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"For an asphalt plant using 75 gallons/day in the summer and 100 gallons/day in the winter - with diesel at a cost of $3.70, like it was in the summer of 2008 - the fuel cost would be $277/day in summer and $370/day in winter.

"The electric cost is about $0.11/KW - which is typical, and even lower rates can be achieved using off peak hours and by controlling demand - so with a 140kW heater running around 4 hours/day (summer) and 6 hours/day (winter), the electric cost would be $62/day (summer) and $92/day (winter)."

Best of both worlds

At F & R, the plant still maintains its diesel-fired heater as well as the electric, so the plant can switch back and forth between the two, depending on which system will reap the most cost savings.

"We have both heaters in place," says Faucett. "We installed the electric when fuel was nearly $4 a gallon. But we have the option to go back to the electric if fuel prices start creeping up again."

F & R has installed a second electric heater at its Easley plant, which was just getting ready to go on line at this printing. Faucett has high expectations for the heater.