Saving money at home can be done in a number of ways. We’ve gathered five tips to help you keep more money in your wallet while saving precious resources like water and energy.
Tip 1: Save money and energy by picking the right price plan.
Are you on the right price plan? SRP’s price plans are designed to fit your lifestyle and help you save money. Here are the price plans we currently offer:
SRP Time-of-Use Price Plan™ (TOU)
The TOU price plan could be right if you can use less energy from 2–8 p.m. on weekdays, May through October, and can be flexible about when you use major home appliances.
SRP EZ-3 Price Plan™
This price plan could work for you if you can limit your energy use from 3–6 p.m. or 4–7 p.m. on weekdays and you can be flexible about when you use major home appliances. This is also a great option if you have a pool and can adjust your pool pump to run during off-peak hours.
SRP M-Power®
This prepaid plan could be a great solution if you prefer to pay as you go instead of receiving a monthly bill. SRP M-Power allows you to closely monitor how much electricity you use and makes it easy to share costs with other household members.
Basic Price Plan
This price plan works for households where someone is often home during the day or if you’re a part-time resident. This plan is a good fit if you don’t use major appliances on a daily basis.
Solar Price Plans
These plans are for customers who produce some of their own electricity with rooftop solar or other technology. The plans allow customers to be flexible about when they use major home appliances.
SRP is on its way to adding 2,025 MW of utility-scale solar to its mix of resources by 2025.
Tip 2: Electric vehicles (EVs) can help you save on car maintenance while helping the environment.
To help drive Arizona toward a more sustainable future, SRP offers special EV programs and price plans for its customers. You also have the opportunity to join other EV enthusiasts in SRP’s EV Community.
Reasons to shift to an electric vehicle
Here are four reasons we think you should consider switching to an EV:
1. Save money
Enjoy lower registration fees and no oil changes and, best of all, stop burning money on gas.
2. Less maintenance
Fewer moving parts mean fewer breakdowns and repairs.
3. Instant torque
Only EV drivers know the joy of rapid, responsive acceleration made possible by an electric motor. Try it once and you’ll be hooked.
4. Like a breath of fresh air
EVs are virtually noiseless and emit zero smog or direct emissions. Experience peace and quiet like never before.
Discover more reasons to switch to an EV.
Tip 3: SRP Marketplace™ can help you save money and energy.
When it comes to conserving energy and water, small changes can make a big difference. SRP Marketplace is an online store that helps you do just that.
SRP Marketplace offers instant rebates on products like:
- LED lightbulbs
- Smart thermostats
- Low-flow showerheads
Bonus tip: When purchasing a new appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR® logo to make your home as efficient as possible.
If we each do a little, we can conserve a lot. Visit SRP Marketplace today to start saving money and energy.
Tip 4: Look out for toilet leaks.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a small toilet leak can waste up to 10,000 gallons of water a year. That’s enough to fill a backyard swimming pool!
How to check for a toilet leak:
- Lift the lid off the toilet tank. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank.
- Wait 15 minutes. (Don’t use the toilet.)
- If the food coloring shows up in the toilet bowl, there’s a leak.
What to do if you have a toilet leak:
- Make sure water isn’t spilling into the overflow tube. If it is, you may need to adjust the float.
- Check that the lift chain isn’t tangled or caught on anything.
- Look to see that the flapper is closing fully and in good shape. Flappers can warp and sometimes need to be replaced.
If it turns out you need to replace your toilet, look for the WaterSense label. These products are certified to save water and perform well.
Tip 5: Save money by xeriscaping.
You might be wondering what xeriscaping is. Popular in arid regions like Phoenix, it’s a style of landscaping that requires little to no irrigation or other maintenance. This benefits you by saving money, time and precious water.
Water-wise landscaping or xeriscaping
Here are seven rules for creating a yard that looks great and uses less water:
1. Plan smart
Design your space with sunny areas, shady spots and watering zones in mind.
2. Choose water-wise plants
Go for a mix of shapes, sizes and colors that bloom at different times of the year.
3. Limit your lawn
Replace grassy areas that you don’t use with low-water-use groundcover, shrubs or shade trees. Small turf areas for children and pets can be part of a successful xeriscape with proper planning and upkeep.
4. Prepare your soil
Healthy plants start with healthy soil. Before you plant, loosen the soil to encourage root growth. Make sure the soil drains well too.
5. Water efficiently
Design your irrigation or sprinkler system to match the needs of your plants. Don’t forget to adjust your watering schedule each season.
6. Add mulch
Mulch covers the soil, helping to prevent water loss and weeds.
7. Maintain your yard
Keep your yard growing strong with proper pruning techniques and be sure to keep your irrigation system in good shape.
In conclusion, saving money, energy and water at home can be done in a lot of ways. We’re stronger together when we take steps today to preserve our resources for tomorrow.