Both Pima Community College and the University of Arizona recently received ������Ƶ rebates for upgrades that will reduce energy usage in the long term.

“������Ƶ consistently supports our large customers, including Pima College and the University of Arizona, in achieving their energy efficiency goals,” said Rustyn Sherer, Senior Key Account Manager. “We work directly with our customers on expansive rebate programs to provide savings to them, while helping to reduce the overall carbon footprint in Tucson. These upgrades allow our educational institutions to thrive.”

Last year, ������Ƶ paid $265,000 in rebates to Pima College for the completion of 14 projects. Those included:

• Lighting upgrades for both interiors and exteriors at three campuses.
• The new Center of Excellence facility at the downtown campus.
• Expansion of the Aviation Tech Center located at the Tucson International Airport.

To meet academic needs into the future, the college has purchased additional property around the downtown campus where new buildings also will include energy-efficient equipment.

“������Ƶ and their partners were extremely meticulous and supportive in exploring all opportunities to find the maximum rebate potential for Pima Community College,” said David Clark, PCC’s Superintendent of Operations.

At the University of Arizona, ������Ƶ presented rebates for $171,400 across four projects:

• McKale Memorial Center
• Civil Engineering Building
• Henry Koffler Building
• Facilities Management

Most of the rebates covered automation system upgrades, which made the buildings more energy efficient for long-term savings. The Facilities Management building rebate covered costs for new construction.

Such rebates align with ������Ƶ’s support of local schools and businesses with the goal of helping them improve energy savings. Along with our rebates, ������Ƶ has a long partnership with both Pima College and the UA, including program support and internships. These help promote careers and future job growth.

Read about our Pima College support and University of Arizona partnership, including our renewable energy agreement.

Learn more about rebates for commercial customers, including businesses, schools, nonprofit groups and government agencies.

“Customers often don’t realize that small changes can make a difference in their electric bill,” said Edith Garcia, Residential Program Manager at ������Ƶ. “You don’t have to invest a lot of money to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.”

Here are five tips to tame your bill:

Tip 1: Get a free ������Ƶ Virtual Home Assessment

Heating and cooling account for the largest share of energy use in a typical home. If your climate control systems aren’t operating efficiently, you’re wasting energy and money and sacrificing comfort.

With a free Virtual Home Assessment, ������Ƶ will help you determine if your home’s heating and cooling systems are operating efficiently. You’ll receive a customized report with energy-savings recommendations as well as information about available rebates to help cover heating and cooling related home improvements.

Tip 2: Insulate your home

Sealing leaks and adding insulation can reduce your heating and cooling costs and make your home more comfortable. Caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows is an inexpensive and highly effective way to prevent drafts and air leaks.

Step 3: Switch to LED bulbs

Cut energy costs by replacing incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR-related LED bulbs. Not only do they use 90 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, but they also emit 90 percent less heat, which means your home’s cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you comfortable.

������Ƶ offers several free and low-cost LED bulbs on the .

Step 4: Plant shade trees

Planting shade trees around your home – especially on the south and west sides – helps reduce solar heat gain in the summer and serves as a wind break when it’s colder. Deciduous trees with high, spreading leaves and branches provide maximum roof shading in the summer. Trees or shrubs with foliage lower to the ground are more effective on the west side of the home to provide shade from the late afternoon sun.

Each fall, the ������Ƶ Trees for You program offers customers a wide selection of shade trees at discounted prices. Customers pick up the trees at designated nurseries throughout Pima Country. The program reopens Sept. 4. Learn more at the ������Ƶ Trees for You website.

Step 5: Set it and forget it

Invest in a smart thermostat that will learn your temperature preferences and adjust to fit your schedule. If used properly, smart thermostats can reduce energy costs up to 20 percent each year.

Better yet, ������Ƶ is offering some smart thermostat models on the free of charge, with others at reduced prices for ������Ƶ customers. for more information.

“I wanted to do what was best for the environment. That was a priority for me,” she said. “At the time when we were ready to buy an EV – and even now – gas prices were very high, so financially it made sense.”

Soon after she purchased her sporty new Kia EV6, Hamlin decided to install a home charger for greater convenience instead of relying on public charging. A friend who also owned an EV told her about rebates on chargers available from ������Ƶ and recommended a licensed electrician who could install the charger.

