Summer’s almost here and that translates into higher electric bills as we cool our homes and increase energy usage. But don’t sweat it: Here are five steps to prep for summer so you can save energy while still staying cool.

Step 1: Give Your A/C some TLC

Your air conditioner has been hibernating through the mild Arizona winter, but the dog days of summer already are ramping up. That means it’s time to get a tune-up for your HVAC system before the extreme heat is upon us.

A/C tune-ups benefit both your equipment and your wallet. Tune-ups ensure the unit is operating optimally, reducing strain on the A/C and keeping your monthly electric bill more stable.

An A/C tune-up generally takes about an hour and includes:

• a check of the condenser coils
• an inspection of your ductwork
• a check of the blower motor and belt
• calibrating your thermostat
• and lubricating parts to prevent friction.

To help you get a jump on summer, TEP, through its participating contractor network, is offering spring HVAC Tune Up rebates to include refrigerant charge repair, $100; indoor coil cleaning, $50, and outdoor coil cleaning, $50.

Step 2: Consider paying the same amount each month.

Managing your budget is a lot easier when you know how much your bills are in advance. Most of us pay lower winter bills and then higher summer bills when we use our air conditioning units more.

With Budget Billing, you’ll pay the same each month all year long, so you’ll know ahead of time how much to set aside for energy costs regardless of the season. Read about one customer’s experience with the program.

Step 3: Beat the Heat (and the Bugs)

The best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat from entering in the first place. Spring is a great time to inspect your home’s weatherstripping and insulation. Conduct a thorough check of all exterior doors and windows. Any gaps mean cool air is escaping your home and probably letting bugs it, too! Caulk around window frames and any exterior wall penetrations like pipes, vents, and electrical equipment. Access your attic and check your insulation, adding to it as needed.

Make sure to change the direction of your ceiling fan blades as well. In the summer months, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise to circulate cool air and push it downward, making you more comfortable without flipping on the A/C.

You can see videos, checklists and other tips on our energy saving resource page.

Step 4: Go Higher-Tech and Earn Rewards

Install a programmable thermostat if you haven’t already done so. Set it to a higher temp when you’re out and set it to cool the house about a half hour before you return home. This saves you money without sacrificing comfort.

And once you’ve installed your thermostat, you can join our Smart Rewards program to earn some additional incentives. The summer surge of air conditioning units, particularly during times of highest energy use, can put a strain on our local grid. That’s where TEP’s Smart Rewards program comes to the rescue, helping to ensure long term system reliability.

When you sign up, you agree to allow your thermostat provider to make brief, small adjustments during peak energy usage times from June 1 to September 30, including weekends and holidays.

You can earn a $50 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard®. Plus, as long as you remain enrolled through the end of the season on Sept. 30, you will receive an additional $40 Prepaid Mastercard per thermostat. That’s a total of up to $90 when you enroll a thermostat.

Read more about one customer’s experience with the program.

Step 5: Track your usage with My Energy Usage.

With our online energy tracker, My Energy Usage, you can review your daily and hourly consumption and compare it to your historic usage. You can also review on-peak, off-peak, and demand usage for the month. Log in to your TEP account online or via the mobile app to get started. Learning about your energy habits and usage patterns can help you save energy and determine which of our pricing plans might be the best fit. Learn more about our Time-of-Use and other flexible pricing plans that reward energy conservation during times of high energy demand. Want to talk through your options? A member of our Customer Care team can walk you through whether any of our plans are a good fit for how you use energy. Call us at 520-623-7711.