Whether you’re planning a move to Tucson, or you’re a longtime resident thinking “My electric bill sure takes a large chunk out of my bank account each month. Is this normal?”, it’s useful to know what the going rate for electricity is.
With energy costs constantly changing and the ever-growing shift towards renewable energy, understanding how your utility bills break down is critical. This understanding can help you balance your monthly budget as well as make well-informed decisions about switching to a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution like solar energy.
So, let’s get started breaking down what makes up the average electricity bill in Tucson.
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Understanding Tucson Utility Bills: A Deeper Perspective
The average Tucson electricity bill can fluctuate significantly based on different data sources, with estimates ranging from $109 to $255 per month. However, the average bill is generally regarded as approximately $130 per month. The final amount you pay is heavily shaped by numerous factors, including your home’s size and insulation, your choice of appliances, their usage frequency, and their energy efficiency, in addition to various structural and lifestyle factors.
Understanding that electricity costs in Tucson can fluctuate notably throughout the year is crucial.
With the scorching desert summers, it’s no surprise that utility bills tend to spike during this season compared to the more temperate fall and winter months.
It’s also worth noting that the average energy expenses steadily rise annually, largely due to Tucson Electric Power’s consistent 10% yearly rate hikes.
In sunny Tucson, the average electricity bill varies widely due to a range of factors. The size and orientation of your home, its insulation, and the efficiency of appliances all play a role. Additionally, the local climate, utility rates, and even the direction your house faces can impact monthly costs.
While some factors can be changed through home improvements, others are more fixed. So, whether you’re basking in the desert sun or keeping cool in the shade, understanding these variables, some of which are included below, can help you manage your electric bills more effectively.
- Home Size: Larger homes typically require more energy for heating and cooling.
- Orientation: The direction your home faces can impact its exposure to sunlight and heat, affecting cooling and heating needs.
- Insulation: Well-insulated homes are more energy-efficient and require less heating and cooling.
- Age of the Home: Older homes may have less energy-efficient construction and appliances.
- Roof Type and Color: Roof materials and color can influence heat absorption, affecting indoor temperatures.
- Window Quality: Energy-efficient windows help maintain interior temperatures.
- Shade and Trees: Natural shade from trees can reduce cooling needs.
- Ductwork Condition: Leaky or uninsulated ducts can lead to energy loss.
- Appliance Efficiency: Energy-efficient appliances use less electricity.
- Water Heater Efficiency: A high-efficiency water heater consumes less energy.
- Thermostat Type: Programmable thermostats can optimize heating and cooling.
- Home Layout: The arrangement of rooms can impact airflow and heating/cooling distribution.
- Pool or Spa: Maintaining pools and spas can consume substantial electricity.
- Solar Panels: The presence of solar panels can reduce electricity bills.
Average Utilities: Official Sources
Finding reliable data on what the average utility bill in Tucson is not an easy feat. Figures that are reported vary widely, as you can see from the table below. We’re unaware of any data that shows the median and mode, nor have we seen a breakdown by month. However, these data still give a good overview of how Tucson energy bills stack up.
| Average Electric Bill | Reporting Data Source |
|---|---|
| $109.16 | Find Energy (reporting on Tucson consumption from Tucson Electric Power only) |
| $120 | Electricity Local (reporting on Arizona as a whole) |
| $129.18 | Find Energy (reporting on Tucson consumption from Trico Electricity Cooperative only) |
| $131.40 | Making Action Possible for Southern Arizona (reporting on all of Arizona) |
| $179.57 | Rent Cafe (reporting data from Cost of Living Index, a proprietary dataset published by The Council for Community and Economic Research) |
| $255 | EnergySage, (reporting on Tucson consumption with the formula 1,505 kWh * 17 ¢/kWh |
Average Utilities: What Residents Experience
Average bills are all well and good, but a cursory glance at the Tucson sub-Reddit will show that many homeowners and renters in the area face an alarmingly high electric bill. If you’re dealing with an extremely high bill here in Tucson, you’re certainly not alone.
I live in Yuma, and even with my A/C set above 80, my monthly bill is still above $300 monthly during the summer, but that's better than the $4-500 bills I was paying before.
I live in a 1950s ranch, 3 bed, 2 bath, 1700 sq ft. Single pane windows, beam ceiling so no roof insulation. Summer bills for me are $300-$400.
