Smart Thermostats & Cool Rewards in Surprise

Is your AC working overtime every summer in Surprise? When temps soar past 100°F, every degree matters for comfort and your bill. Smart thermostats can help you manage both, and APS’s Cool Rewards program can even put bill credits back in your pocket. In this guide, you’ll learn how Cool Rewards works in Surprise, which thermostats qualify, what credits to expect, and how to enroll without sacrificing comfort. Let’s dive in.

Why smart thermostats matter in Surprise

Surprise summers are intense, with July and August highs often topping 100°F. That makes cooling a major part of most electric bills. Programs like APS Cool Rewards are designed for these peak periods, helping reduce strain on the grid while keeping your home comfortable.

If you want a quick local reality check, review the city’s summer averages on this weather snapshot for Surprise. The heat is real, which is why a smart thermostat and the right settings can be a smart move.

• See average summer highs: Surprise weather overview
• Learn the program basics: APS Cool Rewards program

What is APS Cool Rewards

Cool Rewards is a demand-response program for APS customers. During very hot, high-demand hours, APS coordinates with your smart thermostat to raise your setpoint a few degrees for a short time. You help stabilize the grid and earn bill credits for participating.

• Season window: June 1 to September 30.
• Event details: Typically 2 to 3 hours, often late afternoon or early evening, up to about 20 events per season.
• Notifications: You receive advance notice through APS and your thermostat app.
• Control: You keep control. You can adjust your thermostat or opt out of any event, and you can unenroll at any time.

Learn more: APS Cool Rewards program overview

Eligibility and incentives

To join, you must be an APS customer with central air conditioning and an eligible, internet-connected smart thermostat installed at your APS service address. Enrollment is per device and limited to a set number of thermostats per home.

APS commonly offers a one-time enrollment credit per qualifying thermostat and an annual participation credit each summer season. APS often lists examples such as $50 for enrollment and $35 for annual participation, applied as bill credits per device and subject to program terms and timing. Exact amounts and timing are posted on APS program pages and the enrollment portal.

• Current rules and credits: APS Cool Rewards details
• Discounts on devices: APS Smart Thermostat Rebate and Marketplace

Compatible thermostats

APS partners with several thermostat brands, including examples like Google Nest, ecobee, Honeywell Home, Sensi, Lux, Amazon, and ADC or Vivint. Each brand may handle notifications and pre-cooling a bit differently. APS notes that some manufacturers pre-cool your home before an event, while others, such as ecobee, may not. Check the APS manufacturer list and your device app for the exact behavior and setup steps.

• Brand list and device rules: APS Cool Rewards partners

Comfort tips during events

You can stay comfortable and still get the credits with a few simple tweaks.

• Use pre-cooling. If your thermostat offers it, pre-cool before on-peak hours so the home coasts comfortably during an event.
• Know your features. On demand or time-of-use plans, features like geofencing or smart recovery can work against your bill by making the system run hard during on-peak hours. Review your app settings and disable features that push cooling into on-peak times.
• Keep control handy. If an event conflicts with your plans, adjust the setpoint or opt out right in the app.

Learn more on thermostat behavior and rate-plan tips: APS smart thermostat guidance

How to enroll

You can enroll through APS or through your thermostat’s partner page. Have your APS account info ready and make sure your thermostat is online.

• Primary program hub: APS Cool Rewards enrollment
• Manufacturer portal option: Thermostat Rewards for APS customers

Enrollment tips:

1. Confirm you are an APS customer at the service address and that your thermostat controls central AC.
2. Connect the thermostat to stable Wi‑Fi and enable app notifications so you get event alerts.
3. Review features like geofencing and smart recovery if you are on time-of-use or demand plans. Adjust settings to avoid high on-peak usage.
4. After enrolling, watch your bill for the one-time enrollment credit and the end-of-season participation credit per APS timing.

Helpful references: APS Cool Rewards program page and APS Smart Thermostat Rebate and Marketplace

Buying or selling a home in Surprise

Smart thermostats are now common features in Surprise homes. If you are moving, a little prep ensures the device and any program benefits transfer cleanly.

• If you are the seller and you plan to take the thermostat, unenroll the device from Cool Rewards, remove it properly, and reinstall a standard thermostat or a replacement. If you are leaving it, factory reset or unregister the device so the buyer can take control. Practical how-tos on moving smart devices are outlined in this guide to transferring smart-home tech.
• If you are the buyer and the thermostat stays, enroll it under your APS account to receive any Cool Rewards benefits. If it is still registered to the prior owner, request a reset or perform one before setup.

Move and transfer guidance: APS Cool Rewards moving and unenroll info and this helpful overview on transferring smart-home devices when you move

Quick homeowner checklist

• Verify APS service, central AC, and eligible thermostat model.
• Connect to Wi‑Fi and enable app notifications.
• Enroll through the APS program page or your thermostat’s partner portal.
• Review rate-plan settings, and disable geofencing if it causes on-peak cooling.
• Try pre-cooling on hot days for comfort during events.
• If moving, unregister devices or factory reset, then re-enroll at the new address.

Ready to pair energy-smart tech with your next move in Surprise? Reach out to Gabriel Santellano for local guidance on homes, features like smart thermostats, and a smooth path to closing.

FAQs

How does APS Cool Rewards work during Surprise heat waves?

• During June through September, APS may run short events, typically 2 to 3 hours, that nudge your setpoint up a few degrees with advance notice; you can adjust the thermostat or opt out at any time. See details on the APS Cool Rewards page.

What credits can I earn with APS Cool Rewards?

• APS commonly lists a one-time enrollment credit and an annual participation credit per eligible thermostat, with examples such as $50 enrollment and $35 annual; amounts and timing are posted on the APS program page.

Who is eligible for Cool Rewards in Surprise?

• You must be an APS customer with central AC and an eligible, internet-connected smart thermostat installed at your APS service address; enrollment is per device and limited per home. Review eligibility on the APS overview.

Can I participate if I have rooftop solar or a time-of-use plan?

• Yes, APS says customers with rooftop solar may join, and smart thermostats can help on TOU plans; review features like geofencing and smart recovery so they do not push cooling into on-peak hours. See guidance on the APS thermostat rebate page.

How do I enroll my thermostat in Cool Rewards?

• Start on the APS Cool Rewards enrollment page or use the Thermostat Rewards partner portal and follow your device’s in-app instructions; confirm Wi‑Fi, notifications, and account details.

What happens if I move and leave the thermostat behind?

• Unregister or factory reset the device so the buyer can take control, and the new owner should enroll it under their APS account; see steps on the APS program page and this guide to transferring smart-home devices.