By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Summer heat is back in Arizona, and as temperatures climb, many families are seeing their electric bills climb as well—especially with kids home for summer break.
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Experts say one of the biggest keys to cutting costs starts with your A/C unit. A system under stress can lead to higher bills, repairs, and even weaker cooling when you need it most.
Brandon Hughes, service manager at Rite Way, says a few small steps can make a noticeable difference.
“Some cost-effective actions a homeowner can take are, one, making sure their filters stay clean anywhere from two weeks to a month depending on the home… TEP recommends 78 to 80 degrees.”
In addition to keeping filters clean and setting the thermostat around 78–80 degrees, energy-saving tips include:
- Use ceiling or rotating fans to boost comfort without lowering the thermostat
- Close blinds and use shades or curtains to block intense sun
- Consider planting trees or adding shade to reduce solar heat
- Swap in LED light bulbs, which create less heat and use less power
- Save on hot water by taking shorter showers and using cold or warm laundry settings (instead of hot)
Tucson Electric Power (TEP) says customers can also use free tools to better understand where energy is being used. TEP spokesperson J.D. Wallace says the company offers a free virtual home assessment.
“We offer a free virtual home assessment to determine if your cooling system is operating efficiently… and that can show you other avenues… to make sure you’re saving as much electricity in the summer as possible.”
Wallace adds customers can monitor usage in real time using TEP’s My Energy Usage tool through their online account or the mobile app.
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“This will allow you to track your energy usage not only daily, even hourly… and that can show you if you would benefit from a flexible pricing plan.”
TEP also offers rebates and services such as coil cleaning and refrigerant recharge, which can help improve A/C efficiency.
For families who need additional support, a new program called Power A-Z launched after a $15 million investment.
The one-time financial utility assistance program is designed to help working families manage high summer bills, and applications are free. Eligibility is based on income and need—meaning a family of four earning up to $108,000 could qualify for up to $640 in utility bill assistance. Funding is limited.
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