Buying in Paradise Valley Village and wondering if your future address is APS or SRP? You are not alone. Utility boundaries here do not follow neat neighborhood lines, and the plan you choose can change your comfort and your summer bills. In this guide, you will learn how to confirm which utility serves a specific property, how to think about APS vs SRP rate options, and simple steps to match your lifestyle to the right plan. Let’s dive in.
Why your utility matters in Paradise Valley Village
Paradise Valley Village includes areas served by both Arizona Public Service (APS) and Salt River Project (SRP). Boundaries are historical and can split subdivisions or even single streets. That is why a neighbor across the way might have a different utility.
Different utilities can mean different rate options, on-peak timing, thermostat programs, and solar rules. Those differences affect monthly bills, EV charging decisions, and the value of features like rooftop solar and variable-speed pool pumps. Always verify the utility for the specific address before you compare plans or assume costs.
Find out if your address is APS or SRP
Use these steps to confirm the utility for any Paradise Valley Village property:
- Check the electric meter and meter base on site. Utility tags on the meter identify APS or SRP.
- Ask the seller or listing agent for the utility name and the last 12 months of electric bills.
- Use the utility address tools:
- Review the APS website for service area information and residential rate pages at the main site for APS service area and rates.
- Review the SRP website for service area details and residential plans at SRP service area and plans.
- Look up the parcel using local GIS tools that sometimes note utility franchise areas:
- Maricopa County Assessor and parcel tools.
- City of Phoenix planning and GIS layers.
- Contact the utility directly by phone or online with the property address.
- For block-level research, review maps or filings with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
APS vs SRP: rate plans and peak patterns
Both APS and SRP offer a mix of residential plans that generally fall into these categories:
- Standard flat or tiered rates for predictable pricing.
- Time-of-Use (TOU) plans with higher on-peak and lower off-peak prices.
- Demand or hybrid plans that include a demand component in certain cases.
- Special options for EV charging, and in some cases controlled-load schedules for equipment like water heaters or pool pumps.
In Phoenix, system peaks often happen in late afternoon into evening during summer when air conditioning load is highest. That is why TOU on-peak windows typically land in those hours. If you can avoid heavy usage during on-peak periods, TOU can help. If you need cooling most during those hours, a flat or tiered plan may be simpler and sometimes less costly.
Thermostat and AC programs
Both utilities run programs that adjust or briefly cycle your AC during peak events in exchange for bill credits or discounts. Common features include:
- Voluntary enrollment and advance notice of events.
- A qualifying smart thermostat or a utility-installed device.
- Events that last a few hours on peak days with the ability to opt out.
For current eligibility, event limits, and credit details, review program pages on APS thermostat and conservation programs and SRP thermostat and demand-response programs.
Solar, storage, and interconnection
Net metering and export compensation vary between utilities and have changed in recent years. Those rules shape solar payback and whether batteries make sense for TOU arbitrage or backup. Before you rely on solar savings in your projections, check the current tariffs and interconnection rules at the Arizona Corporation Commission, and review incentive summaries at DSIRE’s Arizona portal.
Match your lifestyle to the right plan
Use these common Paradise Valley routines to think through which plan and habits could work for you.
Scenario A: Away during the day, home in the evening
If you leave for a standard workday and return after peak hours, you are a good candidate for a TOU plan.
- Run laundry and dishwashers during off-peak times.
- Pre-cool in the morning with a smart thermostat so your AC coasts during on-peak.
- Enroll in a utility thermostat program if brief curtailment fits your comfort.
- If you have an EV, schedule charging overnight or on weekends when off-peak applies.
Scenario B: Work from home with daytime cooling needs
If you are home when it is hottest, TOU on-peak charges can add up.
- Consider a flat or tiered plan if on-peak hours align with your highest cooling needs.
- If you choose TOU, pre-cool early and raise setpoints slightly during on-peak while using ceiling fans.
- Join demand-response programs only if event hours fit your comfort level.
Scenario C: Pool and landscaping loads are large
Many Paradise Valley homes run pool pumps and irrigation systems for long hours.
- Put the pool pump on a timer and run it off-peak, often overnight.
- Ask the utility about controlled-load options or efficiency incentives.
- Use a variable-speed pump and dial in the lowest flow that maintains water quality.
Scenario D: EV owner or planning for one
EV charging can be your biggest flexible load.
- Look for EV-specific rates from APS or SRP that lower overnight costs.
- Use a smart charger to automatically schedule off-peak charging.
- If you have solar, align charging with daytime production when it makes sense.
Thermostat and pre-cool tactics
Pre-cooling works well in our climate. Lower your thermostat a bit before on-peak starts, then let the setpoint float higher during on-peak while running ceiling fans. Your home’s thermal mass, along with good attic insulation and sealed ducts, helps maintain comfort with less runtime. Pair these habits with utility event notifications in your thermostat app.
Low-cost home improvements that always help
- Improve attic insulation and seal duct leaks.
- Add reflective roofing or coatings where appropriate.
- Use shade screens or awnings on sun-exposed windows.
- Replace older HVAC with a high-efficiency system when it is time; control it with a smart thermostat.
Your next steps and local tools
Use this quick checklist to compare options with confidence:
- Confirm the electric utility for the exact address using the meter tag, seller disclosure, or utility lookups at APS and SRP.
- Request the last 12 months of electric bills.
- Note the current rate schedule or tariff code on the bill.
- Identify solar, battery systems, EV charging circuits, and pool pumps.
- Note the thermostat brand and whether it is a smart model.
To analyze plans and usage:
- Run plan comparisons using bill calculators on each utility site. Start at the main pages for APS residential rates and SRP residential plans.
- Review hourly usage history in your smart thermostat app.
- Consider whole-home monitors to understand load timing.
- For official tariffs and filings, consult the Arizona Corporation Commission.
- For incentives and program summaries, check DSIRE.
- For parcel-level research, use Maricopa County tools and City of Phoenix planning resources.
Work with a neighborly guide
Choosing between APS and SRP plans is easier when you match the plan to your daily routine, your AC habits, and any pool or EV loads. If you want a quick read on a specific property in Paradise Valley Village, I can help you gather bills, confirm the utility, and point you to the right tools so you compare apples to apples. Ready to talk strategy or get pricing insights before you list or write an offer? Request a Free Home Valuation and a local plan review with Unknown Company.
FAQs
How to tell if a Paradise Valley home is APS or SRP
- Check the meter tag or a recent bill, use the address lookup on APS or SRP websites, review local parcel maps, or contact the utility directly.
Will a Time-of-Use plan always save money in Phoenix?
- Not always. TOU helps if you can avoid on-peak hours. If most of your usage happens on-peak, your costs can rise. Compare a full year of bills under each plan.
Do thermostat and utility AC programs reduce comfort?
- Programs are voluntary and designed to be short and predictable. You get advance notice and can usually opt out. A smart thermostat lets you recover comfort quickly.
Does the utility still matter if the home already has solar?
- Yes. Export credit and interconnection rules vary by utility and can change payback and whether a battery is worth it. Check current tariffs before you decide.
What energy info should sellers include for buyers?
- Provide the utility name, rate or tariff identifier, 12 months of electric bills, any solar or battery interconnection paperwork, and thermostat brand and program enrollment.
