Energy savings tips, bill assistance and payment options available
UniSource is well prepared to manage the ongoing impact of triple digit temperatures, including increased air conditioning use and higher energy demand. Through proactive long-term planning, maintenance and upgrades to our local energy grid, we have sufficient resources, supplies, purchase agreements and a diverse energy mix to meet customers’ needs, even during extreme heat.
Our teams take proactive steps to plan and practice so we can manage the summer heat that can often stretch for days without relief
We also know that when daily temperatures skyrocket, such as when Lake Havasu City sweltered through the hottest July on record, that air conditioners are working harder – and using much more energy – to maintain the same indoor temperature. That can drive electric bills higher for many local residents.
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about how we’re supporting customers as the summer wears on:
How is the local energy grid holding up?
Given the extensive infrastructure we need to maintain, we plan years in advance for the extreme heat of summer. Our resource planners work closely with our grid operators and construction teams in tracking regional growth, evaluating forecasted summer temperatures, planning and executing upgrades and making sure there is enough power supply to support the anticipated energy needs of our community and the expectations of our customers.
Our efforts to maintain and improve our systems continue year-round. In 2023 alone, UniSource invested more than $23 million to replace and improve power lines, electric switches, transformers and other components of the local energy grid that delivers reliable, around-the-clock service to homes and businesses throughout our community.
Additionally, our crews take active measures to reinforce our network of more than 320 miles of electric transmission lines running through remote forests and desert areas in Arizona. We also actively patrol and manage transmission line routes to keep trees and other vegetation from growing near electric equipment, which can affect reliability and create wildfire risks.
Is the summer bringing higher demand?
In July, average daily high temperatures were about 5 degrees hotter than normal in Lake Havasu City (114) and Kingman (104), driving up electric bills. In Lake Havasu, daily high temperatures reached 119 or higher on four days. Average residential usage was 1,946 kWh last month, compared to 1,480 kWh in July 2023.
Our customers typically use the most power between 3-7 p.m. That’s why we’re encouraging customers to help us defeat the peak by limiting energy use between those times to reduce strain on the grid and take advantage of plentiful clean energy, such as solar and wind.
How is UniSource supporting customer safety?
We won’t disconnect residential customers for nonpayment during the summer months. We strongly encourage customers to keep making payments throughout the summer to avoid accumulating a large balance that will be hard to pay when cooler weather resumes. Customers with overdue balances after Oct. 15 will be enrolled in a payment arrangement and may be disconnected if they miss their monthly payments to pay down their overdue balances.
How can customers reduce their electric bills?
Given that summer bills tend to climb with the temperature, it’s important to take steps to use energy wisely. Here are a few tips:
Explore ways to save energy: Improving energy efficiency can lower your energy bills while improving your family’s comfort and quality of life. Simple lifestyle modifications can make a big difference, especially if you an conserve energy during times of peak usage. Because home cooling is typically our customers’ largest energy expense, turning up your thermostat a few degrees can make a big difference in your monthly bills. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer and using fans to help you feel cooler. Our Efficient Home program offers rebates for air conditioning tune-ups and also for replacements if your HVAC system just won’t make it through another summer.
Consider a new pricing plan or payment program: Our Budget Billing program levels out seasonal swings in monthly bills so you can pay the same amount year-round. Discounted rates and emergency bill payment assistance also are available to eligible limited-income customers.
Customers with flexibility to adjust when and how they use energy could find opportunities to reduce their monthly energy bill through a variety of pricing plans, including time-of-use rates that offer discounts for usage outside of 3-7 p.m. on weekdays in the summer.
We also offer plans that pair reduced energy charges with a “demand” charge based on your highest on-peak energy use. These plans reward customers who can limit their concurrent use of major appliances, such as dishwashers, pool pumps and washing machines, during on-peak hours.
Our residential lifestyle calculator can help provide insight into which plan might best fit your needs. Customers on these plans might consider pre-cooling before peak hours by setting the thermostat a few degrees lower than normal before 3 p.m. and then setting it a few degrees higher than normal during the on-peak period.
Do you want to get a better understanding how how and when you use energy? Check My Energy Usage through your account online to see your activity on a monthly, daily and hourly basis and compare it to previous bills.
Is financial assistance available for customers?
If you’re falling behind on your bills, we want to help. We offer monthly low-income discounts to qualifying customers. We can also help you learn how to apply for agency assistance and can assist with payment plans if you’re falling behind and need more time to pay.
Visit https://www.uesaz.com/payment-assistance/ or call a Customer Care team member to discuss solutions that might be right for you.
What steps can I take to stay safe all summer?
Just as our crews prepare to stay safe during extreme temperatures, we encourage customers to have a plan to stay safe. With plenty of hot weather still on the way, stay hydrated and check on your neighbors and pets. Brush up on steps you can take in advance to remain safe during an outage.
