Calling utility companies is first step to beating the heat economically

By J. Graber
Mail | X: @AzNewsmedia

With temperatures already reaching triple digits by mid-March, it’s time to turn on the air conditioners.

And while it may feel nice to cool off, it comes with a cost.

While the cool air is refreshing, even life-saving for some people, it generally means electric bills can soar.

Not everybody can afford that increased cost — especially in this stressed economy — so some try to go without air conditioning, and that can be fatal, particularly for seniors.

The first place to start in making sure the air stays on is talking to your utility provider, according to Kelly McGowan, executive director of Wildfire AZ, a Valley-based nonprofit that works to end poverty throughout the state.

“It’s not always most intuitive or comfortable thing, but if people know they are going to be struggling, I encourage them to reach out to their utility company first and foremost,” McGowan said. “There are a lot of things the utility can do to help people navigate a tough season — a deferred payment, putting them on a payment plan that reduces their monthly payment or extend it out over a period of time.”

And if you’re going to do that, reach out early so you’re ahead of the game, McGowan said.
APS, which is regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission cannot legally shut off electricity during a heat moratorium from June 15 to Oct. 15.

SRP, on the other hand is a different story. It is not subject to that requirement.

“They go in and out of a voluntary moratorium where they will not shut off; typically that’s July and August,” McGowan said.

The problem with moratoriums though, is that people are coming out of them with increasingly exorbitant bills.

“More and more households are not catching up on their behind payments by the time they go into the next moratorium,” McGowan said.”They’re carrying moratorium debt for a full year or more. Health and safety are clearly the priority, but it’s a concern for us. At what point does that debt become insurmountable for a low-income household.”

The SRP Board of Directors recently approved a temporary overall 3% summer price decrease. It will be in effect from May through October.

The average residential customer will experience a monthly bill decrease of $5.57 during the reduction period, depending on electric use and price plan, according to an SRP press release.

SRP also recently adapted their income-qualified program

“Right now, customers who are 150% or below the federal poverty guideline are qualified for $35 a month off of their bill all 12 months of the year,” McGowan said. “Families 151% to 200% (of the federal poverty line) are going to get $10 a month off their bills.”

Likewise, APS customers may qualify for up to 25% or 60% discount on their monthly energy bill based on household income. APS also runs a program with the Salvation Army that offers up to $500 in bill assistance for low-income household. They can also rearrange your payment date to help with the timing of bills.

Checking if you’re on the best rate plan is always important too, said APS spokeswoman Marika Cooley.

“Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our customers and the safety of the community,” Cooley said. “We’re always trying to find ways to make sure that is the primary focus and we just encourage folks to call the customer care center or go on APS.com.”

Once you’ve contacted your utility, Wildfire AZ also offers bill assistance and can also help with the costs of fixing air conditioners to insure people’s bills are as low as possible.
Chicanos Por La Causa, the Maricopa County Human Services Department and the Arizona Department of Economic Security as well as the City of Scottsdale also offer bill assistance.

There are also some practical things people can do to reduce heat, such as keeping curtains or blinds closed, replacing or cleaning the air filter in the air conditioner, checking weather stripping around windows and doors and using ceiling fans can make it feel up to five degrees cooler, but they should spin counter clockwise to push the air down.

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J. Graber
News Editor | Scottsdale

jgraber@iniusa.org

 Meet J.

Graber joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in February 2023, starting his career as a staff writer covering the City of Scottsdale and was named news editor of the Scottsdale Independent in 2024.

Community: He serves on the altar guild as well as being an usher at St. Mathews Episcopal Church in Chandler.  

Education: He earned his BA in creative writing with a minor in journalism from the University of Arizona. He then earned an MS in Mass Communications from the University of Oregon.

Random Fact: He enjoys reading novels by Russian authors.

Hobbies: Playing classical guitar, reading, fishing, going to the gym, watching sports and spending time with his family.