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September, 2009

 
 
  
SMUD - Connections
 
September 2009
  

FALL'S A GREAT TIME TO PLANT FREE TREES

Free shade trees

Thinking of doing some fall planting? SMUD can help with free shade trees that not only add beauty to your landscape, but also save you money on energy bills.

Fully grown, properly placed shade trees can cut cooling costs by as much as 40 percent. Your home is a candidate if it has eastern, western or southern exposures that are heated by direct sunlight.

All it takes to get your free shade trees is a call to the Sacramento Tree Foundation at 916-924- TREE (8733). A community forester will come to your home to help you select the locations and best trees for your property, and to answer questions about planting and caring for your trees. Appointments can also be made at SMUD.org.

Since 1990, SMUD, in collaboration with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, has planted more than 400,000 trees in the Sacramento area. For information about SMUD's Sacramento Shade program, call 1-888-742-SMUD (7683).

TAKE STEPS TO KEEP PETS, PEOPLE SAFE

Keep pets and people safe Meter readers typically encounter 60 dogs for every 100 homes they visit -- and sometimes the meeting isn't a good one.

Take action to protect your meter reader and your dog. Check out your meter reading schedule at SMUD.org by looking at the billing cycle number on your monthly bill, and then using that number to find out when your meter reader will be by. Need help? Call SMUD at 1-888-742-SMUD (7683).

Also make a note to call when you have a new dog in the yard. While many meters no longer require yard access to be read, a quick call to be sure everyone stays safe is well worth your time.

TRADE YOUR OLD REFRIGERATOR, FREEZER FOR SOME COOL CASH

Recycle your old fridgeGot an old refrigerator or freezer? We'll pay you $35 to recycle it, and we'll pick it up, too.

Older refrigerators can add up to $125 to an annual electric bill because they use up to three times more power than newer models.

SMUD is looking to recycle 8,000 spare refrigerators and freezers, saving more than 1.3 megawatts of electricity annually, enough to power about 1,000 average-sized homes. Interested customers should act soon to take advantage while funds are available.

SMUD has contracted with JACO Environmental to pick up the appliances from customers' homes and recycle the old units. JACO is an experienced appliance recycler that will schedule pick-up and transport the appliance to their facility. JACO will then recover and recycle all component parts and properly dispose of potentially harmful chemicals found in the cooling system and insulation.

There are some program guidelines:

  • The refrigerator or freezer must be in working condition, and between 10 and 27 cubic feet in size to qualify.
  • Up to two units may be recycled per residential address.
  • The refrigerator-recycling program is done on a "first-come first-served" basis and ends on Dec. 31, 2009.

SMUD customers can sign up for the program by making a free call to SMUD's contractor, JACO, at 1-800-299-7573 or by visiting SMUD.org and then clicking on the tab labeled "Rebates."

IN THIS ISSUE

FALL'S A GREAT TIME TO PLANT FREE TREES

TAKE STEPS TO KEEP PETS, PEOPLE SAFE

TRADE YOUR OLD REFRIGERATOR, FREEZER FOR SOME COOL CASH

PROTECT YOUR APPLIANCES, ELECTRONICS FROM POWER SURGES

Severe weather, vehicle accidents and even wildlife can be the source of power disruptions beyond SMUD's ability to control. SMUD's Power Protection Service can help to protect electronics from damage caused by power surges.

Whole house protection intercepts power surges at the meter. A device is installed to help to protect appliances with motors, such as the dishwasher, air conditioner, washer, dryer and refrigerator. Whole House Protection is $6.95 per month, with a six-month minimum required.

The service includes:

  • One free plug-in surge protector with sign-up.
  • Free replacement of worn surge protectors.
  • Free inspection, testing and minor repairs of your home's main electrical grounding at the electric meter when the whole house protector is installed.

SMUD also offers plug-in protectors for $39 each plus tax. Plug-in protectors provide the only way to protect from power surges that originate within your home or that come into your home over the telephone or cable TV lines.

Sign-up is easy, and the cost is conveniently added to your monthly bill. Sign up online at SMUD.org or call 1-888-742-SMUD (7683).

SMUD
CUSTOMER SERVICE:
1-888-742-SMUD (7683)
Hours: M-F 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Pay online: www.smud.org

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