After purchasing a 40-amp GRIZZL-E Level 2 charger on Amazon, Hamlin had her electrician upgrade the electrical panel in her garage. The whole project, including the purchase of the charger, upgraded panel and installation cost her less than $1,000 – thanks in part to a $300 rebate from ������Ƶ.

������Ƶ’s EV rebate program offers residential customers who purchase a qualifying Level 2 charger(s) a rebate of up to $500 (for up to two chargers), depending on the amperage output.

Since Hamlin uses one of ������Ƶ’s Time-of-Use plans, she charges her EV once weekly overnight to take advantage of lower rates during super off-peak hours. She estimates her vehicle is fully charged in about five hours, and she hasn’t really noticed a bump in her electric bill from charging.

“Our monthly energy costs seem comparable,” she said. “I do know that we’re saving money from not needing to buy gas and fill up our tank every week.”

Typical weekly fueling costs for conventional vehicles can easily be $50 a week or about $200 a month, considering the reports that the average annual mileage for U.S. motorists is about 13,500 and unleaded gasoline is still hovering around $3.50 a gallon or more. Those costs are in addition to other maintenance costs for conventional vehicles, such as oil changes.

Hamlin says she’s proud to be an early adopter of EVs and feels good about reducing emissions and preserving the environment as she zips around town.

“EVs are still sort of new and different, but they’re quality built. It’s fun to be on the forefront,” she said. According to some , up to half of the vehicles on U.S. roads could be EVs by 2030.

“I enjoy the convenience of just plugging in my EV and not needing to worry about gassing up or paying high prices at the pump,” she added. “It was pretty simple and pain-free for us to convert to an EV.”

Our new pilot program offers customers an initial $50 MasterCard e-gift card for each smart thermostat (up to two) they enroll if they agree to allow their thermostat provider to make small, temporary automatic adjustments to their thermostats during peak energy demand June through September. Customers will receive another $40 e-gift card per thermostat if they stay enrolled at the end of the season.

Reducing peak loads helps customers save money, preserves the environment and delays the need for ������Ƶ to build new power plants, which helps keep costs lower for everyone. The new program is designed to reduce electric loads during times of peak energy demand, especially late afternoons on very hot days when most of us are using air conditioning to stay cool.

According to the , cooling and heating account for up to half of a typical home’s energy usage. But that percentage is likely higher in Southern Arizona, where extended use of air conditioning is a necessity during our long, hot summers.

Under this program, when demand for electricity is high, ������Ƶ may adjust participating thermostats by a few degrees for up to three hours to help reduce energy demand.

Customers always retain control over their thermostat and may opt out of an event at any time by simply adjusting their thermostats.

The Smart Rewards program is just one of the energy efficiency programs approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Many other utilities nationwide offer similar load management programs for thermostats and other major appliances because they benefit both the customer and utility.

“Overall, smart thermostat demand response (DR) programs offer a win-win for both customers and ������Ƶ, since they reduce energy consumption, lower energy bills, and increase grid stability, said Tom Hines, Principal of Tierra Resources Consultants LCC, which partnered with ������Ƶ to develop the program administered by EnergyHub.

“Customers who participate in smart thermostat DR programs also support renewable energy by shifting their electricity usage to times when solar energy generation is higher and conserving energy in the early evening as the sun sets but AC use remains high,” he added.

Julie Donavant, Principal of ������Ƶ’s Energy Programs, explained that the first year of the program will provide valuable information about the program’s impacts, such as how it helps to lower whole household electric use on hot afternoons while maintaining customers’ comfort and satisfaction levels.

“The whole intent of this program is to learn how ������Ƶ can partner with customers to make small shifts in energy usage across a high number of homes to better manage electric use during period of peak demand,” she said. “Monitoring, managing and evaluating load management for heating and cooling will help us identify future program opportunities that provide benefits on both sides of the meter for customers and ������Ƶ.”

The Smart Rewards program is open to all current ������Ƶ residential customers who have an account in their name and have an eligible smart thermostat that is installed and connected to their Wi-fi. For more information or to enroll, visit .

