Free Money You Left on the Table: Fall Is When Phoenix Homeowners Should Lock In Demand-Response Rebates

Your AC just worked overtime for a Phoenix summer. Here’s a small thank-you most homeowners never collect: utility programs that pay you to let your smart thermostat ease up a couple of degrees on the hottest afternoons.

It’s not glamorous money, but it’s easy money, and fall is the best time to set it up. Here’s how the program works, what it asks of you, and why pairing it with a fall tune-up is the smart way to head into next summer.

What APS Cool Rewards pays

APS Cool Rewards gives you a $50 bill credit when you enroll a smart thermostat, plus a $35 credit each year you participate. That’s up to $85 in your first year, per thermostat. Let’s be clear about scale: this won’t pay for a new AC. It’s a free credit for something you’ll barely notice.

Here’s how it works:

• Events run June 1 through September 30, with up to 20 per season.
• Most last two to three hours, typically in the late afternoon.
• Your thermostat nudges the temperature up a few degrees. Most brands pre-cool your home first, and you can override any event.
• Eligible thermostats include Nest, Honeywell Home, ecobee, Sensi, ADC/Vivint, Lux and Amazon models that are internet-connected and control central AC.

SRP runs its own smart-thermostat program with different amounts and rules, so check srpnet.com for current terms before you choose a thermostat.

What it feels like in practice

The idea behind these programs is simple: on the hottest late afternoons, the whole Valley’s air conditioners are running at once, and the grid is at its most strained. A small, coordinated pause helps the utility avoid the most expensive power. Because most thermostats pre-cool the house first, events are designed to be easy to miss.

If you’re home and uncomfortable, you can override it. Read the program’s participation rules before you enroll so you know how opting out of an event could affect your credit.

Do you already have a compatible thermostat?

Check before you buy anything:

1. Look at the brand and model. If it’s on the eligible list and connects to Wi-Fi, you may already qualify.
2. Check that it controls central AC. A thermostat that only runs a room unit or a baseboard heater doesn’t count.
3. Make sure your account is linked. The thermostat, your utility account and the app all need to talk to each other.
4. If you have a non-smart thermostat, an upgrade is the first step. A professional install is worth it if you’re not sure about the wiring.

Why fall is the right time

This season’s events just wrapped up, and nothing kicks off again until next June. That makes fall the calm window to install or upgrade a smart thermostat, get enrolled, and work out any wiring quirks without a 112-degree deadline hanging over you.

Pair it with a tune-up

Fall is also when HVAC schedules are wide open. Book a tune-up now and a technician can check refrigerant, coils, the capacitor, airflow and thermostat wiring while it’s easy to get an appointment. If something turns up, it’s far better to learn that in October than on the first 110-degree day of next year, when everyone is calling for repairs at once.

A system that’s been checked also tends to respond better to a thermostat that pre-cools and cycles. If your AC struggles to keep up on hot afternoons, a smart thermostat program won’t fix that, but a technician can tell you why.

Ask us about our Comfort Club maintenance plan if you’d rather have the tune-up on autopilot.

A quick fall checklist

• Enroll or re-enroll in your utility’s thermostat program
• Replace your air filter
• Clear leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit
• Book a professional tune-up before the spring rush
• Note any strange noises, weak airflow or long run times to mention to the technician

Schedule a fall tune-up and rebate check. We’ll look at your system and thermostat and help you see what’s needed for your Phoenix-area home. Call 800-306-6953 or visit empoweryourhome.com.