From keeping refrigerators and ACs running to staying connected online, reliable energy is critical. At Arizona Public Service (APS), we’re investing in innovative technology like FLISR to make our electric grid more reliable and responsive.

What is FLISR?
While the acronym may sound silly (flizzer!), the technology is smart. FLISR stands for Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration. This tool helps us detect and respond to outages automatically and in real time.

Here’s how it works:

• A fault occurs (like debris such as mylar balloons on a power line).
• FLISR quickly detects the issue and pinpoints the location.
• The system automatically isolates the affected area and switches some customers to alternate power sources where possible, minimizing the impact of the outage.
• Power is restored to as many customers as possible, significantly reducing customer outage time.

All of this happens without needing to send a crew out first, getting the lights back on to more customers faster. Additionally, precise fault location allows us to dispatch repair crews to the specific location and inform customers about outage status in real time.

So how does FLISR directly benefit customers?

• Faster Power Restoration
  Most outages can be resolved quickly and automatically.
• Smaller Impact
  FLISR isolates the problem area, meaning fewer customers lose power during an event.
• Increased Reliability
  By detecting and addressing issues immediately, FLISR helps reduce the number and duration of outages overall.
• Efficient Use of Crews
  Our team can focus on making repairs where they’re truly needed, especially during storms or emergencies.

“With FLISR technology, we can respond to outages in real time, often restoring power before our crews even arrive. That means fewer interruptions and faster service for customers. In Arizona’s extreme climate, that’s a game-changer. This smart technology helps us keep the lights on safely, efficiently and reliably.” – Steve Caporaso, APS Supervisor Smart Grid & Advanced Grid Technology

Built for Arizona’s Unique Challenges

Extreme heat, monsoon storms and wildfire risks all present unique challenges to our electric system. Technologies like FLISR are part of how we’re preparing the grid for whatever comes our way, helping us deliver reliable power in every season.

FLISR is just one of the ways APS is modernizing the grid to support reliable service for customers. To learn more about how APS is supporting customer reliability, visit aps.com/reliability. 

With 100-degree temperatures possible this week in parts of the state, Arizona Public Service (APS) offers nine ways to ensure your home is running efficiently to help save money on your energy bill.
Energy Savings Checklist:

1. Service HVAC System

• In Arizona, home cooling is often the highest energy cost during summer months. A well-maintained HVAC system operates more efficiently, uses less energy and saves money. Schedule an HVAC tune-up with a licensed contractor to keep your system running efficiently.
• The APS Qualified Technology Installers webpage lists contractors who have completed additional training with APS, have been vetted by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and have maintained a rating of B or better rating with the Better Business Bureau.

2. Check Smart Thermostat Settings

• With days getting longer and warmer, it’s the perfect time to adjust your smart thermostat to improve energy efficiency. Check your schedule in the settings and update it to match the times you’ll be home or away.
• If you’re on either the Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays or Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge rate plan: Try pre-cooling. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower the hours before 4pm. Then, between 4pm-7pm weekdays, set it a few degrees higher. Watch this video for more details.

3. Check Your Rate Plan

• APS offers a variety of plans to suit your lifestyle and budget. Most customers can find out which rate plan would have saved them the most money by looking at the Monthly Plan Comparison on their bill, or by visiting our website.
• To discuss plan options, call the APS Customer Care Center anytime at (602) 371-7171 (metro Phoenix) or (800) 253-9405 (other areas).

4. Join APS Cool Rewards

• Consider enrolling in the APS Cool Rewards program, which allows your smart thermostat to be called upon on hot summer days to reduce energy demand on the power grid. Customers can earn up to $85 and get a $35 bill credit per thermostat every year they participate. The program runs from June 1–September 30. Visit aps.com/coolrewards for details.

5. Upgrade to LED Lighting

• Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs to save energy and money. LEDs consume up to 90% less energy, last up to 25 times longer and emit less heat.

6. Adjust Ceiling Fans

• Make sure blades spin counterclockwise in warmer months to help create a downdraft, which creates a more direct cooling breeze.
• How? Check the fan’s motor housing. You’ll likely find a small switch that lets you change the direction of the blades.

7. Close Curtains and Blinds

• Block out the sun and hot temperatures, especially in rooms that get a lot of sun or if your windows are older and less energy efficient.

8. Replace Air Filters

• Change or clean air filters monthly. Pro tip: set monthly reminders on your phone.

9. Schedule a Free Virtual Energy Checkup

• APS customers can sign up via aps.com for a free Virtual Energy Checkup. With your smartphone or tablet, you’ll get advice from an energy advisor who tours your home virtually.

