By June, our summer heat is already softening our asphalt, turning seat belt locks into branding irons and making your air conditioner the hardest-working appliance in your home. The result? Higher electric bills.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to choose between comfort and cost. With a handful of smart moves (and a little help from UniSource) you can keep your cool without watching your budget melt.
Tame Your Bill with Budget Billing
Think of Budget Billing as autopilot for your electric bill. Instead of navigating bill spikes every summer, you pay a steady monthly amount based on your yearly average. No surprises, just a predictable bill, even when it’s 110°F outside.
Know Thyself: Track Your Usage with My Energy Usage
As the saying goes, knowledge is power. Our online tracker, My Energy Usage, lets you review your daily and hourly electricity consumption, compare it to your historical usage, and identify the patterns that are driving your bill.
To access it, log in to your account online or through the mobile app, select the “Billing and Payment” tab, and choose “My Energy Usage.” You can review on-peak, off-peak, and demand usage for any given month.
Understanding your energy habits can also help you decide whether a Time-of-Use or other flexible pricing plan might save you money.
What’s Time-of-Use? It’s a billing plan that rewards you for shifting your energy usage to off-peak hours. If you can shift chores to mornings or evenings, you might pay less overall.
But be realistic: if some members of your household will resist energy conservation during on-peak periods, Time-of-Use may not be the best option.
Tap into Rebates and Tools
UniSource offers a host of energy-saving help, such as rebates on efficient upgrades and room-by-room tips to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Give your AC a Tune-Up
In the summer, think of your air conditioner as an elite endurance athlete. A professional tune-up ensures it will operate smoothly and even extend its life. Bonus! Regular maintenance can boost its efficiency from 5 to 15 percent, which translates to lower electric bills. Don’t forget to check out our rebates.
Nudge the Thermostat Up
78°F is the Goldilocks zone for comfort. Each degree higher can shave about 10% off cooling costs. Bonus move: pre-cool your home earlier in the day, then ease up during peak hours (3–7 p.m.).
Let the Sun Do the Laundry
Your dryer is a heat generator that spins. Instead, consider line-drying your laundry outside. While you’re at it, hand wash and air dry your dishes instead of running the dishwasher.
Fans: The Unsung Sidekicks
Fun fact: While fans don’t actually cool the air, they make it feel cooler. Set ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise in summer, and you can raise the thermostat without sacrificing comfort.
Praise the Dark
Allowing sunlight pouring through windows basically invites heat to invade your home and never leave. Block it with shade trees, awnings or exterior shades, and blinds/drapes. Your house will stay cooler, your AC will get a well-earned break, and you can remain calm, cool, and collected even on the hottest days.
Upgrade That Pump
Have a pool? Your pool pump may be quietly straining your budget. Variable-speed ENERGY STAR® pumps use far less energy. Run it during off-peak hours for extra savings.
Budget Bottom Line
Arizona summers aren’t changing anytime soon, but your electric bill can. Whether you use Budget Billing to even out your monthly payments, sign-up for a Time-of-Use plan, or perform some energy efficiency updates, you may see a difference in your summer monthly bill.
