Do you have central air conditioning? If your answer is yes and you are a Provo resident then Provo City Power would like to help you lower your electric bill and energy consumption by offering you a free shade tree! Provo Power gives away trees once a year to shade homes and reduce energy consumption for their Trees for Energy Conservation Program.
**Please note that the reason this is offered only to customers that have Central Air Conditioning is because the number one cause of a spike (peak) of electricity on the electrical grid is directly related to the demand from central air conditioning use. The offer is to help conserve energy overall. When homes are shaded it reduces the excessive need of using peaking (expensive) power. Customers who have swamp coolers or other means of cooling typically don’t have as high of a demand on the electrical grid during the peak times.**
If you have questions regarding this program or eligibility, you can the Provo Power office at 801-852-6852.
How to get your FREE tree!
Have central air conditioning in your home.**
To sign up for your free tree, visit switchitprovo.com and submit the online form located under Trees for Conservation. Once determined that you are eligible, a voucher for your free tree and instructions will be emailed to you. There is a limited supply and Trees will be given out on a first come first serve basis to customers that qualify. All forms must be submitted no later than Wednesday, August 21st – no vouchers will be processed after that date.
Be ready to pick up your free tree on August 29, 2019 at the Provo Power Campus located at 251 W 800 N between the hours of 12:00pm – 6:00pm. Provo City Power Representatives will be available that day to help you and answer any questions you may have. Tree species selection is on a first come-first serve basis.
Be sure to follow Provo Power on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProvoPower) for more information. A list of trees that will be available that day will be posted on Facebook about 1 week before the event. You can also find more information about various tree species on the Provo City Forestry Division’s Tree Selection Guide.
*Residents that have received a tree in the last two years (2017-2018) will not be eligible for a tree this year – eligibility will be verified.
Trees Help Reduce Energy Costs
Besides looking good, trees strategically placed around your yard can have a significant impact on your cooling costs. As a locally owned and locally controlled utility, Provo City Power is interested in lowering costs to Provo consumers. Lower power bills save you money, and help the utility reduce the need to purchase expensive power especially at peak times.
Trees act as a natural air conditioner, reducing heat and reflection from the sun’s hot rays. This natural cooling happens as water evaporates from the leaf surfaces into the surrounding air. When the right tree is planted at the proper site, trees can be as beneficial as other energy saving home improvements including insulation, weather stripping, and shade screens.
Cooling costs can be reduced 30-50% by proper placement of trees around buildings, air conditioners, and paved areas. Also, lawns shaded by trees use 30-50% less water. Approximately 20 different tree species will be available to select from. The selection of trees offered by Provo City Power are proven to be the most appropriate for maximum cooling of your home if planted strategically. All trees shed leaves, twigs, flowers or a fruiting structure at some time. There is no tree that is completely maintenance free. You may view various tree species on the Provo City Forestry Division’s Tree Selection Guide at provopower.org/forestry.
Remember, when planting your shade trees not to plant them any closer than 25-35 feet perpendicular to any power lines. Determine the shade tree’s width at maturity and plant the tree more than half that distance from the power lines.