APS customers can access tools and programs to suit their needs, including:

• Budget Billing can help take out the seasonal swings of summer billing by leveling payments throughout the year. This makes it easy for customers to know what their APS bill will be every month. Visit aps.com/budgetbilling.
• Bill payment assistance and discount programs for low-income customers who qualify. Visit aps.com/assistance.
• Flexible payment arrangements are also an option for those who need more time to pay their balance, along with customers selecting the date they’d prefer to pay their bill each month, aligning better with their schedule.

Monsoon season is officially over and for a second straight summer, record heat outshined stormy weather. As air conditioners hummed along, Arizona Public Service (APS) customers again broke peak energy demand records, while temperatures stayed in the triple-digits for almost four months straight. And while the calendar says it’s autumn, it still feels like summer, as extremely high temperatures remain across Arizona.

"Arizonans often say ‘we’re used to the heat’ but this summer was especially tough. APS employees take to heart the importance of keeping people cool and safe, delivering the power our 1.4 million customers need on our hottest days and all year long," said Jacob Tetlow, APS Executive Vice President of Operations. “As more people and businesses move to our great state, we continue to be one of the most reliable energy providers in the nation and our rates are below the national average. We invest in the electrical system and maintain a diverse mix of resources, including wind and solar power, energy storage, flexible natural gas and carbon-free nuclear power.”

Providing reliable power during historic 113-day run of 100+ degrees

This summer’s long stretch of 113 days above 100 degrees in Phoenix is the longest streak in Arizona history. The hot days, high nighttime temperatures and the Valley’s heat island effect meant air conditioners were running around the clock to keep homes and businesses cool. As a result:

• APS customers set a new peak energy demand record of 8,210 megawatts (MW) on Sunday, Aug. 4. (A preliminary number was shared in an earlier news release.) Peak demand is the highest amount of energy consumed at one time by customers. The previous record of 8,162 MW was set on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
• APS customer energy demand exceeded 8,000 MW on four different days. For perspective, during winter, APS customer peak energy demand ranges between 4,000 and 5,200 MW.

APS customers had reliable power when they needed it most to keep cool and stay comfortable, thanks to long-term resource planning, a robust power supply, regular maintenance and frequent upgrades to power lines and equipment.

Monsoon storm response

For many Arizonans, it may have felt like a ”nonsoon” summer. It was one of the driest monsoon seasons on record; however, there were storms that produced extreme weather, including hurricane-force winds. When storms affected our customers’ power, APS crews were ready to respond quickly to safely restore service.

• APS crews replaced 290 storm-damaged power poles across APS service territory.
• By comparison, 2023’s monsoon season brought down 125 power poles. During 2022’s active monsoon season, APS replaced a record 811 damaged poles.

In the sweltering heat of July, APS repair crews worked one of the Valley’s strongest storms that snapped power poles and broke electrical equipment. Severe winds of up to 75 mph, fueled by multiple downbursts, caused such extensive damage in one southwest Phoenix neighborhood that APS crews had to first rebuild the grid serving that area in order to restore power.

To protect nearby neighborhoods, APS partnered with customers enrolled in its Cool Rewards smart thermostat program  in a unique and historic way. APS customer technology experts worked with a specific, targeted portion of its network of thermostats, located in participating customers’ homes, to help voluntarily conserve power. This effort, along with operational back-ups, including rerouting electricity, helped relieve strain on the electric system caused by the severe storm damage.

This was the first time in APS history a smart thermostat program was utilized in such a targeted manner. APS Cool Rewards acts like a virtual power plant during times when energy usage is at its highest. Typically, all 95,000 enrolled thermostats work together, capable of conserving nearly 160MW of energy, similar to the amount a small power plant would produce.

Tracking wildfire activity and maintaining a strong grid

So far in 2024, APS fire mitigation experts have tracked nearly 1,500 wildfires in Arizona, focusing on 450 fires that came within 10 miles of APS infrastructure. Most of these incidents were caused by human activity or lightning. APS employees worked in collaboration with fire agencies to ensure no major impacts to electrical equipment or service to customers. APS fire prevention, detection and mitigation efforts this year included:

• Clearing hazardous brush, dry grass and other vegetation from about 40,000 power poles.
• Activating new fire cameras and weather stations to aid in fire detection.
• Tracking wind speeds and humidity levels, by APS meteorologists, near extreme fire risk areas.
• Installing fire mesh on power poles in higher-risk fire areas to shield equipment from fire damage.

This summer’s weather conditions did not result in the need for APS to perform any Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS).

