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Understanding APS Rates

As of Jan 1, 1992 APS created two new time of use (TOU), rates for residential use.  This change also saw the elimination of the Demand Advantage rate (more on this later).
TOU rates allow for reduction of monthly bills provided you use the majority of your electricity "off peak" during times.  Depending on which APS TOU rate plan you choose your savings will vary.  I have placed links below for each of these rates to make it easier to understand but the APS site (in my opinion), does not reveal the best way to save on your monthly bill.

APS RATES EXPLAINED
Time Advantage
The APS Time Advantage rate and the Combined Advantage rate both have on peak and off peak times.  Power used during on peak times are more expensive than off peak.  On peak starts at am and ends at 9pm Monday through Friday only.  This means you can use the lower cost off peak rates all weekend.

Time Advantage Rate
                                    Summer
On peak:  12.81 ¢/KWH     Off peak:    4.129¢ /KWH

                                   Winter
On peak:  10.656 ¢/KWH     Off peak:    4.129¢ /KWH

This rate has no demand charge

Combined Advantage
The APS Combined Advantage rate has a much lower cost for usage of power but has a demand charge each month.    Demand charge, or commonly referred to as "peak KW" charge, is based on the highest peak you have reached during any one hour period during the month.  Each month when your meter is read, the demand is turned back to zero and read at the end of your billing cycle.
Example: During the summer a load of clothes is done during on peak times and hot water is used.  The accumulative demand for power for one hour would be the water heater, clothes dryer, A/C and base load.  Even though the KWH cost is 1/3 of Time Advantage, the demand charge would very high.  Using the washer and dryer EXCLUSIVELY off peak is one solution.  The other solution, and one that would SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE YOUR APS BILL, is the installation of a Peak Demand Load Controller.  Load controllers can be defined as a cruise control for your APS bill.  You set where you want it and save every month of the year.  Note that there is NO DEMAND CHARGE DURING OFF PEAK TIMES.  The latest breed of peak demand controllers are fully compatible with APS rates and automatically control demand only during on peak times.  The Combined Advantage Rate and a peak demand controller is the best combination for a lower APS bill.   We have testimonials dating back 18 years and those customers who have them rely on this equipment to lower APS bills and are very happy with them.  D. Marzella in Scottsdale saved over  $16,000 to date with her load controller.
More on load controllers click here

Combined Advantage rate schedule:
                                  Summer
On peak:  4.572¢/KWH    Off peak     2.543¢  cents/KWH
Demand Charge:  $11.33 per KW*

                                 Winter
On peak:  3.872¢/KWH     Off peak:    2.721¢/KWH
Demand Charge:  $8.11 per KW*

NO DEMAND CHARGE DURING OFF PEAK TIMES ONLY

Demand Advantage
The Demand Advantage used to be called EC-1 and many APS customers are still on it unaware that there are alternatives.  Demand Advantage does not have TOU so you are charged demand 24hrs per day, seven days per week.  If you currently have This rate you can save by going to Combined Advantage especially if you are now using a load controller.  Depending on the age of your demand controller may need to upgrade or re-program it to coincide with the TOU rate structure.  Contact us for a free APS rate structure analysis at the number below.

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