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UCAIR Smart Thermostat Program

A Program Sponsored By

This year, the UCAIR Smart Thermostat program will donate 400 Google Nest E smart thermostats to Housing Connect. Housing Connect serves more than 5,000 low- to moderate-income households annually through affordable housing opportunities and rental assistance programs that assist individuals and families those with specific housing needs and oftentimes the highest barriers. UCAIR is excited to partner with Housing Connect to install the thermostats in multifamily housing units across Salt Lake County and provide accessible information to residents on how to use the smart thermostat for optimal energy savings.

Why Smart Thermostats?

The customizable settings on smart thermostats ensure that your heating and cooling only turn on when necessary. The “smart” features of these devices adjust the temperature for different factors such as humidity, whether the home is occupied or empty, and time of day. By intelligently managing our homes’ heating and cooling systems, smart thermostats reduce energy waste, leading to lower utility bills and reduced household emissions. 

Better your wallet:

Smart thermostats can reduce heating bills by 10-12% and cooling bills by up to 15%, saving households an average of $131 to $145 a year. This resource greatly benefits the low-income households served by Housing Connect, where the average annual income is $13,411.

Better for our air

Smart thermostats help to reduce total energy consumption, which lowers emissions associated with natural gas combustion for heating and electricity generation for cooling.

Other Utah households interested in switching to a smart thermostat to save energy and improve Utah’s air quality can find rebate programs through energy providers like Rocky Mountain Power’s Wattsmart program or Dominion Energy’s ThermWise Program.

About Housing Connect

Founded in 1970, Housing Connect (formerly the Housing Authority of the County of Salt Lake) was established to ensure access to safe and affordable housing in Salt Lake County. This pursuit continues today embedded in the agency’s mission to connect people and communities to quality affordable housing opportunities while promoting self-sufficiency and neighborhood revitalization. For more information about Housing Connect, including their different housing programs, visit https://housingconnect.org/.

Commuter

Commuter e-bikes are built for everyday comfort and are road-focused for navigating urban landscapes. They have a casual yet mildly active riding position which allows you to maintain control and efficiency without being in an aggressive seating position. As the name implies, these bikes are perfect for those looking to use an e-bike for their daily commute.

Need an option that transitions from paved paths to mountain trails? Some e-bikes in this category, like the Summit, are designed to transition well from a commuter bike during the week to a mountain bike on the weekend.

This program offers 5 eligible e-bike models in the commuter category:

How to Participate

  1. Register: Complete the registration form provided below to indicate your interest in the program. Do not recycle your leaf blower or visit a metal recycler until your registration has been confirmed by UCAIR.
  2. Check Your Email: Wait for an email from UCAIR approving your participation in the exchange and providing further instructions. Please allow 3-5 business days for this email to arrive in your inbox.
  3. Recycle: Visit one of the participating metal recyclers, listed below, to recycle your current gas-powered leaf blower.
    • You must remove gas & oil before recycling. Used oil can be taken to auto shops such as AutoZone or O’Reilly. Leftover gas must be disposed of at a landfill or household hazardous waste location. Your gas-powered leaf blower will not be accepted for recycling with gas and/or oil.
  4. Receive Recycling Ticket: Upon recycling, ask for a UCAIR recycling ticket. This ticket will be marked with a unique identification number. Keep this safe!
  5. Claim Voucher: Scan the QR code on your recycling ticket or click here to access the Voucher Request Form. Enter your unique ticket number to claim your new leaf blower. 
  6. Await Confirmation: Once your voucher is processed, you’ll receive an email with details on when and where to pick up your new battery-powered leaf blower.
  7. Collect Your New Leaf Blower: Visit the specified distribution location during one of the provided time windows in your confirmation email to collect your new leaf blower.
  8. Enjoy: Power up your new battery-powered leaf blower and experience a cleaner lawn care experience!
 

Please Note: Leaf blowers for this year’s exchange will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 500 eligible participants who register and recycle their current gas-powered leaf blower. This program is limited to one exchange per household. Do not take your gas-powered leaf blower to a landfill or you will not receive a voucher for a new leaf blower.