Support for summer energy bills

Higher summer temperatures have led to increased electricity use by APS customers, which can mean higher energy bills. For example, residential energy usage on customers' July bills was 25% higher than last July. APS is here to help customers with support ranging from flexible payment options to crisis bill assistance. Budget Billing  evens out the seasonal highs and lows for a more consistent monthly payment. Additionally, earlier this year, APS introduced new tiered energy support discounts for qualifying customers approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission. Customers can contact the APS Customer Care Center to speak with an advisor 24/7 in English or Spanish at 602-371-7171 (800-253-9405) or visit aps.com/assistance.

Summer 2024 was the hottest on record for Phoenix. The Valley endured 113 days (about 3 and a half months) of high temperatures over 100 degrees, the longest consecutive streak ever. Hot days and warm nights keep air conditioners running longer, which can increase energy use and bills. Likewise, in the winter months, cold temperatures can keep heaters running longer in Arizona's high country.

One way for customers to help lower bills is to make sure they are on their lowest-cost rate plan. APS customers can find out which plan would have saved them the most money by looking at the Monthly Plan Comparison on their bill, when logging in to their online account or going directly to aps.com/compare. The Monthly Plan Comparison shows how much customers would have paid on different plans based on their past energy use, making it easy to compare plan costs and save. APS offers three residential rate plan options:

Time-of-Use plans offer incentives for using less energy during times of peak demand. Many customers can save money on these plans by making a few small changes to when and how they use energy on weekdays:

Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays – Customers pay lower rates than the Fixed Energy Plan during most of the day, except during on-peak hours, which are 4pm to 7pm on weekdays. By using less energy during these hours, customers can save money. Video: Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays Plan

Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge – This plan offers the lowest energy rates of the three plans. To save, customers must limit their energy use and demand during on-peak hours, which are 4pm to 7pm on weekdays. Customers can do this by shifting their energy use to off-peak hours, and by running one appliance at a time during on-peak hours. Video: Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge Plan

Fixed Energy plans offer rates that stay the same all day, every day:

• Fixed Energy Charge Plan – Customers on this plan are placed on a tier based on how much power they use. The more power they use, the higher their fixed energy rate. Video: Fixed Energy Charge Plan

Customers can easily switch plans by logging in to their online account or calling a customer care advisor at (602) 371-7171 or (800) 253-9405. It’s important to note that APS will never choose a rate plan for a customer; it is up to customers to choose which plan is best for their lifestyle and needs.

Here are more ways to use energy more efficiently:

• Use a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat allows you to make your home comfortable while using energy efficiently year-round. Set the temperature a few degrees higher in the summer, or a few degrees lower in the winter, when you are away from your home. Visit the APS Marketplace for exclusive rebates and discounts on qualifying smart thermostats.
• Seal those leaks. On average, heating and cooling accounts for almost half of a home’s energy use. Caulk windows and seal leaks anywhere air might enter or leave your house.
• Wash laundry in cold water. A washing machine uses 90% of its energy to heat water. Consider using cold water instead.
• Is your home hiding savings? Find out by participating in an APS Home Energy Checkup. Visit aps.com/checkup to sign up. Virtual and in-person opportunities are available.
• APS customers can find more ways to save at aps.com/save.

APS helps customers throughout the year with support ranging from flexible payment options to crisis bill assistance. Budget Billing evens out the seasonal highs and lows for a more consistent monthly payment. Additionally, earlier this year, APS introduced new tiered energy support discounts for qualifying customers. Customers can also add a relative or friend to help monitor or manage their account.

Visit aps.com/assistance to learn more. Customers can also call (602) 371-7171 or (800) 253-9405 to speak to an APS advisor 24/7 in English or Spanish.

This is National and Arizona Clean Energy Week, a celebration of the carbon-free technologies that power our daily lives. APS currently provides customers with energy that is 51% clean through a mix that includes nuclear and renewable resources and offers programs that help customers reduce energy use and save money. One innovative resource is APS’s virtual power plant (VPP). 

What is a virtual power plant?
APS’s VPP is a partnership with customers, a network of thousands of customer-owned devices, like smart thermostats and home battery storage, that act as an energy resource and a collaborative way to reduce energy demand at peak times to balance supply and demand. The energy production this connection of smart technology avoids reduces the need to start up or build a traditional, physical power plant. This saves customers’ money, protects the environment and increases overall grid reliability. 

The APS Cool Rewards program fuels the VPP. This opt-in program pays customers to voluntarily conserve energy during the times of day when demand is highest.

• Customers receive $85 in bill credits the first year they enroll, and $35 the following years they participate.
• On a limited number of days, enrolled customers will be notified their thermostats will adjust up or down a few degrees for a set amount of time that day.
• With over 90,000 thermostats currently enrolled in Cool Rewards, the impact of that slight adjustment takes 140 megawatts (MW) of energy demand off the grid is similar to what a small power plant produces and enough to serve about 22,000 Arizona homes. (For context, 1 MW of energy can power about 160 homes in Arizona.)
• Customers can opt out at any time by manually adjusting their thermostat to a desired temperature, at no penalty.