Benefits for customers:

• Lower energy bills: In addition to receiving an annual incentive for participating in the program, customers can also save money on their energy bills by reducing their energy use during times of peak demand.
• Managed comfort:  Smart thermostat demand response programs can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Slightly shifting temperature settings by just a few degrees below the customer’s preferred temperature set points can help cool customer homes before an event. That way, customers stay comfortable longer while temperatures slowly drift upward by a few degrees during the event’s on-peak hours.
• Convenience and control: Since the thermostat adjustments are made remotely by the thermostat manufacturer, customers don’t need to do anything to manage their thermostat settings. But customers always retain control and can adjust their thermostats to maintain comfort at any time, without penalty from ������Ƶ or their thermostat manufacturer.
• Cleaner energy: Customers can make the most of our renewable energy by shifting their electricity usage to times when solar energy generation is higher and conserving energy in the early evening as the sun sets but AC use remains high.

Benefits for ������Ƶ:

• Reduced peak demand: Smart thermostat demand response programs allow ������Ƶ to reduce peak demand, which ensures adequate resources to meet our community’s needs.
• Increased grid stability: By reducing peak demand, ������Ƶ can help maintain grid stability and prevent the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
• Cost savings: By reducing the need to build new power plants or transmission lines to meet peak demand, ������Ƶ can save money and pass those savings on to customers in the form of lower rates.

“Be kind to your AC and it will serve you well for years,” said Edith Garcia, Senior Program Manager for ������Ƶ’s Residential Energy Efficiency Program. “To get the best performance out of your AC unit, it’s important to change the filter monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. If you have a pet or tend to get a lot of dust in your home, you may need to change it more frequently.”

Garcia said dirty filters clogged with dust, pet hair and dander make your unit work harder, so it uses more energy and costs you more to run. She suggests buying a few filters to have extra on hand and then changing the filter every month when you get your ������Ƶ bill.

If you need an incentive, consider that cooling and heating represent nearly half of your household energy expenses. Replacing a clogged filter with a clean one can reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5-15 percent, according to the .

Tuning up your unit annually in early spring makes sure your AC unit is ready for summer. Tune-ups optimize performance and extend the life of your unit. The U.S. Department of Energy reports AC units can last 15-20 years, but that period is often shorter in warm weather states like Arizona the due to heavy use during long, hot summers.

“Tune-ups can help identify potential common issues, such as dirty coils, corroded wires or terminals or refrigerant leaks,” said Garcia. “If you notice sounds, constant cycling of your AC or changes in its performance, call a professional to have it inspected. Catching issues early helps avoid an AC failure or major repair expenses.”

������Ƶ offers rebates of up to $155 on tune-ups through our Efficient Home Program when you use one of our approved contractors. If your AC unit operates but is nearing the end of its useful life, ������Ƶ also offers rebates of up to $900 for replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR® AC system.

“These high efficiency units certified by ENERGY STAR are made better, last longer and perform more efficiently over many years,” Garcia noted.

Installing a smart thermostat also can benefit your AC unit. Some thermostats have sophisticated sensors and features that will alert you if your AC shuts down abruptly or experiences a service disruption. Some will even provide troubleshooting tips.

Best of all, smart thermostats can reduce cooling costs by 15 percent by adjusting automatically to your preferences and absences. ������Ƶ offers a wide variety of smart thermostats, many at discounted prices, through our online .

“There’s nothing worse than having your AC fail on the hottest day of the year,” Garcia said. “With regular maintenance, your unit should provide cooling relief when you need it the most.”

1. Give your air conditioning some TLC

“One of the most important things you can do to ready your AC for the long, hot summer is to have it inspected and maintained annually by a professional. An annual AC check-up will help prevent breakdowns, extend the unit’s useful life and improve energy efficiency by 5-15 percent,” said Edith Garcia, Senior Residential Energy Efficiency Program Manager for ������Ƶ.

You also need to do your part by changing the air filter monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent it from becoming clogged from heavy use. Buy a couple of filters at a time so that you always have a spare on hand and replace the filter on the same day every month so it becomes a habit and you don’t forget.

2. Bump up the temperature a few degrees

It’s tempting to dial down the thermostat to 75 or lower on hot days, which can result in higher energy bills. Your home may still be cool enough to be comfortable, however, at 78 degrees. Those few degrees might not affect your comfort, but for each degree you raise the temperature, you can reduce energy usage by 10 percent more.

Another strategy is to pre-cool your home before peak times of energy use so that your AC doesn’t run as often or as long, and especially if you’re on a Time-of-Use plan. To pre-cool your home, set the thermostat several degrees lower than your normal setting at noon, and then raise it several degrees higher than your normal setting at 3 p.m., when peak demand begins.

