If the answer is Yes, you are not alone. APS with the new billing plans changed the billing style. They went to a “Demand Billing” where the highest usage hour during the on peak hours is charged at a surcharge rate of up to $17 per kilowatt hour. Yup, you heard me correctly. During the hours from 3-8pm, right when you come home, turn your AC cooler, cook your family dinner, turn on all the lights and TV, is when the biggest charge comes.
There are load regulators (quite pricey) that you can use to make sure you don’t turn on multiple devices, or both AC’s at the same time… Knowing this is how you are being charged may have you either change your plan, or self regulate your use.