APS Rate Hike 2026: How a 14% Electricity Increase Impacts Your HVAC Costs

Arizona Public Service (APS) has asked the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve a nearly 14% electricity rate increase, potentially taking effect as early as July 8, 2026 — right in the middle of peak cooling season. For a typical Phoenix residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month, that translates to roughly $20 more per month. But here's the reality most Phoenix homeowners face: during summer, your AC accounts for 50-70% of your electricity bill, and usage often exceeds 2,000-3,000 kWh. That means the real impact could be $40-$60+ more per month during June through September. SRP customers aren't off the hook either — Salt River Project already implemented a 2.4% rate increase and raised fixed monthly service charges by 50%.

The most effective way to fight rising energy costs in Phoenix is to ensure your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency. A poorly maintained AC can use 20-30% more electricity than a well-tuned system — that's hundreds of dollars per summer wasted. Simple steps make a real difference: change your air filters every 30 days during summer (a clogged filter forces your system to work harder), keep your outdoor condenser unit clear of debris and consider adding a shade structure over it, seal any visible ductwork leaks (leaky ducts can waste up to 30% of cooled air), and upgrade to a programmable or smart thermostat to avoid cooling an empty house. If your AC system is over 10 years old, a modern high-efficiency replacement (16+ SEER2) can cut your cooling costs by 30-50% compared to an older unit.

At Zebra Home Services, we help Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, and Prescott homeowners maximize their HVAC efficiency and minimize energy waste. Our professional maintenance tune-up includes cleaning condenser coils, checking refrigerant levels, testing electrical components, and measuring system performance — all the things that keep your AC running efficiently and your bills as low as possible. Our maintenance plan at $280/year (or $20/month) pays for itself in energy savings alone. With APS rates going up, now is the worst possible time to have an inefficient AC system. Call 602-725-8082 or request service online to schedule your efficiency tune-up before the rate hike hits in July.