If every homeowner in Tempe, Arizona, made just three small changes this March, the city could save millions of gallons of water before summer even arrives. That’s not an exaggeration. It’s just math. And for a city that stands as the only one in Arizona with a LEED Gold certification for its sustainability efforts, Tempe already knows how to lead.
The question is: Is your home keeping up?
March is one of the best windows to take action. Temperatures are still comfortable, the desert is waking up, and the brutal summer heat has not arrived yet. Whether you own a home in South Tempe, Warner Ranch, or rent near Arizona State University, here are simple, doable sustainability practices you can start right now.
Quick Wins That Cost Nothing
No budget required. These habits can lower your monthly bills immediately:
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Replace old bulbs with LED lighting, which uses up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs
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Wash laundry on cold cycles since machines use 75 to 90% of their energy just to heat water
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Unplug chargers, TVs, and small appliances when not in use (they still draw power at rest)
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Set your thermostat a few degrees higher during peak afternoon hours to cut cooling costs
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Use reusable bags, bottles, and food containers to cut back on single-use plastics
None of these requires a contractor or a weekend project. Just a decision to do things differently.
Save Water Like a Desert Pro
In the Sonoran Desert, water conservation is not optional. Tempe residents can save thousands of gallons per year with a few straightforward changes:
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Install low-flow showerheads and save up to 3,000 gallons per person annually
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Run the dishwasher only on full loads (4 gallons per cycle versus up to 40 for hand washing)
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Fix dripping faucets fast, since a slow leak wastes hundreds of gallons per month
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Turn off the tap while brushing teeth, scrubbing dishes, or rinsing produce
Tempe’s water rebate program offers financial incentives for water-saving upgrades, toilet replacements, and lawn conversions to desert-friendly landscaping. SRP’s partnership with the City of Tempe has already helped conserve over 300,000 gallons through xeriscape conversions across the valley.
If your yard is still full of grass, this March is a good time to rethink it.
Swap Out Harsh Cleaners
Most commercial cleaning products push chemical residue straight into Tempe’s water supply when they wash down the drain. Simpler alternatives work just as well:
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White vinegar and water for everyday surfaces, countertops, and glass
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Baking soda as a gentle scrub for sinks, tubs, and tile grout
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Lemon juice is a natural disinfectant and odor remover
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Castile soap for floors and general multi-surface use
If DIY cleaning is not your preference, Tempe-based eco-friendly services offer professional green options without the chemical load.
Spring Yard Work, Done Right
March is prime planting season in Tempe, Arizona, and your yard can do a lot more than just look good:
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Compost kitchen scraps like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells to feed your soil naturally
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Plant native, drought-tolerant species like desert marigold, palo verde, and lantana
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Water before 6 a.m. or after 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation during the day
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Skip synthetic fertilizers and switch to organic compost alternatives
Tempe’s Growing Together program is actively expanding tree canopy coverage across neighborhoods like Alegre, Victory Acres, and University Heights. Getting involved is as simple as showing up.
Tempe Is Already Moving. Are You?
The Tempe Green Forward Badge Program from the Tempe Chamber of Commerce gives residents, businesses, and schools a real, structured framework for committing to sustainability year-round. The City of Tempe also organizes Zero Waste Days and runs an active curbside recycling and composting program that makes green habits easier to maintain daily.
Arizona Public Service (APS) is targeting 100% carbon-free energy by 2050, with solar and Green Power programs already connecting Tempe homeowners to renewable energy options today.
This March, start with one step: fix that leaky faucet, swap one cleaner, or sign up for a Zero Waste Day. Then add another the following week. Tempe, Arizona, is building a greener, more resilient city, and it starts inside every home. Visit Keep Tempe Beautiful for local resources, volunteer opportunities, and community programs to help you keep going.
Sources: tempetourism.com, extraspace.com, tempe.gov, crystalcleararizona.com, arizonansforcleanenergy.org, tempechamber.org, keeptempebeautiful.org
Header Image Source: Luis Tosta on Unsplash
