Summertime Blues

Opinion by Drew Williamson

© 2026 Williamson News Service LLC

 Arizona residents are entering the season of the summertime blues when my electrical use spikes June through August by more than 40%. 

Ouch, that burns!

 I have been reviewing my Salt River Project (SRP) monthly bills for the past three years. I get a feeling of helplessness looking at the numbers for cost and usage. It’s so depressing! The seasonal variations are beyond my control. First, a short powerful prayer to regain my center:

God, grant me the Courage to Change the things I can,

The Serenity to Accept the things I can’t,

And the Wisdom to Know the difference.

OK, I am going to commit to doing what I can to lower my bills this summer. Please join me in my quest.

 We already have done a lot of the big things that are traditionally recommended, such as adding extra insulation in the attic and installing dual-pane energy saver windows with solar screens. We even put roll-down exterior solar shades over four of the “hotter” windows.  I am studying bigger projects, such as adding rooftop solar with battery backup down the line.

One decision we have made is to set the thermostat at 79 degrees. That seems to be the highest temperature at which we can survive amicably. Our home is occupied throughout the day so we can’t set the timer to turn the air conditioning off after everybody has left for work or school and then turn it back on right before we get back home.

We are trying to take advantage of the E-27 rate schedule in which we move some electrical use to “off peak” hours from 2pm to 8pm between May 1 and Oct. 31. That means no laundry or pool pump between 2pm and 8pm this summer.

The SRP website allows users to see their electrical usage broken down by cost, total usage and usage during off-peak and on-peak hours. The usage is in kilowatts per hour (KWH). I’d rather not bore you with the definition of a KWH. For the purposes of our project, let’s just say using fewer KWHs is better. And, for the KWHs you do use, less “On Peak” is better.

Lower “On Peak” usage will get added importance if we decide to add rooftop solar and stay with the E-27 rate schedule. How shall I say this kindly? SRP has an additional disincentive for rooftop solar customers who need back up power during “On Peak” hours. You are essentially being judged based on your worst moment. Who likes that?

If you are the type of reader who enjoys Sudoku or Wordle puzzles, you might want to try reviewing the SRP rate schedules online. I find them consumer unfriendly.

We have a 3,300-square-foot home. Our “On Peak” usage ranges too widely, from 21% one wonderful November in 2024 to an out of control 28% this May. Our highest cost was $846 in June 2024.

I admit I took my eye off the ball these last few years. Forgive me. I am going to do better. Wish me luck!

Drew Williamson is a freelance writer in Arizona. His professional expertise includes newspaper reporting and editing, advertising sales and management, and investment advising and retirement planning. He has a BA in Journalism/Political Science from the UA in Tucson and a MBA in Strategic Management from ASU in Tempe. He is a proud member of the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ).