An Otter Tail Company

General questions

Frequently asked by customers

Where is the Otter Tail Power Company headquarters located?
Our address is 215 South Cascade Street, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
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How do I contact Otter Tail Power Company? Call 1-800-257-4044 to reach a customer service representative. Or visit the Contact information page for more information.
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Where is the nearest Otter Tail Power Company office?

To find a location near your home or office, go to the Contact information page on this web site that lists our Customer Service Center locations.
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What are your business hours?

Our Customer Service Centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Telephone customer service is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-257-4044.
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How can I provide feedback to Otter Tail Power Company?

We welcome your suggestions on how to improve our service to you! Visit the Contact us page on this web site to share your observations and comments.
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When will I receive a response to email sent to Otter Tail Power Company?

In most cases, we respond to customers within two business days.
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How do I contact Otter Tail Power Company's Idea Center?

Our Idea Center representatives are available to assist you from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 1-800-493-3299 or by email.
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Where should I send my monthly electric service payment?

Please mail your payment to:

Remittance Processing Center
Otter Tail Power Company
PO Box 6000
Wahpeton, ND 58074-6000

Send a check or money order to pay for your electric service. We are not responsible for any cash payments sent through the mail. If possible, use the envelope included with your bill and make sure the Otter Tail Power Company address is showing through the window. Include your payment stub in the envelope and write your account number on your check.
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What do I do if the power goes out?

You can report an outage by calling us at 1-800-257-4044. Before reporting an outage, check your own fuses and appliances to be sure the problem isn't with your equipment.

When  you report an outage, we'll ask you a few questions. Your answers help us determine the location and the extent of the trouble. Please take the time to see if neighboring homes or businesses have power and note any unusual occurrences, such as a loud noise when the power went off, nearby lightning, storm damage, or construction crews working in the area.

If your power goes off at night, use a flashlight for emergency lighting. Do not use candles because they can cause a fire if they come in contact with upholstery, curtains, or other flammable materials.
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Why do my lights sometimes blink during a storm?

The power lines that serve your home or business have a variety of protective devices designed to keep your power on during storms and other severe weather. There are several reasons your lights might blink during a storm, but the most common cause is tree movement. Despite our best efforts to trim trees near power lines, trees may come in contact with our lines during strong winds. When that happens your lights may dim or you may lose power for a few seconds. It's important that our customers allow us to trim trees near power lines to minimize these types of disruptions.
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How fast is power restored to my home or business?

We concentrate our initial restoration efforts in the areas that restore electricity to the greatest number of people in the shortest period of time. We also place emphasis on vital community services, such as hospitals, emergency services, public safety, and water and sewage stations. Please be patient as we work to restore your service as soon as we possible.
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How are trees managed around power lines?  

Our tree-trimming contractors are trained to work around power lines and trim trees in accordance to nationally accepted pruning standards. The National Arbor Day Foundation promotes "Plant the right tree in the right place," which Otter Tail Power Company fully endorses. Only low growing tree species should be planted around power lines, eliminating the need for these trees to be trimmed. Trimming trees is an inefficient solution for maintaining clearances to power lines. Problem trees must be retrimmed, which often ruins the appearance and sometimes the long-term health of the tree.  Sometimes, if a tree has caused repeated safety problems or power outages, we need to remove it completely.
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Where can I find information about Otter Tail Power Company rates?

Rate information is available on this web site under Electric rates.
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What is the difference between residential and commercial rates?
Residential rates apply to single-family dwellings, apartments, and mobile homes that have permanent facilities for sleeping, bathing, and cooking. Commercial rates apply to large buildings or extra facilities (i.e., garages, shops, or barns) used for business purposes, hobbies, or storage without permanent facilities for sleeping, bathing, and cooking.
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Do you dispose of old electrical appliances?

No. Otter Tail Power Company no longer offers an appliance disposal program. If you need to get rid of an appliance, contact a used appliance dealer in your area or visit the Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. web site, which does have an appliance turn in program.
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What electrical equipment does Otter Tail Power Company fix and what am I responsible for?

Otter Tail Power Company is responsible for maintaining equipment located from the distribution line up to the point of attachment and the meter. The point of attachment for an overhead service is the weather head. The point of attachment for an underground service is the line side of the meter socket. Customers are responsible for maintaining the meter socket, conduit, and electrical wires to the home.

Otter Tail Power Company employees are trained to maintain its equipment but are not licensed to make repairs to customers' equipment or appliances. Only a licensed electrician should repair appliances and make wiring improvements.
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What is a seasonal customer?

A seasonal customer has a residence, such as a summer lake cottage, that they live in only part of the year. We bill seasonal customers for the number of months each season that they use the residence or cottage (but not less than four months) plus a seasonal fixed charge of $5, which is included in the first bill of the season. We usually read meters and send a bill during June, July, August, and September. Sometimes we read meters at other times during the year and send a bill if the energy recorded on the meter exceeds 100 kilowatt-hours. The electricity stays on year round.
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What is a demand charge?

Demand is the total energy being used by a customer at any given instant. Demand is measured in kilowatts (kw). Demand over a period of time (demand x time/hours) is measured in kilowatt hours. [20 kw (demand) x 3 hours (time) = 60 kwh.] Serving customers with high demand costs Otter Tail Power Company more. Large commercial and industrial customers can see large savings on their electric bill by keeping their demand low.
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