Becoming energy-efficient at home doesn’t happen overnight. But getting started is easier than you think. In fact, in just three steps, you can see where your energy dollars go, cut cooling costs with easy upgrades and earn rewards for helping grid operations. Even better? You don’t have to change your lifestyle.

Step 1: Understand Your Energy Use

Every energy-saving journey begins with information. Before you can reduce your bill or increase your comfort, you need to know how much energy you’re using and where it’s going.

Check Your Usage Anytime

Log in to your TEP account to see your energy consumption history. The My Account dashboard shows how much you’ve used this month compared to previous months. You can also check out My Energy Usage, for an hour-by-hour view of your usage to gain a deeper understanding of your energy habits.  Knowing your baseline is the first step toward changing it.

Explore Energy-Saving Tips

Visit TEP’s website for a full library of energy efficiency tips tailored to Tucson’s desert climate. From adjusting your thermostat schedule to choosing the right window treatments, small changes add up fast.

Find the Right Rate Plan

Are you on the best rate for your lifestyle? TEP’s online rate comparison tool lets you enter your usage and see which plan could be a good fit to help you save.

Quick Action:

• Download the TEP app or log in to MyAccount to view your energy use.
• Browse energy-saving tips at EnergyEfficiency.
• Use the Rate Comparison Tool to see if a different rate plan could lower your bill.

Step 2: Seal and Upgrade Your Home

Once you know your usage, it’s time to act. Weatherization, essentially a way of sealing and insulating your home, is one of the most effective and lasting ways to cut energy costs and stay comfortable year-round.

Easy Wins:

Request a Free DIY Energy Efficiency Kit

TEP offers free DIY energy efficiency kits filled with easy-to-install products like LED bulbs, weatherstripping, and outlet gaskets. These small fixes can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and your bill.

Schedule a Virtual Energy Audit

Not sure where your home is losing energy? A TEP virtual energy audit connects you with an expert who reviews your home’s energy profile and identifies the biggest opportunities for savings. It’s free and tailored to your home.

Shop the TEP Marketplace

TEP’s online Marketplace makes it easy to purchase energy-efficient products—like smart thermostats, efficient showerheads, and more—often at a discount. Products are vetted for performance and come with resources to help you install them.

Bigger Payoff Projects

• Seal gaps around doors, windows, and outlets.
• Add or improve attic insulation to reduce heat gain.
• Install a smart thermostat to avoid cooling an empty house.

Step 3: Explore Programs that Pay You Back

Once your home is running efficiently, you’re ready to take the next step: participating in demand response programs. These programs automatically reduce your energy use during the hottest hours so you can earn rewards while TEP keeps the grid operating reliably.  Your small actions help prevent strain on the electrical grid, which benefits you and everyone in the community.

Smart Thermostats

Enroll your smart thermostat in Smart Rewards to allow slight temperature adjustments during peak demand events, typically on hot summer afternoons. TEP pre-cools your home before the event so you stay comfortable throughout. Some customers report barely noticing the difference. And you maintain control of your thermostat at all times. In return, you receive a $50 gift card at the end of the summer season.

Home Batteries

If you have or are considering a home battery, TEP’s Energy Storage Rewards program provides compensation when your battery helps support the grid during peak events. Like the thermostat program, TEP coordinates these events to minimize impacts on your daily routine.

Managed EV Charging

Electric vehicle owners can enroll in TEP’s Smart Charge program, which optimizes when your vehicle charges based on grid conditions. Participating drivers can earn incentives simply by letting TEP schedule charging during off-peak hours. No extra effort required.

Time-of-Use Pricing Plans

On a time-of-use plan, electricity costs less during off-peak hours (typically evenings, nights, and weekends) and more during peak times (weekday afternoons in summer). If you can shift energy-intensive activities—laundry, dishwasher, pool pump, EV charging—to off-peak times, these plans can significantly reduce your monthly bill.

Why It Matters

Energy efficiency starts with awareness and gets easier with smart tools and programs. Start with one step today and build from there. Log into My Account to get started.