In 1912 the city of Brainerd, MN and Cuyuna Range Power Company signed a contract to furnish power to the city, then along came American Power and Light Company which through its subsidiary, Minnesota Power and Light, Duluth, bought Cuyuna Range properties and furnished electricity to Brainerd. Brainerd has continued to receive its electricity from Minnesota Power.

Brainerd Public Utilities provides many other services including renewable energy programs like "WindSense" (wind generators) and CIP (Conservation Incentive Program). Informative newsletters like Watts News with information on water and power conservation, cut cost tips, safety issues, and customer service.

The new Service Center (pictured above) is heated by a 1,900,000 BTU heat pump. 50 degree F. Gray water is pumped from the wastewater treatment plant to this heat pump. The heat pump extracts heat from the gray water and increases the temperature of a clean water loop to 130 degrees F.

Approximately 20,000 feet of heat piping is installed in the concrete slab floors of the shops, garages and offices. The 130 degree F. water is circulated through this heat piping for heating of all building spaces.

More and more homes and businesses are utilizing hydronics/geothermal for heating not only because of it's reliable, efficient heating. But also because it is non-polluting and the yearly savings will pay for itself in a few years.

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Hydronics/Geothermal heating is available to almost everyone. Depending on the size or type of the heat source, many systems can also efficiently melt ice or snow on sidewalks and driveways.

In a liquid or "Hydronic" radiant heating system, a heat source such as a heat pump or a boiler, produces warm water. These systems generally operate from 80°F to 120°F. Warm liquid is circulated through PEX tubing in the floors which heats the room evenly. Since the liquid has to transfer some of it's heat to the room, by the time it reaches the end of the loop, it's temperature has dropped. The cooled liquid is then re-circulated through the heat source and the cycle continues.