Ways to save energy at home

Add porch overhangs or awnings

Install properly sized overhangs and awnings to shade windows from direct sunlight and help reduce indoor heat buildup and reduce your cooling needs.

Adjust thermostat

You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°–10° for eight hours a day from its normal setting.* That’s a big impact on your energy use!

*energy.gov

Avoid draining and refilling your pool

Instead of draining and refilling your pool, consider using technologies like reverse osmosis filtration which removes excess minerals without wasting water or energy. 

Block window heat

Put up shades, blinds or curtains to help block the sun’s heat from entering your home. Windows are the leading source of heat gain, which makes your air conditioner work harder and increases your energy costs.

Change air filters

Change your air filters monthly to improve airflow and protect your equipment. Replacing filters regularly supports your air conditioner’s performance and helps reduce your energy use and bill.*

*energy.gov

Choose low-heat cooking methods

Use slow cookers, Instant Pots, or outdoor grills instead of an oven to reduce excess heat and lower your energy use on warm days.

Cook efficiently

Get the most out of your electric oven or range by cooking at full capacity when possible. Minimize heat loss by using flat-bottomed pans with tight-fitting lids that match the size of the burner.

Create a cool microclimate

Utilize desert-adapted landscaping to help keep surfaces around your home shaded and cooler. Shaded areas can be up to 6 degrees cooler.*

*energy.gov

Cut "vampire" energy

Unplug items like phone chargers, small kitchen appliances and laptops when they are not in use or use smart power strips. "Vampire" appliances and electronics use power in standby mode instead of fully shutting off. They account for about 5%–10% of the energy used in an average home and unplugging them could save you up to $100 per year.* SRP offers instant rebates on power strips.

*energy.gov

Do not run the pool pump during on-peak hours

Pool pumps use a significant amount of electricity. Run your pump during off‑peak hours to help reduce energy use and costs.

Find and repair leaky ducts

Repair leaky ducts to help prevent higher electric bills, as 20%–30% of the air in your home can be lost due to leaky ducts.* SRP offers customers a duct test and repair rebate to help you identify areas where energy might be escaping. 

*energystar.gov

Install a variable-speed pool pump

Installing a variable-speed ENERGY STAR^® certified pool pump and reducing your pumping to less than 3 hours per day could save you up to 60% of your electricity bill for pumping.*

*energy.gov

Keep pool chemicals balanced

Balance your pool chemicals to keep the water clean, which minimizes filtration times and helps save energy.

Limit hot water use during on-peak hours

Shift your use of hot water for things like laundry, showers or dishes to off-peak hours to help avoid higher energy costs. Water heating accounts for about 18% of your home's energy use and is typically the second largest energy expense in any home.*

*energy.gov

Reduce window heat

Add shade screens and window film to reduce heat. Windows account for nearly 50% of the heat that enters your home, making your air conditioner work longer and harder.* SRP offers rebates on these energy-efficiency products.

*energy.gov

Replace an aging AC unit

Upgrade to a high-efficiency AC, heat pump or mini-split system to improve comfort and reduce your energy use. Air conditioning makes up 40%–50% of your summer energy bill* and the SRP Cool Cash™ Rebate could help you save on an energy-efficient upgrade. 

*energystar.gov

Run during off-peak hours

If you have an SRP time-of-day plan, run large appliances like your washer and dryer during off-peak hours to avoid adding heat and humidity to your home during the summer.

Service your AC unit annually

Have your AC inspected annually to help ensure reliable performance, improve efficiency during extreme heat, reduce energy use and save on your bill.

Keep your refrigerator cool

Avoid placing refrigerators or freezers in garages or on patios to prevent them from overworking. Also, keep them well organized to help reduce the time you leave the door open while looking for food. You can test temperatures by placing a thermometer on the middle shelf overnight.

Skip heated dry

Instead of using the heat-dry setting on your dishwasher, air-dry your dishes by turning on the air-dry setting or placing them in a drying wrack.

Use a pool cover

Evaporation is the largest source of energy loss for a pool. Use a conventional or liquid pool cover to reduce evaporation and help conserve water and energy.

Use a pool pump timer

Run your pool pump only as long as necessary—typically 8–12 hours in the summer—to help reduce energy use, especially during off-peak hours.

Use ceiling fans properly

Set ceiling fans to blow air downward (counterclockwise) to create a cooling breeze instead of lowering your thermostat. Remember, ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn off fans in unoccupied rooms to add to your energy savings.

Use energy-efficient lighting

Switch to ENERGY STAR^®–qualified LED bulbs to increase your savings. Lighting accounts for about 8%–10% of your home’s energy use, and the average household saves about $225 in energy costs per year by switching to LED lighting.* Shop SRP Marketplace™ for savings on LED bulbs.

*energy.gov

Use smart thermostats

If your home is equipped with a smart thermostat, help control your energy usage by adjusting temperatures when you’re not home. Through the SRP Bring Your Own Thermostat Program™(BYOT), customers may qualify for instant rebates and bill credits.

Use portable fans

Use portable fans to help keep you cool rather than relying heavily on your air conditioner. Fans cool people, not spaces. Be sure to keep them off when you’re not in the room to reduce energy waste.

Weatherize doors and windows

Weatherize doors and windows to help reduce energy costs, block cold air and prevent temperature loss. Using removable, no-construction methods like window film kits, door snakes or sweeps and rope caulk for gaps offers great energy-saving benefits without damaging paint or walls. SRP Marketplace offers rebates on weatherization kits.