Moving to Phoenix from out of state: summer heat, SRP or APS, and your electric bill
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If you are moving to Phoenix from another state, the first summer is the part of the move people most often underestimate. Summer 2026 was the second hottest on record for Phoenix, according to National Weather Service data reported by KJZZ, and the electric bill that comes with it depends on two things most newcomers never had to think about before: which utility serves the house, and which price plan you pick.
What the data says
- Summer 2026 heat: second hottest summer on record for Phoenix and the hottest on record statewide, with highs reaching 117 degrees at Sky Harbor (KJZZ, using National Weather Service data, September 24, 2026)
- Two providers: electric service in Maricopa County comes from SRP or APS depending on location (Maricopa County, viewed October 28, 2026)
- SRP seasons: winter is November through April, summer is May, June, September, and October, and summer peak is July and August (SRP price plans page, viewed October 28, 2026)
- SRP Time-of-Use, summer peak: 25.85 cents per kWh on-peak versus 9.06 cents off-peak, with on-peak from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (SRP, viewed October 28, 2026)
- SRP EZ-3, summer peak: 36.20 cents per kWh on-peak versus 10.29 cents off-peak, with three peak hours on weekdays (SRP, viewed October 28, 2026)
- APS rate case: APS has requested an overall 14% increase, with the average household estimated at around $240 more a year (Arizona Capitol Times, May 19, 2026); a Commission vote is due by December 31, 2026, with new rates likely in early 2027 (Arizona Corporation Commission, July 10, 2026)
What it means for a household moving here
In most of the country, where you live decides your utility and the bill is mostly about how much you use. In Phoenix, when you use power matters almost as much as how much. On SRP's EZ-3 plan, a kilowatt hour used during the summer peak window costs about 3.5 times what it costs off-peak. On SRP's standard Time-of-Use plan the gap is about 2.9 times. Those ratios were calculated by Arizona Luxury Partners from SRP's published prices.
That is why two similar houses on the same street can have very different summer bills. A household that pre-cools the home before the peak window, runs the dishwasher and laundry at night, and schedules pool pumps off-peak can pay much less than one that runs everything in the late afternoon, which is exactly when the heat is worst.
The provider question matters too. Maricopa County notes that SRP or APS serves a home depending on its location. You do not get to pick. SRP and APS have different plans, different seasons, and different rate processes, so a bill comparison from a friend across town may not apply to the house you are buying.
Why the APS case is worth watching
APS's request for an overall 14% increase is still pending. The Arizona Corporation Commission said a recommended opinion is expected by late November 2026 and a vote must happen by December 31, 2026, with any new rates likely in early 2027. If the home you are considering is served by APS, treat the seller's past bills as a floor rather than a forecast until that decision is final. Separately, the Commission approved a one-time bill credit averaging about $15 for APS residential customers on November 2026 bills (AZ Free News, October 13, 2026), so a November bill may look lower than usual.
How to plan for it before you buy
- Confirm the utility early. Ask the listing agent which provider serves the address, then confirm with SRP or APS directly. It affects which plans you can choose and how you read the seller's bills.
- Ask for twelve months of electric bills. July and August bills tell you the most. Remember the seller's habits, household size, and plan may differ from yours.
- Look closely at the air conditioning. Ask for the age of each unit and its service records. Have your inspector check the HVAC system, attic insulation, ductwork, roof, and windows.
- Find out whether solar panels are owned or leased. A lease or financing agreement may need to transfer to you, and the terms affect what you actually save. Read the agreement before you remove contingencies.
- Plan your first summer. If you close in spring, compare plans before July. Ask the utility which plan fits a household like yours.
- Avoid this mistake: budgeting from a spring or winter bill. A March bill can look modest. July and August are the months that tell you what owning the home will cost.
The honest caveats
Utility prices change, and SRP's own page notes a separate temporary price schedule for May through October 2026, so check the current rate book before you rely on any number here. The SRP prices above are per kWh energy charges only and do not include monthly service charges, taxes, or other fees. The APS figures are a request, not an approved rate. Heat varies year to year, and summer 2026 was unusually hot. Your bill will also depend on the home's size, orientation, shade, insulation, pool, and how many people live there. For decisions about plans or solar agreements, talk with the utility and, where needed, an attorney or tax professional.
Frequently asked questions
Which electric company will serve my Phoenix home?
It depends on the address. Maricopa County says electric service in the county comes from either Salt River Project (SRP) or Arizona Public Service (APS) depending on location, and both can confirm whether they serve a specific address. Ask the listing agent or seller which provider serves the home, then confirm it with the utility before you close.
How hot does Phoenix get in the summer?
Very hot, and for a long stretch. KJZZ, using National Weather Service data, reported on September 24, 2026 that summer 2026 was the second hottest on record for Phoenix and the hottest on record statewide, with highs reaching 117 degrees at Sky Harbor. Expect triple digit heat to shape when you run errands, exercise, and use the most electricity.
When are SRP's peak hours in the summer?
On SRP's Time-of-Use plan, the summer and summer peak on-peak window is 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to SRP's plan page viewed October 28, 2026. SRP's EZ-3 plan uses three peak hours on weekdays. Check SRP's current price plan pages for the exact hours on the plan you choose, since peak hours vary by plan and season.
Is APS raising rates in 2026?
APS has asked the Arizona Corporation Commission for an overall 14% rate increase, and that case is still pending. The Commission said on July 10, 2026 that a recommended opinion is expected by late November 2026, a vote must happen by December 31, 2026, and any new rates would likely take effect in early 2027. Until the vote, the final number is not known.
What should I check in a Phoenix home before I buy, given the heat?
Ask for the age and service history of the air conditioning system, recent electric bills from the seller, and whether any solar panels are owned or leased. Have your home inspector look closely at the HVAC system, attic insulation, roof, and windows. If the home has a pool, ask what the pool equipment costs to run.
The bottom line
Moving to Phoenix means learning a new rhythm for summer, and the electric bill is where it shows up first. Confirm whether SRP or APS serves the home, read a full year of the seller's bills, look hard at the cooling system and any solar agreement, and choose a price plan that matches how your household actually lives. Those few steps make the first July a lot less surprising.
Read more: Phoenix property taxes explained: LPV, the 5% cap, and the November 2 deadline · Moving to Cave Creek from out of state: water supply, town services, and what to check
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Sources
- KJZZ, "Here's how hot it was in Phoenix every day this summer," National Weather Service data, June 1 to August 31, 2026, published September 24, 2026. Link
- Maricopa County, Electrical, Sewer and Water Service page, viewed October 28, 2026. Link
- SRP, Compare residential price plans, viewed October 28, 2026. Link
- SRP, Time-of-Use Price Plan, viewed October 28, 2026. Link
- Arizona Capitol Times, APS rate case kicks off with hours of protest over 14% rate increase, May 19, 2026. Link
- Arizona Corporation Commission, What's Next in the APS Rate Case, July 10, 2026. Link
- AZ Free News, Arizona Corporation Commission approves $33.6 million in bill credits for APS customers, October 13, 2026. Link
- Peak to off-peak price ratios calculated by Arizona Luxury Partners: SRP EZ-3 summer peak 36.20 / 10.29 = 3.5; SRP Time-of-Use summer peak 25.85 / 9.06 = 2.9.
All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. This article is for general information only and is not financial, lending, legal, or tax advice. Arizona Luxury Partners | Real Estate Group at RE/MAX Fine Properties, 21020 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Brokerage License LC629808000. Equal Housing Opportunity.