Summer afternoons in Peoria can send your air conditioner into overdrive and your electric bill up with it. If you are on an Arizona Public Service time-of-use plan, those late-day hours are often the most expensive. You are not stuck paying more for comfort, though. With a few simple changes to when and how you use energy, you can lower costs and keep your home comfortable.
This guide explains how APS time-of-use works, why Peoria’s climate makes timing so important, and the best steps you can take right away. You will learn practical pre-cooling tactics, smart thermostat setups, and how to shift big appliances to cheaper hours. Let’s dive in.
APS time-of-use basics in Peoria
Time-of-use, or TOU, means electricity prices change by the hour. Utilities set on-peak, off-peak, and sometimes mid-peak periods to reflect when energy is harder or easier to supply. In hot desert cities like Peoria, the highest-demand hours usually land in the late afternoon into early evening, especially in summer when AC use is heavy.
Exact on-peak windows, seasons, and rate details depend on your APS plan and meter type. Always check your specific plan in your APS online account or the APS rates pages for current information. You can start by visiting the APS website and navigating to rates and plans at APS.
Why late-day hours cost more
Peoria’s long, hot summers push cooling demand up in the afternoon and early evening. At the same time, solar production across the region falls as the sun lowers, which can tighten supply right when many homes are still cooling. That pattern is why simple timing strategies often work so well here.
Pre-cooling for comfort and savings
Pre-cooling means you cool the home a bit more before the on-peak window starts, then let the temperature drift slightly higher during the costly hours. You use your home’s walls, floors, and furnishings as thermal storage so the space stays comfortable.
How to pre-cool step by step
- Start early. Begin cooling about 30 to 90 minutes before the on-peak window begins. The exact timing depends on your home’s insulation and how quickly it warms.
- Make a small setpoint change. Lower your thermostat only a few degrees below your normal comfort setting for that short pre-cool period. Avoid extreme overcooling.
- Ride through the peak. At the start of on-peak, raise the setpoint a few degrees and let the stored “coolth” carry you through.
- Reduce heat gains. Close blinds on west and south windows, switch off unneeded lights, and avoid oven use during the peak. Consider grilling or using a microwave instead.
- Use fans for comfort. Ceiling and portable fans help you feel cooler at slightly higher setpoints. Turn fans off when you leave the room.
For general cooling guidance, the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR recommend setting cooling around the high 70s when you are home and active, then going higher when you are away. Every degree higher reduces energy use. Learn more from federal efficiency resources at the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR.
Fine-tune your setpoints
- Establish a daily baseline. Pick a comfortable daytime setpoint you can maintain most days.
- Pre-cool just below baseline. Go 1 to 3 degrees cooler for a short period before peak.
- During peak, raise slightly. Let your thermostat drift a few degrees up while you use shading and fans.
- Night adjustments. If safe and comfortable, allow a slightly higher nighttime setpoint or use fans to ease AC runtime.
Homes with tile, concrete, or brick often hold pre-cool longer. Lightweight or leaky homes may warm faster and need earlier starts. If your home loses cool quickly, focus on sealing air leaks and shading to boost results.
Smart thermostat setups that work
A smart thermostat makes TOU planning easier because it can pre-cool on schedule, adjust when you leave, and hold a slightly higher setpoint during peak windows.
Key features to use:
- Scheduling. Set weekday and weekend programs that pre-cool before on-peak periods and raise the setpoint during peak.
- Pre-conditioning. Some models have a pre-cool feature that starts cooling at the right time based on your settings.
- Geofencing. Let the thermostat shift to an “away” mode automatically if no one is home near peak hours.
- Learning and adaptive control. Many devices learn how your home responds and will start pre-cooling at the best moment.
- Remote control. Use your phone to override or adjust if your schedule changes.
Tip: Test your schedule for a few days, then adjust start times and setpoints based on how the home feels during peak. You can find general smart thermostat guidance through the U.S. Department of Energy.
APS may offer periodic rebates or demand-response programs that work with select smart thermostats. Always review current options in your APS account or on program pages through APS before you buy.
Shift big loads off peak
Your air conditioner is the top priority, but several other appliances have a big impact on your bill. Use timers, built-in delay starts, or smart controls to move these to off-peak hours.
- Pool pump. In many Arizona homes, the pool pump is the second-largest load in summer. Run it during off-peak windows or overnight. If you have a variable-speed pump, run it longer at lower speeds for better efficiency. Keep total circulation time as recommended by your pool pro to maintain water quality.
- Electric vehicle charging. Schedule EV charging for off-peak hours. Rate-aware chargers and vehicle apps make this easy.