“Arizona is experiencing incredible growth in both the residential and industrial sectors,” says Kerri Carnes, APS Director of Customer Technology. “APS is well positioned to meet our customers’ growing energy needs, and programs like Cool Rewards help not only meet energy demand but do so in a way that serves Arizonans more efficiently. Our virtual power plant is a triple win, benefitting our customers, the grid and the environment.”

Powering the VPP
Additional VPP programs combine with APS Cool Rewards to remove 190 MW of energy off the grid and save customers’ money:  

• Energy Savings Days – On certain days, customers who are not enrolled in Cool Rewards are encouraged to voluntarily conserve energy with easy ways to do so at home. They receive a report showing how much energy they saved by making those simple changes.
• Residential Battery Pilot – In this pilot program, participating customers’ home battery devices dispatch energy back to the power grid on certain days.
• Peak Solutions – Participating business customers agree to reduce energy use during times of high demand. 

APS will continue to expand VPP sources by exploring how other smart home devices can work with the program. Learn more about technology and innovation by visiting aps.com/tech.

APS is the state’s leader in clean energy
To keep pace with growing energy needs, APS is optimizing existing resources and making significant investments in cost-competitive clean energy on the path to serving customers with 100% clean and carbon-free energy by 2050. Some of the steps APS is taking to reach that goal include:

• By 2027, APS will seek to add more than 6,000 MW of solar and wind power, coupled with battery storage, which will provide the greatest long-term value and affordability to customers.
• In 2024 alone, APS has added 216 MW of large-scale wind energy and an additional 215 MW of large-scale solar.
• APS ranks fifth nationally for the percentage of residential customers with rooftop solar.
• In 2023, 22% of the energy delivered to APS customers was produced by Palo Verde Generating Station, one of the largest and clean energy resources in the country.

Visit aps.com/clean for more information.

APS customers set a new peak energy demand record by using 8,212 megawatts (MW) of power on Sunday, Aug. 4, according to preliminary figures. Peak demand is the period of time when customer energy use is at its highest.

Last Sunday’s demand for electricity beat last year’s record of 8,162 MW, set on Saturday, July 15, 2023, demonstrating the resilience and value of the APS grid to customers.

“We are committed to providing our customers with reliable energy – especially during the heat of summer,” said Ted Geisler, APS President. “I’m proud of our employees who work hard to maintain a reliable power grid and respond to the impact of monsoon storms. These team members dedicate their efforts year-round to expanding and maintaining the grid so power is there when customers need it most. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our customers during yet another record-breaking summer.”

Why is energy demand increasing?

Many factors contribute to Arizona’s increased electricity use, including temperatures, humidity and the state’s growing business community and residential population.

By 2031, APS anticipates its customers will require more than 13,000 MW of energy, and that peak demand will grow by approximately 40%. Today, APS maintains a supply of more than 9,740 MW of energy to meet customer needs adequately.

How does APS provide reliable power?

The strength of Arizona’s power grid comes from a balanced and diverse energy mix. APS plans years in advance to secure and maintain a variety of resources like solar and wind power, battery energy storage and flexible natural gas generation that can ramp up quickly to keep customers cool and comfortable during hot summer days when energy demand is highest. APS customers also benefit from the Palo Verde Generating Station, one of the nation’s largest producers of clean, carbon-free electricity.

APS crews regularly maintain more than 38,000 miles of power lines, upgrade equipment and use advanced technology, including drones and robots to identify potential issues before they result in power outages. This proactive, year-round approach to maintaining APS’s smart grid across Arizona’s diverse geography provides customers with some of the most reliable power in the country.

How can customers save money on summer energy bills?

While APS is well prepared to serve customers all summer, conserving power can help customers reduce energy bills while supporting grid reliability.

• For those on APS time-of-use plans, (“Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays” and “Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge”), try pre-cooling your home. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower than normal before 4 p.m. and then set it a few degrees higher than normal during the on-peak period of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Think 1, 2, 3 and turn your thermostat up a few degrees. For every one degree you raise your thermostat, you can save 2-3% on energy cooling costs. (When on vacation, turn it up more.)
• Use a smart thermostat to “set it and forget it.” We offer special rebates and discounts on the APS Marketplace.
• Close curtains and blinds during the day to block out the sun and hot temperature, especially in rooms that get a lot of sun or if your windows are older and less energy efficient.
• Use fans to feel up to 5 degrees cooler. Set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise and remember fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.
• Earn bill credits. Join APS Cool Rewards (residential) or APS Peak Solutions (business) – programs that reward customers for conserving energy during times when usage is highest.
• Switch to LED lighting. LED bulbs emit 90% less heat and use at least 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.
• Limit oven use. When possible, use the microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead. Using the oven heats your home, which makes your air conditioner work harder.
• Stay informed. Use the APS mobile app and aps.com to monitor and manage your energy use and to learn more energy-saving tips customized to your service plan.