$404, and I’ve been desperately trying to turn stuff off. [The] AC set at 79. [My house is] 1900 sf and [I have a] pool.
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Tips for Lowering Your Energy Bill
If your bill falls on the higher end of the average, don’t despair – there are quite a few things you can do to lower it! We turned back to Reddit to discover what people are actually doing to move the needle on their bills (and added a few in of our own).
The great thing about these tips is that anything you do to lower your energy also makes a difference to the environment.
- Use Energy Efficient Appliances: Swap old appliances for energy-efficient models. They might cost more upfront but will save you money in the long term.
- Seal Doors and Windows: Seal any air leaks in your doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk. Renting? “Check the seal of your windows and doors and have the landlord fix any gaps if they’re letting hot air in.”
- Insulate Your Home: Add insulation to your attic and walls to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This can massively reduce your heating and cooling bills.
- Leverage Curtains to Block the Sun: “Make your house like a cave. Keep the windows covered. I used bedsheets in the west facing room draped over the horizontal blinds and in the bedroom I have two blackout shades. I pretty much just keep the blinds closed from May till September.”
- Use Energy Saving Light Bulbs: Replace old light bulbs with energy-saving LEDs or compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). They use less electricity and last longer.
- Unplug Electronics: Unplug your electronics when you’re not using them. Even when turned off, these devices can still draw power. “We use a power strip at our computer stations and our entertainment center and just flip the switch off when we aren’t using them.”
- Turn Up Your Thermostat: In summer, use air conditioning less and use fans more. If you’re having trouble adjusting to a higher temperature, Redditors recommend trying to raise your thermostat by one degree a week. That way you give yourself a change to acclimate slowly.
- Use Cold Water for Laundry: Most of the energy used by washing machines is to heat the water. By using cold water you can save a significant amount of energy.
- Line Dry Your Clothes: Says another helpful Reddit commenter, “While we have an electric dryer I line dry the majority of our laundry almost year-round.”
- Use Solar Screens: Solar screens block out a lot of light without affecting your view out. “Our first house had them on the western and southern windows and it made a huge difference.”
- Properly Maintain Your HVAC System: Regular maintenance of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system can improve its efficiency and reduce your energy bills.
- Install a Programmable Thermostat: “Consider investing in a smart thermostat if you don’t already have one. They allow you to set high/low times to avoid peak hours.”
- Plant Trees: Shade trees can help cool your house off tremendously. “My big saving grace is the three huge trees that shade 3/4 of my house during the day,” comments another Redditor.
Tucson Energy Audits Can Give You a Custom Roadmap
Conducting an energy audit can help you get a handle on the factors affecting your home’s energy consumption. An energy audit is like a personalized roadmap to help you navigate your electricity bills in Tucson.
During the audit, a trained professional assesses your home, identifying factors that impact your energy consumption and costs. They’ll check insulation, windows, and doors, inspect your heating and cooling systems, and evaluate the efficiency of your appliances.
By pinpointing areas where improvements can be made, like adding insulation or sealing drafts, they provide practical recommendations to enhance your home’s energy efficiency. This not only helps you save on your bills but also reduces your environmental footprint.
Minimize Your Electricity Bill with Solar Energy
While the utility costs in Tucson are generally higher due to the local climate and water scarcity, there is one way to help keep those costs in check: solar panels.
Installing solar panels on your home can drastically reduce your electric bill and help you maintain a more stable utility bill year-round. After all, Tucson, AZ is blessed with ample sunshine throughout the year, so it’s wise to make use of it. As solar panel installation experts, we at Solar Power Tucson help you harness this abundant energy source to offset your higher utility costs, making green living affordable.
Even though the adoption of solar energy brings with it initial installation cost, the long-term savings offer a compelling argument.
Plus, solar energy adoption also has financial incentives. For solar installations, the Federal government provides a tax credit. This credit called the Solar Investment Tax Credit can offset the installation costs significantly. In essence, it’s an effective way to control your living cost in Tucson.
In sum, understanding energy costs and the average utility bill in Tucson, Arizona is a crucial step to better managing your home’s energy consumption.
Bringing in more sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions like solar panels can greatly help in reducing your overall expenses. Solar Power Tucson is committed to helping residents harness the power of the sun. With our high-quality solar panel installations, you can cut down on your utility bills significantly while making a positive impact on the environment.
Count on us to guide you every step of the way in your sustainable energy journey!