- Water heater. If you have an electric tank, use a timer or smart controller to heat water during off-peak. Insulate hot water pipes to hold heat longer.
- Dishwasher and laundry. Use the delay start so cycles run during off-peak periods. Wash with cold water when practical.
- Oven and dryer. Where possible, shift use outside the on-peak window. Consider smaller appliances or air-dry options when handy.
For broader appliance efficiency tips, explore resources at ENERGY STAR.
A sample day plan
This schedule is illustrative. Always check your actual on-peak hours in your APS account.
- Early morning: Run the dishwasher and a short pool pump cycle. Pre-cool is not needed yet.
- Midday: Keep blinds down on sunny sides. Avoid adding internal heat.
- Before on-peak: Start a brief pre-cool. Finish laundry or cooking before the peak.
- During on-peak: Raise the thermostat a few degrees. Use fans and avoid major appliances.
- After on-peak: Resume normal setpoint. Run EV charging and any remaining pool pump time.
Solar, batteries, and TOU timing
If you have rooftop solar, you produce the most energy around midday. On-peak pricing may extend into late afternoon or early evening, when solar output falls. Pre-cooling can help you use your own midday solar to carry comfort into the pricier hours. If you have or are considering battery storage, you may be able to shift some of your solar energy into the on-peak window. For background on solar and storage dynamics, see resources from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Health and safety first
Do not compromise health during extreme heat. If your household includes infants, older adults, or anyone with medical needs, keep your home at the temperatures your care team recommends. During heat advisories, follow local guidance from Maricopa County at Maricopa County and prioritize safety.
Try a 7-day TOU experiment
Start small. You can see clear patterns with one week of intentional scheduling.
- Day 1: Confirm your APS plan and identify on-peak hours in your account.
- Day 2: Program your thermostat with a short pre-cool and a slightly higher peak setpoint.
- Day 3: Set delay starts for dishwasher and laundry so cycles run off-peak.
- Day 4: Adjust pool pump timers to run mostly off-peak at lower speed if available.
- Day 5: Close blinds on sunny exposures by early afternoon and reduce internal heat.
- Day 6: Review comfort. Tweak pre-cool timing by 15 to 30 minutes as needed.
- Day 7: Compare your daily usage patterns in your APS account and note what worked.
Quick homeowner checklist
- Verify your APS rate plan and current TOU windows in your account at APS.
- Program a smart thermostat with a short pre-cool before on-peak and a higher setpoint during peak.
- Shift pool pumps, EV charging, water-heater recovery, dishwasher, and laundry to off-peak with timers or delay start.
- Improve shading and seal air leaks to boost comfort and reduce runtime.
- Check for APS rebates and demand-response options before buying new devices.
- Monitor your bill and usage for a few months. Adjust schedules based on comfort and results.
Next steps with APS and regulators
Since TOU details change, always confirm your plan in your APS account. For official rate filings and plan descriptions, you can also visit the Arizona Corporation Commission. If you plan to add equipment like a smart thermostat, pool pump, or EV charger, review current APS program options on the APS site.
Ready to make your home work smarter?
Energy-smart habits can improve comfort today and add value when you decide to buy or sell in the Phoenix area. If you want local guidance on which home features resonate with buyers and how efficiency upgrades may support your pricing strategy, reach out. Get a personalized market conversation and a quick home value estimate by contacting Unknown Company. Get Your Home Valuation.
FAQs
What are APS on-peak hours for Peoria?
- On-peak windows vary by plan and season. Log in to your APS account and review your specific time-of-use schedule at APS for current details.
How much should I pre-cool without wasting energy?
- Lower your thermostat only 1 to 3 degrees below your normal setpoint for a short period before on-peak, then raise it during peak. Federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR supports modest, time-limited adjustments.
Can a smart thermostat help me avoid peak rates?
- Yes. Use scheduling, pre-conditioning, and geofencing to pre-cool before on-peak and hold higher setpoints during peak. Before buying, check for current APS compatibility and incentives at APS.
When should I run my pool pump in Peoria?
- Shift most run time to off-peak periods or overnight. Variable-speed pumps are more efficient and easier to schedule at lower speeds. Keep enough circulation to maintain water quality and consult manufacturer guidance or your pool pro. See general efficiency tips at ENERGY STAR.
How do TOU rates affect homes with solar in Peoria?
- Solar output peaks midday while many on-peak windows are later in the day. Pre-cooling lets you use midday solar to reduce late-day cooling. Batteries can shift some solar into on-peak hours. Explore background resources at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
