$59 A/C Tune-Up, Inspection per unit
HOW TO READ YOUR APS OR SRP BILL IN ARIZONA — AND LOWER IT THIS SUMMER
West Valley homeowners pay some of the highest summer electric bills in the country. Here's what every line on your APS or SRP bill actually means — and how your HVAC system is the biggest lever you have to reduce it.
APS VS. SRP: WHO SERVES THE WEST VALLEY?
APS (Arizona Public Service)
- Surprise (most of the city)
- Peoria (west of I-17)
- Glendale
- Goodyear
- Buckeye
- Sun City West, Sun City
On-peak hours: 3–8 PM weekdays (summer)
SRP (Salt River Project)
- Parts of Surprise (east/newer developments)
- Peoria (east of I-17)
- El Mirage
- Parts of Glendale (east)
On-peak hours: 2–8 PM weekdays (summer)
Not sure which utility serves your address? Check your bill header or look up your address at aps.com or srpnet.com.
APS RATE PLANS EXPLAINED
APS offers several residential rate plans. The right one depends on when you use electricity — not just how much.
| Plan | Summer Rate | Winter Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS Saver Choice (flat rate) | ~$0.13–$0.16/kWh | ~$0.10–$0.13/kWh | Simple flat rate — no time restrictions |
| APS Saver Choice Plus (TOU) | On-peak: ~$0.28/kWh · Off-peak: ~$0.09/kWh | ~$0.09–$0.11/kWh | On-peak: 3–8 PM weekdays |
| APS Premier Choice (TOU + demand) | TOU rate + demand charge per kW peak | Lower demand charge | Best for low, predictable peak usage |
* Rates are approximate and subject to change. Visit aps.com for current rates.
SRP RATE PLANS EXPLAINED
SRP's time-of-use plans have a 1-hour earlier on-peak window than APS — 2 PM vs. 3 PM — which matters for pre-cooling strategy.
| Plan | Summer Rate | Winter Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SRP E-13 (basic residential) | ~$0.10–$0.14/kWh tiered | ~$0.08–$0.11/kWh | Tiered — higher usage = higher rate |
| SRP E-26 (Time-of-Use) | On-peak: ~$0.28/kWh · Off-peak: ~$0.08/kWh | ~$0.08–$0.10/kWh | On-peak: 2–8 PM weekdays (summer) |
| SRP E-27 (TOU + demand) | TOU + $9–$12/kW demand charge | Lower demand charge | Demand charge based on highest 30-min peak |
* Rates are approximate and subject to change. Visit srpnet.com for current rates.
WHAT EVERY LINE ON YOUR BILL MEANS
Energy Charge (kWh)
The core charge for electricity consumed. On flat-rate plans, this is a single rate. On TOU plans, you'll see separate on-peak and off-peak line items. Your AC accounts for 50–70% of this charge in summer.
Demand Charge (kW)
Charged on some plans based on your highest 15- or 30-minute power draw during the billing period. If your AC, oven, and dryer all run at 3 PM, that peak sets your demand charge for the month. Spreading out appliance use reduces this.
Delivery / Distribution Charge
A fixed charge for maintaining the power lines and infrastructure that deliver electricity to your home. This doesn't change based on usage and can't be reduced by efficiency improvements.
Fuel Adjustment Charge
APS and SRP pass through fuel costs directly to customers. This fluctuates monthly based on natural gas and coal prices — it's outside your control.
Environmental Programs Surcharge
A small per-kWh charge that funds renewable energy programs. Typically $2–$8/month for most residential customers.
Customer Charge (Fixed)
A flat monthly fee ($10–$20) for being connected to the grid, regardless of how much electricity you use. This is the same every month.
6 HVAC MOVES THAT LOWER YOUR APS/SRP BILL
Your AC system is responsible for 50–70% of your summer electric bill. These are the highest-ROI changes you can make.
Pre-cool before on-peak hours
Save $30–$80/monthSet your thermostat to 76°F by 1:30 PM, then raise it to 80°F during on-peak hours (2–8 PM on SRP, 3–8 PM on APS). Your home's thermal mass holds the cool — and you avoid the highest rates.
Use a smart thermostat with utility scheduling
Save $20–$60/monthEcobee and Nest both have built-in SRP and APS rate schedules. They automatically pre-cool before on-peak and reduce runtime during expensive hours — no manual adjustments needed.
