Utility costs are a major budget factor for many homeowners. Unfortunately, this cost is mostly out of a homeowner’s control. Sure, residents can turn off lights, use less air conditioning and pile on layers of clothing and blankets so they can use less heat, but these efforts can only go so far. Ultimately, they can’t control the cost of the energy they use from utility companies unless they choose alternative energy options in Scottsdale, AZ.
The recent APS rate hikes are a prime example of this issue. This utility company is in the heat over recent rate hike misunderstandings. Here’s the scoop.
The Hike
APS voted in 2017 to raise its rates. Consumers were told that the increase would result in an average increase of $6 a month. This represents an increase of roughly 4.5 percent. They would also change the rate plans, the on-peak hours, monthly service fees and other portions of the billing.
After the changes were implemented, consumers reported that their bills rose significantly more than this promised $6 per month.
The Result
One element of the billing that changed was the demand rate, which adds further cost to the monthly service. The demand is based on the hour in the month that a customer uses the most energy from the utility grid. The larger this demand, the higher the demand fee.
While APS had expected more than a third of its customers to experience a rate decrease or a minimal increase of less than 1.5 percent, nearly one third were projected to experience an increase of nearly 11 percent instead.
APS representatives claim that many of their customers have not chosen the most economical rate plan since the changes were enacted. However, customers are limited as to the number of times they can change their plan, and many have probably chosen the plans they have in order to avoid higher fees.
The Backlash
Furious about the rate hikes, a local activist, Stacey Champion, launched a petition to force APS to reconsider their changes. Champion secured thousands of signatures on her petition and recruited a consultant to calculate customer bills and determine the true increase based on data supplied by APS.
The analyst concluded that the rate increase was higher than the promised amount. However, APS officials argued that this analysis did not take all factors into account and was inaccurate. The judge overseeing the case concluded that APS implemented the rate hike appropriately.
Still, consumers aren’t happy with the situation. As utility prices increase and options decrease, property owners may want to consider alternative energy options in Scottsdale, AZ. Solar panels are a feasible choice that could cut out the utility company and give consumers more control over their energy savings.
The Solution
You can take the power back from utility companies! If your utility bill is breaking your budget, consider a sustainable solution. Solar panels provide an effective alternative energy option in Scottsdale, AZ. To find out more about what this solution can offer for you and your energy costs, contact the experts at Aneva Solar. We can beat competitive solar quotes by as much as 20 percent, and our components include 20-plus year warranties. Reach out to us today to get started.