Arizona
Utility Energy Efficiency Programs
Updated: September 2011
Overview
Arizona has seen a high growth rate in population of 3.3% per year on average
from 2000-2006. Arizona utilities forecast that electricity demand will grow
about 3.5% per year, compared to 2% for the nation on average. Peak demand for
electricity doubled in fifteen years between 1990 and 2005, from 8,000 MW to
16,000 MW.
Peak demand for electricity is forecasted to double over the next twenty
years, 2006-2025, from 16,000 MW to 32,000 MW. This increase requires an
additional 16,000 MW of resources, equivalent to about 32 large power plants.
The state is served by two investor-owned utilities: Arizona Public Service
Company (APS) and Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP). APS is the largest
electric utility with over 1.1 million customers in 11 of the 15 counties in the
state. TEP serves nearly 400,000 customers in southern Arizona. Salt River
Project (SRP) is a private corporation serving about 950,000 customers in the
metro Phoenix and nearby areas. Thirteen electric cooperatives serve the remaining electric
customers in Arizona. Natural gas is provided by Southwest Gas and UniSource
Energy Services.
Over the last several years Arizona's utilities have significantly expanded
their energy conservation program offerings. Below is a list of the programs
offered by each utility:
- Electricity Demand-Side Management
- Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
(scroll down to view details)
Electricity Demand-Side Management
Arizona Public Service (APS)
Complete and current descriptions
of all APS energy saving programs can be accessed
through the “APS
Green Choice” web page.
Energy Efficiency Solutions for Business Program
APS offers a variety of incentives, training, and energy
information services to business customers to improve
energy efficiency.
-
Prescriptive,
custom and energy study incentives are
available to business customers for both
retrofit and new construction projects.
Incentive levels for specific qualifying
measures vary depending on business size
and the technology. APS also provides
incentives for the partial reimbursement
of feasibility studies, design
assistance, commissioning, and
retro-commissioning services intended to
improve the energy efficiency of a new
or existing facility.
-
APS offers Energy
Information Services (EIS) for medium to
large business customers. With a meter
upgrade, EIS creates a detailed, easy to
read load profile of actual energy
consumption that can be compared against
a backdrop of relevant variables.
Residential Energy Saving Rebates & Programs
APS offers a
variety of incentives and programs to help their
residential customers save energy, including:
-
Energy-Efficient
Air Conditioning Rebate Program
APS offers an air conditioning rebate
for residential customers to upgrade
their AC units. To be eligible, AC units
must meet both the SEER and EER values.
This incentive is offered only for
replacement equipment; new construction
is not eligible.
-
ENERGY STAR®
Homes
APS has teamed with a number of Arizona
homebuilders to create the APS ENERGY
STAR Homes program. APS collaborates
with the homebuilders to ensure that
these ENERGY STAR Homes meet or exceed
the ENERGY STAR standards. Energy
efficiency features incorporated into
these homes include improved insulation,
high-efficiency air conditioning
systems, highly-efficient lighting
fixtures and appliances, and
energy-efficient Low-E windows, amongst
others. Upon completion, a certified
independent contractor tests the homes
to ensure they are performing to the
ENERGY STAR standard.
-
Discounts on
Energy-Efficient Lighting
While supplies last, APS partners with
local retailers to promote and offer
discounts on compact fluorescent
lighting.
-
Refrigerator Recycle Program
APS will pick up an old refrigerator or freezer and
recycle it, providing the consumer with
a $30 rebate.
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Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP)
TEP offers a
variety of energy efficiency and conservation programs
for
business and
residential customers, including:
-
Time-of-Use
Rates (TOU) or PowerShift
Available to both business and
residential customers, the TOU program
offers customers a reduced electric rate
for shifting their energy use from peak
periods (Monday through Friday from 9am
- 5pm) to off-peak hours.
-
Low-Income
Weatherization Program
The TEP Weatherization program's
aim is to reduce low-income customers'
energy use, reduce their electric and
gas bills and improve comfort.
-
Guarantee Home Program
TEP's
Guarantee Home program utilizes a systems approach to home
construction, addressing the health and
safety, comfort, durability, and energy
efficiency of new homes using the latest
building science information. Homeowners
participating in the Guarantee Program
automatically receive the lowest
electric rate offered by TEP, with the
potential for customers to save up to
35% on their electric bill. TEP
guarantees the home's heating and
cooling operating costs, plus overall
comfort, for up to five years, based on
the typical kilowatt hour (kWh) usage
for the individual homes. If the annual
cost exceeds the pre-determined amount,
TEP credits the difference to the
homeowner. More than 50 Tucson-area
builders participate in the Guarantee
Home Program.
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Salt River Project (SRP)
SRP’s
Business
efficiency programs
include rebates for:
-
Lighting, HVAC,
motors and refrigeration equipment
-
Custom energy
efficiency projects
-
New-construction
design assistance
-
Retrocommissioning
of existing major mechanical and
electrical systems
-
Small business
lighting audit
SRP’s
Residential efficiency programs include:
-
Appliance Recycling
SRP provides free pickup and a $30 check
for recycling extra fridges and
freezers. Nearly 95% of the unit's
materials are recycled.
-
Home Energy Manager
This online tool provides customers with
personalized recommendations for saving
energy and reducing utility costs.
-
PowerWise Homes Program
SRP's
PowerWise program provides
participating homebuilders significant
market exposure; increases consumer
awareness of energy-efficient
homebuilding techniques, materials, and
appliances; and spurs demand for
energy-efficient homes.
-
Compact fluorescent light bulbs
(CFLs) Discount
The CFL program offers discounts on
light bulbs at participating stores in
its service area.
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Dixie-Escalante Rural Electric Cooperative
This cooperative offers
rebates for
efficient electric heat pumps, electric water heaters, or dual fuel heating and
cooling to replace less efficient equipment or in new home construction. Service
rebates are also available.
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Navopache Electric Cooperative
NEC offers
Time-of-Use
rates to members willing to change their lifestyle by using much of their
electricity during off-peak times. Members receive a discounted rate during
off-peak hours to encourage them to use their electricity then. A service charge
is applied.
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Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC)
SSVEC offers a
residential
rebate program for homes that switch to a 14 SEER or higher electric or dual
fuel heat pump.
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Natural Gas Demand-Side Management
Southwest Gas
Southwest Gas offers a variety of energy
efficiency programs in Arizona, including:
- Low-Income Energy Conservation
Program
- Smarter Greener Better Homes
Program
- Residential High-Efficiency
Equipment Rebate Program
- Combined Heat and Power
Program
- Commercial High-Efficiency
Equipment Rebate Program
- Large Commercial
Energy-Efficient Boiler Program
For information on Southwest Gas DSM
programs, visit:
www.swgas.com/efficiency/az/.
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