Better yet, invest in a smart thermostat, which can be programed to reduce cooling during on-peak hours and anytime it senses you’re not home. ������Ƶ is offering a few models free of charge to eligible ������Ƶ customers. We also offer a $35 rebate when you purchase and install from a broader list of qualified models, which also may be available at a discounted price on the .

3. Air dry

Electric dryers use a lot of energy. They also add heat to your home when you’re trying to keep it cool. Use the warmth of our summer sun to dry your clothes naturally by hanging them outdoors on a clothesline. They’ll have that outdoor freshness, your home will stay cooler and you won’t use any energy.

You also can forego the drying cycle on your dishwasher to save energy. Simply open the door after the rinse cycle to let your dishes air dry.

4. Consider a Time-of-Use Pricing Plan

Electricity costs are higher during times of peak demand from 3-7 p.m. in the summer. Shifting energy usage to mornings, midday and later in the evening can reduce your monthly bills, especially if you use one of our Time-of-Use or Demand price plans. Try to do chores that require major appliances in the morning, midday or after 7 p.m., when rates are lower.

One caution about TOU and Demand plans: If all the members of your household are unwilling or unable to reduce energy usage during peak times, your monthly bill could increase. Learn more about our pricing plans before making a switch.

5. Use ceiling fans

Ceiling fans and oscillating fans use just a fraction of the energy of an air conditioner. “While circulating the air does not reduce the actual air temperature, it does make you feel cooler because heat is pulled up and away from your body,” Garcia said.

In the summer, switch the direction of the blades to counterclockwise. Using ceiling fans can help reduce cooling costs by up to 40 percent if you also raise your thermostat by a few degrees. Just remember to switch the blade direction back to clockwise when temps get chilly so that the fan forces warm air down into the room.

6.Shade your home to keep it cooler

Let your home benefit from the same cooling shade you enjoy when ducking under a tree on a hot sunny day.  Shading your home with trees, awnings or sunshades helps keep it cooler so that your air conditioner won’t need to run as often or work so hard.

Planting trees or installing sunshades or awnings on the south and west sides of your house reduces the amount of radiant heat on your home. “������Ƶ’s Trees for You program offers customers fast-growing, desert-adapted trees at discounted prices for a low-cost investment that can result in future energy savings,” Garcia noted.

7. Lower the temperature on your water heater

If you have an electric water heater, it could account for up to 25 percent of your electric bills. Most of that energy used is for “standby” heating to maintain the temperature of the water in the tank so you get warm water when you turn on the shower or faucet.

However, in our area, water from the tap is usually already warm during the summer and, besides, how hot do you really want that shower when it’s scorching hot outside?

Water heater manufacturers often set the default temperature to 140 degrees. Reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees helps save energy and lowers water heating costs. The temperature is still high enough to kill any harmful bacteria but will help prevent scalding.

Other ways to reduce your water heating costs are to take shorter showers and use the cold water setting on your washing machine.

8. Consider replacing that old single-speed pool pump

Pool pumps – especially older single-speed models – consume a lot of energy when they’re operating for 6-8 hours a day in the summer. Consider swapping out that old model for a new variable-speed ENERGY STAR® to save energy and reduce your electric bills. Plus, you’ll get a $100 instant rebate from ������Ƶ when you buy the pump from one of our ������Ƶ-approved pool professionals and have them install it.

“Variable speed models are more efficient than single-speed units because they filter water at different speeds rather than running on high speed all the time,” explained Garcia. “Our ������Ƶ pool professionals will help you choose a pump sized correctly for your pool and will program it for maximum efficiency while keeping your pool sparkling clean. You may be able to reduce the filtering time by a few hours.”

Running the pump late morning to mid-afternoon during off-peak hours also can help you reduce energy costs, especially if you have a Time-of-Use or Demand pricing plan.

9. Use shades and blinds strategically

“In hot summer climates like Arizona, keeping your home cool can be challenging. Closing blinds and shades before the sweltering midday and afternoon sun will reduce the amount of radiant heat entering your home to keep it cooler without your AC working so hard,” advised Garcia.

If it cools off at night, open blinds, shades and widows to let the cool air in. Just be sure to turn off your air conditioner overnight so that if it kicks on, you’re not losing cooled air through the windows. Repeat this routine on hot days and cool nights to make your home more comfortable and reduce AC use.