Visit aps.com/tips for more ways to save and learn more about assistance programs and heat relief resources at aps.com/assistance.

APS is prepared to meet the energy needs of its approximately 1.4 million customers during Arizona’s long, hot summers and all year long. Providing reliable power that’s also affordable is possible due to long-term planning, innovation and maintaining a diverse mix energy resources.

APS’s mix includes renewables like solar, wind and energy storage and clean, nuclear energy, along with traditional resources that can ramp up quickly when temperatures rise and air conditioners run. There’s also a special virtual power plant which APS operates in partnership with customers. This is a network of smart home devices, like thermostats and batteries, designed to help save energy. The amount of energy customers conserve through APS’s various virtual power plant programs is equivalent to what a small, physical power plant can produce. That energy avoidance saves customers’ money, protects the environment and increases grid reliability.

Kerri Carnes, who leads customer technology efforts at APS, recently discussed the creation and importance of the virtual power plant with Power Magazine:

“It was important for us to make sure that customers understand that we view this as an incredibly important part of maintaining reliability and affordability for our customers every summer. But at the end of the day, they retain control.”

You can read the full article here.

APS Cool Rewards helps fuel the virtual power plant and APS pays them to participate by using less energy with small, temporary adjustments to their smart thermostat during the hottest days of the year. Customers who enroll in the program can earn up to $85 in bill credits the first year. They can opt out by adjusting their thermostat at any time with their mobile device, web browser or thermostat.

Excitement is building across the United States for a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, when the moon passes between the sun and Earth. The event will first be seen in North America in Mazatlán, Mexico, and the ‘path of totality’ will cut through the heart of the U.S. from Dallas to Little Rock, Indianapolis to Buffalo, before wrapping up north of Montreal, Canada.

In the Phoenix area, maximum impact will be approximately 64% sun coverage. The eclipse will be visible just after 10 a.m., with the peak at 11:20 a.m. It will end at 12:35 p.m.

APS resource planning experts have been coordinating with forecasters to determine the most accurate impacts of the eclipse. Even a partial eclipse will affect solar power generation in Arizona.  At the 11:20 a.m. peak, assuming clear skies, APS expects to experience a reduction of about 235 megawatts (MW) of reduced utility scale and 893 MW of rooftop solar production. For perspective, 1,128 MW would provide power to 180,480 homes.

APS is ready for the event with an adequate supply of power. Maintaining a diverse mix of energy resources, including energy storage, means APS will continue to sustain grid reliability and the service customers count on.

The last solar eclipse event in Arizona was in October. Although that eclipse had nearly 80% coverage, it had less of an impact on APS energy generation, because it occurred earlier in the morning. It will be a long time – 2044 - before the next solar eclipse is visible in the U.S.

June 21 is the first official day of summer and Arizona Public Service (APS) is sharing practical tips and energy-saving strategies to help customers manage monthly electricity bills.

“In Arizona’s desert regions, air conditioning typically consumes the most electricity in your home but with some simple actions, you can make a big difference in cooling costs without forfeiting comfort,” said Kerri Carnes, Director of APS Customer Technology.

• Think 1, 2, 3 – Turn your thermostat up a few degrees. For every one degree you raise your thermostat, you can save 2-3 percent on energy cooling costs.
• Install a smart thermostat – Smart thermostats can help save money on cooling costs and make it easier to manage your energy use. Plus, APS offers a $30 incentive for the purchase of a smart thermostat and up to $85 in bill credits the first year for enrolling your thermostat in the Cool Rewards demand response program.
• Keep the heat out – Close curtains and blinds. Outside your windows, use shade screens or plants and trees to stop heat from ever getting inside.
• Use ceiling fans – Ensure ceiling fans are set counter-clockwise in summer. Fans can make you feel up to five degrees cooler. Be sure to turn them off when you leave the room because fans cool people, not rooms.
• Limit oven use – Keep heat out of the kitchen and use microwaves, toaster ovens or grill outside.
• Switch to LED light bulbs – LEDs use 90% less energy and emit 90% less heat, keeping homes cooler.

Every customer uses energy differently and APS offers a variety of rate plans and customized ways to save. Customers can explore options or switch plans by visiting aps.com/plans.

