Arizona Public Service Company, Salt River Project, time of use rates and radiant barrier

(This page is for customers using electricity in Phoenix and suburbs only)

Both Arizona Public Service Company and Salt River Project offer what is called time of use rates  (TOU), for residential customers. Whether you are planning a new home or just wish to cut your electric bill, this is the way to do it.

TOU rates allow you to reduce your electric bill by offering less expensive electricity during low usage or "off peak" hours. During this time, the power is less than half of what you are paying now. The more you use off peak, the more you save.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will my save if my A/C runs during the day?
This where our patented RBS Chip really shine (click here for info). By sub cooling your home (setting temp at 72-74 degrees or as cold as you can stand it), at night during less expensive off peak times, you can shift most of your air conditioning needs to off peak periods. The RBS Chip keeps the heat from entering your home during the day.   In short, you will be cooling your home for less than half of what you are paying now.

But will sub cooling really work?
Don't take our word for it, here is just one of our very satisfied and comfortable customers taking advantage of Time of Use rates and RBS Chips:
"After having the RBS Chip installed in our attic, we have been able to shut our air conditioning off at noon and coast until 9pm. On the hottest day of the summer, the upstairs is still 79 degrees even though the a/c has been off for nine hours! Also, before the radiant barrier was installed on the garage door, the garage was terribly hot and the freezer ran continuously. Doing laundry was miserable! Now the garage is comfortable and the freezer cycles on and off as it should. I wish I would have installed this years ago! We were warned that the power company would try and persuade us not to purchase radiant barrier but rather add more insulation. This is true. Our neighbors had more insulation added with negligible results. This is the best investment I have ever made!"
Framed, 2400sq. ft. two story home, pitched roof, west orientation, dual pane glass

Deborah Carpenter, Phoenix, AZ

What about the lights? Television? Computers?
Just use your lights as usual although you may wish to view the selection of compact flourescents light bulbs at Home Depot.   Or consider a Tubular skylight. Still, the biggest users of energy in your home are the Heat Pump, Water Heater and Clothes Dryer.
Second energy tip: Rather than run the dishwasher when the dishes are dirty, wait until 9pm and let it run at night. Dishwashers have a heating element which uses a fair amount of electricity. Just get in the habit of using more energy off peak and you will see a significant reduction in your electric bill.

Can anyone get these rates?
Yes, both SRP and APS have them available and they are free.  For SRP Time of Use, specify the "Two Period Plan".  You can reach the SRP service line at: 236-8888.  For APS, call 371-7171 and request the ECT-2 rate.  This new rate became available on July 1st, 2006 and is the best rate in the state.  On peak hours are noon - 7pm Monday thru Friday as well as holidays.  For an accurate analysis comparing your existing rate to the new rates, ask either utility for a rate card (for the rate you are on and the one you want to know about) and last years annual consumption history. . . both are free.

My neighbor has a Load Controller for her APS bill.  Can this help me lower my bill?

A load controller is computer based energy management system that is connected to your major appliances:  Heat pump(s), water heater and electric clothes dryer.  Imagine it a cruise control for your electric bill.  The lower you set the demand threshold, the more you save.  Set it so your lifestyle and comfort won't be compromised and do your laundry during off peak times.  The old demand rate was in effect 24/7.  Then, in 1986, APS offered a new time of use rate called Combined Advantage Rate.  Rather than  24/7 like Demand Advantage, Combined Advantage only had demand charges from 9am to 9pm Monday thru Friday.  All other times, included weekends were "off peak" where the KWH charge drops to less than 3 cents per KWH (the national average is11 cents and rising), and there was no demand charge.  You could run everything at the same time during this off peak period and the computer controlled APS meter would not record your demand usage.  There is now a new APS demand rate called "ECT-2" which is similar to Combined Advantage but the on peak times are MUCH easier to work with.  Noon - 7pm is when you are on peak.  This is the only time the load controller will be in effect.  The more you do during off peak hours, the lower you can set your load controller.  Dorothy Marzella in Scottsdale has already kept APS from taking over $12,000 out of her account and putting into theirs!  Her home is 3200 square foot flat roof, all electric home.  Yes, you can really save with the ECT-2 rate and a load controller.  Have one installed, if it doesn't save you at least 20% on your APS bill, we will remove it and give you a full refund.  We have installed thousands of these systems all over the valley on APS homes and can vouch for the savings and how much our customers like having them.  Set it and forget it.

.I don't understand all the benefits, how can I have someone come out to my home?
Contact one of our energy auditors at 602- 789-1699 for a free home energy inspection and start saving!  

If you are planning to build a new home, find out how you can build energy efficiency into your new home using our OPERA House (On Peak Energy Reduction Architecture) plan.  Our first OPERA house costs less than $240 PER YEAR to heat and cool.  OPERA House II uses 92% off peak power, has never had the heat pump run one minute during expensive on peak times and is very comfortable.  The highest cooling bill to date was $45 and it takes between $2 and $3 dollars per month to keep it comfortable during winter.

If you would like to save money every month on your SRP bill with TOU rates, click here

APS customers click here

Attic fans click here

Cut your APS or SRP bill and increase comfort with radiant heat barrier click here
 

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Questions? Call us: 602-867-3176