimum efficiency can be maintained.
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