What’s The Difference Between APS and SRP?

APS and SRP are the two major energy providers in Arizona.  Even though they both provide the same service, APS and SRP have some major differences that play a role in deciding where some customers choose to live.  APS has a larger service area and is the larger energy provider, covering most of the Phoenix area.  SRP’s service area is more in the east valley with some exceptions in Glendale, Laveen, Ahwatukee and south Scottsdale homes also have SRP.

The energy audit steps will be the same for an APS customer as a SRP customer, we still conduct a blower door test to measure air leakage and duct leakage, use a thermal camera to scan the home for insulation defects, conduct a thorough attic insulation and check the heating and cooling system… but a SRP energy audit differs from an APS energy audit in the way we approach energy savings.  APS and SRP have important differences that have implications in how much energy our customers save and what temperature strategies we recommend. 

Here are some of the major differences between APS and SRP.

1. APS has peak hours between 3-8 pm.  SRP’s peak hours are 2-8 pm.  Both utilities recently implemented these major changes in their peak hours.  APS changed their peak hours along with a major change in their rate plans with a 33% on average increase.  SRP changed only their peak hours and kept their rate plans the same.  This is part of a national change all utilities are making to more demand-based rate plans, penalizing users for using energy when they need it the most.
2. APS peak hours penalize homeowners much greater than SRP for using large amounts of energy by charging a $15 per day demand charge on top of a peak hour rate for almost all of their rate plans.  SRP has a demand charge but only for solar customers and the E-27 pilot rate plan.  I wouldn’t be surprised if SRP changes all their rate plans to a demand based charge in the near future.
3. APS essentially offers only a duct sealing rebate.  SRP offers many other rebates including insulation, shade screens, high efficiency air conditioning systems, and pool pumps.  APS technically has an air sealing, HVAC and insulation rebate but they have made these rebates difficult to achieve.
4. APS implemented significantly higher energy rates for all customers, 33% on average, whereas in the past, APS increased their energy rates only 6% year to year.  SRP has not yet implemented a huge jump in energy their energy rates but it’s likely coming.
5. APS is owned by Pinnacle West Corporation, a publicly traded, for-profit company.  SRP is a non-profit utility company.  Both companies are essentially monopolies but APS is much more profit driven and goes to extremes to ensure it’s profits.  APS pours dark money to ensure their candidates are elected to the Arizona Corporation Commission, a group that is supposed to look out for the Arizona consumer but instead votes for APS’s interest.  APS also sponsors many events for our State Governments.  APS does provide private funding for weatherization programs to help low income families pay for efficiency upgrades to their home.  SRP is known for better customer service and communication but they still tend to follow APS rate increases and time of use plans.

In general APS has higher energy rates than SRP, less efficiency rebates and less consumer friendly.