From crisis bill assistance to discounts for qualifying customers and flexible payment arrangements, APS is here to help customers year-round; visit aps.com/assistance. During Arizona’s hottest months, this includes no disconnections of overdue residential accounts through Oct. 15. APS partners with local organizations to provide heat relief assistance to our most vulnerable customers as well as energy-efficient home improvements through the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which can help lower energy bills year-round and improve indoor air quality.

PHOENIX – Looking to finally start those annual spring-cleaning projects? APS has some suggestions that can help you clean up your approach to energy savings by taking advantage of special discounts and offerings and by following these simple cost-saving tips:

• Replace or clean your air filters – Use the start of spring to begin a regular schedule to replace or clean your air filters once a month. 
• Service your heat pump or air conditioner – Take advantage of the cool temperatures to have your heat pump or air conditioner serviced by a licensed contractor so it will run more efficiently when summer arrives. 
• Make simple adjustments in your kitchen – Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. Operating it later at night or early in the morning also avoids adding extra heat and humidity to your house. Prepare foods when the kitchen is coolest and consider using smaller cooking appliances that use less energy. Unplug electric devices when they are not in use.                                          
• Use fans – As temperatures warm up, consider using ceiling fans or portable fans to help keep air moving. Fans can make you feel more comfortable as you maintain higher thermostat settings but remember to turn them off when you leave the room. 
• Wash clothes in cold water – Heating water accounts for up to 90% of energy needed to run your washing machine. 
• Switch to LED light bulbs – LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, last up to 25 times longer and emit less heat. 
• Install a smart thermostat – Customers can set it and forget it while saving money year-round with a smart thermostat that automatically adjusts their cooling and heating settings. APS customers can enroll in APS Cool Rewards to receive instant rebates on the latest thermostats. Visit the APS Marketplace to take advantage of exclusive rebates and discounts on qualifying thermostat models. Remember to check your settings as you transition from heating to cooling. 
• Create an online home energy profile – In less than five minutes, customers can complete an online survey to see how efficient their home is and get potential savings estimates and energy conservation recommendations that fit their lifestyle. Visit aps.com/ea.           

In addition to these energy saving tips, APS customers can save money depending on what service plan they’re on and if they reduce their energy use during a particular time of day:

• Time-of-Use 4 pm-7 pm Weekdays - Customers can manage their costs by shifting energy use to lower-cost off-peak hours and using less energy during the higher-cost on-peak hours, between 4 pm–7 pm weekdays. 
• Time-of-Use 4 pm-7 pm Weekdays with Demand Charge - Customers can manage their costs by shifting energy use to lower-cost off-peak hours and vary usage during higher-cost on-peak hours between 4 pm - 7 pm weekdays. For example, on weekdays, customers can run their washer and dryer, so they finish before 4 pm or start them after 7 pm. If they do use appliances during on-peak hours, try not to run them at the same time. For example, finish using the washer before running the dryer.

This Solar Appreciation Day (March 10), local military veterans from the historic American Legion Post 41 in south Phoenix, are serving Arizona in a new way. With a recently constructed solar parking structure, Post 41 is harnessing the sun’s rays to help power the state with clean solar energy.

Since 1945, Post 41 has served veterans and community members with important social services and assistance programs. To add to its long legacy of giving back to the community, Post 41 continues to make a positive impact by participating in APS Solar Communities. Through the program, Post 41’s solar parking structure can generate enough clean electricity to power about 70 homes. In turn, Post 41 earns monthly bill credits for its participation and now has shaded parking for veterans.

“We’re extremely proud to give back to our state and participate in the Solar Communities program,” said Dr. Loui Olivas, Post 41 Sr. Vice Commander. “Post 41 is important to our comunidad. We are a part of Arizona’s history and strive to support our veterans. Now, we are giving back to our state in a different way and helping to protect our environment.”

APS Solar Communities connects residential customers with limited-to-moderate incomes and non-profits, schools and government organizations with rooftop solar technologies at no cost. APS covers installation and maintenance expenses, while participants earn bill credits for helping advance clean energy in the state.

“Solar Communities participants are our partners. Together, we work to provide solar power generated right here in Arizona back to the APS grid,” said Kerri Carnes, APS Director of Customer Technology. “This program is making an impact and empowering the communities we serve to help produce reliable, clean and affordable power for all of us.”

 The program is accepting applications until the end of 2023. Visit aps.com/SolarCommunities to learn more.

National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is tomorrow (Jan. 10), but consumers can save all year long with helpful ways to manage their energy usage. Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) encourages customers to practice energy-saving tips to stay comfortable at home and reduce their monthly energy bills.

