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Dad’s Energy-Saving Clichés
This Father’s Day, Arizona Public Service (APS) is celebrating the infinite wisdom of dads, especially the energy-saving advice families have heard for generations. From “turn off the lights” to “close the door, we’re not cooling the whole neighborhood,” those classic dad clichés may have sparked a few laughs over the years, but it turns out dad may have been right all along.
With summer temperatures rising and air conditioners working harder, APS is sharing simple “Dad was right” energy tips that can help families stay comfortable, reduce wasted energy and better manage summer bills.
Here are a few “Dad was right” energy tips that we should all high-five dad for:
“Close the door! We’re not cooling the whole neighborhood.”
Dad had a point. Keeping exterior doors, windows and blinds closed helps keep cooled air inside and hot air out. Even small habits, like closing the garage door quickly or keeping sunny windows covered during peak heat, can help reduce strain on the A/C.
“Turn off the lights when you leave the room.”
It sounds simple because it is. Turning off lights, ceiling fans and electronics when they’re not needed helps conserve energy. Bonus dad move: switch to LED bulbs, which use less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
“Don’t touch the thermostat.”
Dad’s thermostat rules may have seemed dramatic, but frequent temperature changes can make the A/C work harder. By pre-cooling, or setting your thermostat higher when no one is home, can help reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort when you return. For those using a smart thermostat, you can easily manage when and how your home uses energy without constantly adjusting it yourself. Smart thermostats can also help earn bill credits through APS Cool Rewards. During conservation hours, your thermostat is adjusted a few degrees, keeping your home comfortable while helping the grid meet everyone’s needs. For APS customers on a time-of-use plan, pre-cooling can help lower summer bills by using the A/C more during off-peak hours, when energy costs less, and less during on-peak hours. As an example, customers on Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays and Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge plans can manage their costs and potentially save by using less energy between 4 and 7 p.m. on weekdays. Watch this video for more details. Customers can visit aps.com/plans to compare plans and learn more.
“Use the microwave, I’m not heating up the whole kitchen.”
Another underrated dad win. Ovens can add extra heat to the home, making the A/C work harder. Using the microwave, air fryer, slow cooker or outdoor grill can help keep the kitchen cooler during hot summer days.
“Shut the fridge, you’re letting all the cold air out.”
Dad wasn’t just being impatient. Standing with the refrigerator door open lets cold air escape and makes the appliance work harder to cool back down. Knowing what you want before opening the fridge is a small habit that can help reduce wasted energy.
Bottom line, Arizona summer is here, energy usage is about to rise, and these familiar dad sayings are actually practical energy-saving behaviors. We hope these tips will help families adopt good cost saving habits, but more importantly, we hope they inspire everyone to go let their dad know what an energy-saving hero he’s been all along.
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