Summer’s almost here and that translates into higher electric bills as we cool our homes and increase energy usage. Here are four steps you can take now to prep for summer so you can save energy while still staying cool.

Give Your A/C some TLC

Your air conditioner has been hibernating through the mild Arizona winter, but the dog days of summer already are ramping up. That means it’s time to get a tune-up for your HVAC system before the extreme heat is upon us.

A/C tune-ups benefit both your equipment and your wallet. Tune-ups ensure the unit is operating optimally, reducing strain on the A/C and keeping your monthly electric bill more stable.

An A/C tune-up generally takes about an hour and includes:

• a check of the condenser coils
• an inspection of your ductwork
• a check of the blower motor and belt
• calibrating your thermostat
• and lubricating parts to prevent friction.

To help you get a jump on summer, UniSource, through its participating contractor network, is offering spring HVAC Tune Up rebates. Go to uesaz.com/efficient-home-program/ for more information or to sign up for a free virtual home assessment.

Track your usage with My Energy Usage.

With our online energy tracker, My Energy Usage, you can review your daily and hourly consumption and compare it to your historic usage. You can also review on-peak, off-peak, and demand usage for the month. Log in to your UniSource account online or via the mobile app to get started. Learning about your energy habits and usage patterns can help you save energy and determine which of our pricing plans might be the best fit. Learn more about our Time-of-Use and other flexible pricing plans that reward energy conservation during times of high energy demand. Want to talk through your options? A member of our Customer Care team can walk you through whether any of our plans are a good fit for how you use energy. Call us at 1-877-837-4968.

Consider paying the same amount each month.

Managing your budget is a lot easier when you know how much your bills are in advance. Most of us pay lower winter bills and then higher summer bills when we use our air conditioning units more.

With Budget Billing, you’ll pay the same each month all year long, so you’ll know ahead of time how much to set aside for energy costs regardless of the season. Learn more in this video and read about our customers’ experience with the program: Sign up here.

Beat the Heat (and the Bugs)

The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat from entering in the first place. Spring is a great time to inspect your home’s weatherstripping and insulation. Conduct a thorough check of all exterior doors and windows. Any gaps mean cool air is escaping your home and probably letting bugs it, too! Caulk around window frames and any exterior wall penetrations like pipes, vents, and electrical equipment. Access your attic and check your insulation, adding to it as needed.

Make sure to change the direction of your ceiling fan blades as well. In the summer months, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to circulate cool air and push it downward, making you more comfortable without flipping on the A/C.

You can see videos, checklists and other tips on our energy saving resource page.