Ways to cut back energy costs:

• Install a smart thermostat – Use a smart thermostat to save money year-round by automatically programming heating and cooling settings. This can be especially beneficial for customers on APS Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays and Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge to minimize energy use during on-peak hours. APS customers can enroll in APS Cool Rewards to receive instant rebates on the latest thermostats and bill credits for reducing energy use when electricity demand is highest. Visit marketplace.aps.com to take advantage of exclusive discounts on qualifying thermostat models.
• Adjust laundry settings – Wash clothes in cold water. Heating water accounts for up to 90% of the energy needed to run a washing machine. Run an extra spin cycle to remove more water before putting clothes in the dryer. Dry your laundry loads back-to-back while your machine is still warmed up. Line dry clothes whenever possible. Customers on APS Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays and Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge should shift the use of washers, dryers and other appliances to off-peak hours and weekends.
• Make simple changes in the kitchen – Cook a couple meals each week using small appliances, like a toaster oven or air fryer. They use less energy than your oven. Grill outside when possible. Cook multiple dishes at once if you are using the oven.
• Keep your home in tip-top shape – Change air filters monthly to keep AC units running efficiently. Remove sunscreens during cooler months to allow more heat from the sunshine into your home. Put your sunscreens back in place during warmer months while you are using your AC. Switch to LED lightbulbs. LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, an average savings of $55 over the lifetime of the bulb.
• Schedule maintenance checkups – Take advantage of the cooler months in Arizona to schedule maintenance checkups on appliances such as AC units and pool pumps before the summer season. For as low as $99, customers can schedule an in-person home energy audit with an energy expert through the APS Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Checkup program.

Use free APS energy resources – With the Virtual Energy Checkup, energy advisors will walk customers through a personalized virtual tour of their own homes, giving tips on how and where to save energy and money. Customers can schedule a free consultation online at apsvirtualsolutions.com or by calling (888) 663-2734. Customers can also complete the Home Energy Analyzer online survey to see how efficient their home is and get potential savings estimates. Visit aps.com/ea.

APS also offers simple service plans that provide flexibility and affordability. A time-of-use plan often gives customers the greatest opportunity for savings since most hours of the day, all weekend and holidays are lower-cost off-peak hours. Another option is a fixed charge plan where the energy rate stays the same no matter the time of day or day of the week. Learn more at aps.com/plans.

Budget Billing makes it easier for customers to plan ahead by evening out the seasonal highs and lows of energy bills. Payments are about the same every month for customers looking for more predictable bills throughout the year.

For those who may be struggling financially, APS offers more time to pay energy bills, including flexible payment arrangements and monthly discounts for income-qualified customers. Additional support is available for customers facing a financial hardship due to a crisis. To explore resources, visit aps.com/support or contact the APS Customer Care Center. Advisors are available to assist in English and Spanish 24/7 at (602) 371-7171 or (800) 253-9405.

APS’s clean energy plan is focused on achieving environmental and economic gains, all while maintaining affordable, reliable service for our customers. And we want to partner with our customers to do so. How? By innovating around demand-side management (DSM), for starters. Read more about the many ways our customers can connect.

On Arizona’s hottest summer days when energy use is at its highest as air conditioners crank to the max, a network of customers’ smart thermostats, more than 52,000 strong, quietly works as Arizona Public Service Company’s (APS) virtual power plant.

These customers are part of the nationally recognized APS Cool Rewards program, which began in 2018 and provides incentives in the form of bill credits and exclusive discounts to conserve electricity. The program is now recognized as one of the five largest Bring Your Own Thermostat (BYOT) programs in the country and is considered one of the largest utility-managed thermostat virtual power plants.

During just the summer months of 2021, Cool Rewards participants conserved energy by raising their thermostats just a few degrees to help shed nearly 80 megawatts of electricity from the APS system, an equivalent amount to what a small power plant might produce. That energy avoidance saves customers money, benefits the environment and builds a smarter electrical grid.

APS is working with EnergyHub to manage its diverse portfolio of grid-edge devices. EnergyHub’s software platform and services provide APS the ability to manage, grow and operationalize their network of devices for the benefit of the APS grid and market value streams. The partnership has also allowed APS to offer its customers a seamless enrollment experience at the point of purchase by integrating with APS Marketplace.

“APS is a pioneer in leveraging the flexibility of connected devices to help support its clean energy and reliability goals,” said Tyler Rogers, EnergyHub Senior Director of Utility Sales. “EnergyHub is honored to be a long partner with APS, working together to deliver innovative, scalable and customer-centric solutions.”

To offer customers savings on the latest smart home technology, APS is working directly with top thermostat providers. Through special partnership with Google, APS customers have access to promotional pricing for Google Nest Smart Thermostat models, at no cost except shipping and taxes.

