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Recent summers have shown that extreme heat is Arizona’s deadliest climate threat, and the nation’s top weather-related killer, according to the World Meteorological Organization. As a home performance contractor, I’ve seen how an outdated AC unit can mean the difference between life and death. Between 2012-22, nearly 1,000 Arizonans died from heat-related causes, with 608 deaths in Maricopa County alone in 2024. Seniors, children, and low-income families are hit hardest, often forced to choose between staying cool and paying the bills.

Having worked in this industry for over two decades, I’ve seen how failing AC systems and inadequate insulation leave families unsafe and uncomfortable. That’s why I was so encouraged to see the full launch of the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) Program from Arizona’s Office of Resiliency.

HEAR, a key part of Governor Hobbs’ Extreme Heat Plan, is a lifeline. Families can now access up to $14,000 in point-of-sale rebates for energy-saving upgrades like high-efficiency heat pumps, insulation, and electrical panel improvements. For low-income households, the program covers 100% of the costs; for moderate-income families, it covers up to 50% of the costs. The Weatherization Assistance Program also helps hundreds of households each year to make energy-saving upgrades, saving families hundreds of dollars on their utility bills.

Every day, my company and other contractors like us are leveraging programs like HEAR to transform lives. For example, this past spring, we helped Tucson homeowner Julia use rebates to invest in a high-efficiency heat pump, along with duct sealing and insulation, resulting in a cooler home, cleaner air, and a utility bill that was 34% lower this June than it was a year earlier. Stories like hers show how these programs make comfort and safety accessible for families who might otherwise go without.

The benefits of HEAR extend well beyond individual homes. Every rebate helps put contractors, electricians, and small businesses to work. As the owner of Advantage Home Performance, I can tell you that we need more skilled workers to meet the growing demand. These projects aren’t just keeping families safe; they’re creating steady, good-paying jobs in every corner of the state.

But this progress is at risk. Recent federal budget cuts, including the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), have reduced critical climate and energy funding in Arizona. At the same time, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) is steering us in the wrong direction. Last month, the ACC voted to begin repealing our state’s Electric Energy Efficiency Standard Rules (EEES Rules), one of Arizona’s most successful and cost-effective clean energy policies. These standards have saved families money, reduced the need for expensive new power plants, and fueled an industry employing over 44,000 Arizonans, most of whom work in small, local businesses. For every $1 invested in efficiency, ratepayers see nearly $4 in benefits.

It makes no sense. On one hand, our state is investing $150 million through HEAR to help families cut energy waste, and utility energy efficiency programs provide critical funding to the state’s weatherization program as well. On the other hand, regulators are dismantling the very standards that made Arizona a leader in efficiency. Rolling back this policy is short-sighted and costly. It risks higher bills, a weaker grid, and lost jobs. Efficiency saves money, strengthens communities, and saves lives; abandoning it would be costly in every way.

These programs demonstrate what’s possible when smart policy, innovation, and local businesses collaborate to prioritize families. But as extreme heat becomes our new reality, we must protect and expand the efficiency policies that have long served Arizona well. A resilient Arizona means safe, affordable homes, good local jobs, and a stronger, more reliable grid, proof that efficiency isn’t just good policy, it’s our path forward.

Summer may be behind us, but extreme heat is here to stay, and preparation starts now. Families, contractors, and local leaders all play a part in keeping Arizona cool and resilient. Learn how you can protect your family, save money, and strengthen your community at .