Tucson, Ariz. –Tucson Electric Power (TEP) is encouraging customers to consider strategies that can help manage cooling costs during the summer, when higher temperatures drive up air conditioning use that typically leads to higher bills. Here are five ways customers can manage their summertime energy bills.

• Sign up for Budget Billing to avoid surprises on your bills. Budget Billing helps smooth out costs by allowing you to pay the same amount each month, no matter how hot it gets, based on your average annual usage. The amount may be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in energy use or pricing. Instead of seeing spikes during the hottest time of the year, your consistent bill can help you better manage your budget. Read about the difference it made for one customer.
• Use your air conditioning efficiently. Air conditioning is one of the largest uses of electricity in homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Set your thermostat at the highest comfortable temperature to minimize your cooling costs. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer. Use ceiling or oscillating fans to keep air moving so you feel cooler without increasing air conditioner use. Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out, especially during the afternoon in rooms facing west. Regularly maintaining your air conditioning unit will help it operate efficiently.
• Track your usage with My Energy Usage. With our online energy tracker, My Energy Usage, you can review your daily and hourly energy 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 on our mobile app to get started. Learning about your usage can help you save energy and consider Time-of-Use and other flexible pricing plans that reward energy conservation during times of high energy demand.
• Tap into our other energy-saving programs. We offer a range of no-cost and low-cost ways to trim your energy use across your home. These include energy-saving tips for every room in your home, including a room-by-room video series. We also offer rebates on energy-efficient products and services.
• Reach out if you’re struggling. You may qualify for bill payment assistance. If you’re behind on your bills, we have options to help make paying your bill a bit easier.

Our Customer Care team is ready to help customers review their options and find energy-saving strategies. Customers are encouraged to call us at 520-623-7711.TEP provides safe, reliable electric service to about 452,000 customers in Southern Arizona. For more information, visit tep.com. TEP and its parent company, UNS Energy, are subsidiaries of Fortis Inc., a leader in the North American regulated electric and gas utility industry. For more information visit fortisinc.com.

News Media ContactJoseph Barrios(520) 884-3725jbarrios@tep.com