Annual AC tune-up before summer
Save $40–$120/seasonA dirty condenser coil forces your AC to run 15–25% harder to achieve the same cooling. Bradford's $59 tune-up includes coil cleaning, refrigerant check, and airflow optimization — directly reducing runtime and kWh consumption.
Change your air filter every 30 days in summer
Save $15–$40/monthA clogged filter restricts airflow and makes your system work harder. In Arizona's dust season (March–October), monthly filter changes can reduce AC runtime by 5–10%.
Seal duct leaks in attic spaces
Save $50–$150/monthAttic temperatures in West Valley homes reach 150°F+ in summer. Leaky ducts dump cooled air directly into the attic — you're paying to cool the sky. Duct sealing typically reduces cooling costs 15–30%.
Upgrade to a higher-SEER system
Save $400–$800/yearA 14-SEER system uses roughly 40% more electricity than a 20-SEER system for the same cooling output. In Arizona's 5–6 month cooling season, that difference can be $400–$800/year in electricity savings.
A DIRTY AC COSTS YOU 15–25% MORE ON YOUR APS/SRP BILL
Bradford's $59 tune-up includes condenser coil cleaning, refrigerant check, airflow optimization, and a full system inspection. Most customers recover the tune-up cost in reduced electricity bills within 1–2 months.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does APS or SRP serve Surprise, Peoria, and the West Valley?
The West Valley is split between both utilities. Surprise is primarily APS, though some newer developments near the Peoria/Surprise border are served by SRP. Peoria is mostly APS west of the I-17 and SRP east of it. Glendale, Goodyear, and Buckeye are primarily APS. Check your bill header or call your utility to confirm your provider.
What is a 'demand charge' on my SRP or APS bill?
A demand charge is based on your highest 15- or 30-minute power draw during the billing period — not your total usage. If your AC, oven, and dryer all run simultaneously at 3 PM on a hot day, that peak demand sets your demand charge for the entire month. Spreading out high-draw appliances and pre-cooling before on-peak hours reduces demand charges significantly.
Why is my APS or SRP bill so high in summer?
Arizona summers combine three factors that spike electric bills: (1) extreme heat forces AC to run 12–16 hours/day, (2) time-of-use rates charge 2–3× more during afternoon peak hours when AC demand is highest, and (3) aging or dirty HVAC equipment runs inefficiently. A Bradford tune-up addresses factor 3 directly.
What is SRP's on-peak window in summer?
SRP's on-peak window for residential time-of-use plans (E-26, E-27) is 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday, from May through October. Weekends and holidays are always off-peak. APS Saver Choice Plus on-peak is 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, weekdays only.
Should I switch to a time-of-use plan?
TOU plans save money if you can shift usage away from on-peak hours — running the dishwasher, laundry, and EV charging after 8 PM. If your household runs AC heavily during the 2–8 PM window and can't shift, a flat-rate plan may cost less. Bradford recommends pairing a TOU plan with a smart thermostat that pre-cools before on-peak hours.
How much can a new high-efficiency AC save on my APS/SRP bill?
Upgrading from a 14-SEER to a 20-SEER system can reduce cooling electricity use by 30–40%. In Arizona's 5–6 month cooling season, that typically translates to $400–$800/year in savings. Bradford offers Trane XR and XV series systems with SEER ratings up to 22, and RunTru by Trane as a budget-friendly option.
Does a smart thermostat really lower my APS/SRP bill?
Yes — especially on TOU plans. Ecobee and Nest have built-in APS and SRP rate schedules. They automatically pre-cool your home to 76°F before on-peak hours, then raise the setpoint during expensive hours. Most West Valley homeowners report $20–$60/month savings after installation.
What's the fastest way to lower my electric bill this summer?
The fastest wins are: (1) raise your thermostat to 78–80°F during on-peak hours and pre-cool to 76°F beforehand, (2) change your air filter today if it's been more than 30 days, and (3) schedule a Bradford tune-up — a dirty condenser coil alone can add 15–25% to your cooling costs.
Ready to Lower Your APS or SRP Bill?
Bradford's $59 tune-up is the fastest way to reduce your AC's electricity consumption before the peak of summer. Same-day service in Surprise, Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, and the West Valley.
The #1 Way to Lower Your APS or SRP Bill in Arizona
A dirty or poorly maintained AC system can use 15–25% more electricity than a clean, tuned system. In Arizona's summer heat, that's $50–$150/month in wasted energy. Bradford's $59 AC tune-up includes condenser coil cleaning, refrigerant check, and a full 21-point inspection — the single highest-ROI thing you can do before summer.