"Independent studies show that Nest thermostats save people an average of 10% to 15% on heating and cooling annually,” said Aaron Berndt, Google Head of Industry Partnerships. “Our goal is to provide opportunities for consumers to utilize Google Nest’s Rush Hour Rewards solution within innovative programs such as Cool Rewards and the APS Marketplace and we are thrilled to collaborate with APS and EnergyHub to outfit customers’ homes with energy efficient products like Nest thermostats."

APS Cool Rewards has surpassed the halfway mark to its goal of 100,000 enrolled smart thermostats. The program was recognized earlier this year with the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for excellence in customer energy efficiency programs. To learn more or enroll, visit aps.com/CoolRewards.

Arizona Public Service Co. (APS) today announced the launch of its Going Green & Going Smart Program, a free, virtual training portal that helps small business owners adopt sustainable business practices that save money, energy and attract environmentally minded consumers. 

The Going Green & Going Smart Program is a statewide community effort that puts valuable sustainability resources and energy insights into the hands of small business owners across Arizona. APS partnered with the Compass CBS Foundation to design the program and develop content, which can be accessed at greenbizaz.com. 

The program includes pre-recorded sessions with sustainability experts and an on-demand certificate program that teaches step-by-step how to implement sustainable business practices. Through video lessons, downloadable materials, and knowledge checks, participants will be able to access online resources offering insights from other statewide sustainability programs and APS Solutions for Business rebate information. 

“We see the Going Green & Going Smart program as a great way to help small businesses return from the impacts of COVID-19 stronger and greener than ever,” said Ray Brooks, APS Strategic Partnerships program manager. “We are grateful for the expertise provided by Compass CBS to help us inspire small business owners interested in implementing simple and affordable strategies to reduce waste, save money and grow their bottom line.” 

A complete schedule of expert sessions is now available on the program website. Arizona business owners also can enroll in the on-demand certificate program, where in less than 60 minutes, they will learn how to create sustainable business marketing plans, apply for rebates, and gain other valuable knowledge to capture savings while reducing their carbon footprint. Upon completion of the training, small business owners will receive a Going Green & Going Smart certificate to display at their businesses or on their websites.

While cooler weather is finally here, the past summer brought unprecedented challenges including record heat and energy shortages on the Western grid. Through it all, Arizona Public Service Company (APS) maintained a stable supply of electricity due in part to programs like APS Peak Solutions. Launched in 2010, this program engages commercial and industrial customers in voluntary energy conservation measures when demand for energy peaks on APS’ system. The program helps maintain reliable, lower-cost power for all customers.

APS is partnering with CPower to expand APS Peak Solutions, giving more customers the opportunity to earn financial rewards when they voluntarily reduce their energy use during those times when energy demand intensifies against available supply. A leading provider of demand-side energy management solutions in the U.S., CPower will recruit and consult with industrial and commercial APS customers interested in earning rewards for promoting a safe and reliable grid.

“Nearly 1.3 million homes and businesses rely on APS to deliver reliable power around the clock, and when some of our customers conserve a little, we all win with lower costs and ensuring a safe and reliable energy supply for all,” said Jacob Tetlow, Senior Vice President of Operations for APS. “The APS Peak Solutions program rewards commercial customers who quickly adjust their operations to use less energy for the greater good of all customers.”

CPower will help expand customer participation in the APS Peak Solutions program over the next several years. Participating commercial and industrial customers can receive several benefits for voluntarily conserving energy, including:

• Low-to-No-Risk, High-Reward Opportunity: Customers can earn between hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars based on the amount of energy they conserve. No penalties apply. Customers can contribute as little as 10 kilowatts to start earning rewards.
• Personalized Conservation Plan and Facility Assessment: Demand response experts and engineers will help assess customers’ facilities and tailor a personalized conservation plan to each business’s needs so they can make optimal decisions about day-to-day operations when the grid is stressed.
• Grid Reliability Support: While earning financial rewards, industrial and commercial customers make a valuable contribution to communities across Arizona to ensure safe and reliable energy for all. APS Peak Solutions not only helps maintain a stable energy grid, but also doubles as an energy efficiency program, advancing APS’s clean energy commitment of serving customers with 100% clean, carbon-free electricity by 2050.

“We are extremely excited to be part of the growth of this program through our partnership with APS,” said John Horton, President and CEO of CPower. “We believe that demand response and the value it brings to APS customers will help promote a reliable grid while rewarding them for their help in reducing energy in times of need.”

To learn more about the APS Peak Solutions program and how to enroll, visit https://cpowerenergymanagement.com/aps/.