Smart thermostats, advanced tune-ups and even a school pilot program are among cost-cutting measures awaiting Tucson Electric Power customers of all kinds as TEP launches its 2016 Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan after recent Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) approval.

A variety of ways to attain discounts in store for residential and municipal consumers include incentives for schools, homeowners and apartment dwellers. The Energy Efficiency plan — or “EE” programs — have proven effective not just at the consumer level, but also in terms of reduced dependence on fossil fuels, resulting in highly desirable reduced air emissions and water consumption.

Among the offerings are availability extended to schools requiring energy efficiency updates; discounts for Energy-Star appliance purchasers at participating retailers; and discounts for HVAC tune-ups to avoid replacing expensive units in apartments and homes.

The new EE programs are funded by a small usage-based fee on bills, typically less than $2 monthly, called the Demand Side Management (DSM) charge. TEP continues to work toward achieving the goals set by Arizona’s Energy Efficiency Standard, hoping to unite the state’s utilities in total energy savings of 22 percent by 2020.

TEP emphasized that the 2016 Energy Efficiency Implementation Plan will be a triple win, saving customers money, diminishing negative environmental impact, and providing shortcuts for long-term energy needs.