Phoenix, AZ  -  

It seems simple. It's getting hot outside, and most of us will eventually crank up the air conditioner. As long as it's running, we give little thought to that cooling/heating system. But what customers don't see could unintentionally cost them hundreds of dollars a year. 

In Arizona's desert climate, about 50 percent of customers' annual energy bills are typically spent on running their cooling and heating systems, which use duct work to move conditioned air throughout your home. This duct work is typically installed in attics or building cavities homeowners rarely see, let alone test. Now, testing and repair of duct work will be a little easier under the new, APS Duct Test and Repair Rebate Program, which offers customers up to $250 in rebates and also can save them more than $200 in annual energy costs.

Specifically, the rebates apply to residential customers who have a properly trained and licensed contractor test and repair air leaks in their home's heating/cooling duct system.

"Problems arise from air conditioning systems that have been neglected," said Jim Holbrook, APS AC Rebate Program manager. "They could have been poorly sealed when installed, fittings may have come loose, or duct-runs may have become disconnected. All of these can lead to lost air - air that you pay to heat or cool your home."

By having a trained, licensed contractor test the duct system and repair leaks, customers can use energy more efficiently, save money each month and make their homes more comfortable. Using energy more efficiently also reduces greenhouse gases and helps preserve our environment. The results of a recent APS study on duct leakage found:

• As much as one-third of a heating/cooling system's airflow could be leaking through the ducts, causing a loss of comfort and cooling capacity.
• The impact is most severe in ducts installed in attics where temperatures can exceed 140 degrees in the summer.
• On average, almost 15 percent of cooling energy is wasted due to duct leakage.
• While there will always be some duct leakage, homes with properly sealed ducts can often have leakage reduced to 3 to 5 percent, thereby saving energy - and money!

To find out more about the duct test and repair rebate, customers should go to aps.com or call the APS Energy Answer Line at (602) 371-3636 in Metro Phoenix ((888) 890-9730 outside Phoenix). The APS AC Rebate Program is paid for by APS customers and approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
 
APS, Arizona's largest and longest-serving electric utility, serves about 1.1 million customers in 11 of the state's 15 counties. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (NYSE: PNW).

Maria Arellano
(602) 250-3155 - ofc
(602) 402-3530 - cell

Jenna Henry
(602) 250-4403 - ofc
(602) 689-0289 - cell