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Bounties for
'Energy Hogs'
March 2010
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By Megan McKoy
Waiting for the right moment to replace your fridge? What about your 30-year-old washing machine? If so, the time has come.
By the end of last year every U.S. state and territory had designed a federal “Cash for Appliances” program. Some of these offerings launched in late 2009; others begin this spring. The $300 million rebate effort, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (also known as the stimulus bill), aims to make homes more efficient while stimulating the economy.
“Appliances consume a huge amount of electricity, so there’s enormous potential to both save energy and take pressure off consumers’ pocketbooks every month,” explains U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Steven
Chu. “These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances.”
Rebates are available on a wide array of Energy Star-labeled products, ranging from $50 to $250 per appliance. Since each state designed its own program and selected which appliances to include, the value of rebates and the qualifying time period for purchases differ. In some cases, states also limit rebates to consumers with certain income levels.
The State of Florida will implement a mail-in rebate program to help replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin in April 2010. The program is timed to coincide with Florida’s Earth Day Activities. Funding for Florida’s Appliance Rebate program totals $17,585,000. Florida will offer residents a 20% rebate off the price of a new ENERGY STAR qualified appliance. Consumers may also receive an additional rebate with proof of having recycled the old appliance. For Florida-specific details on how you can take advantage of the program, visit
www.energysavers.gov/rebates
Although each state’s program remains unique, DOE recommended rebates for Energy Star-qualified appliances in these categories: boilers, central air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, furnaces (oil and gas), heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), refrigerators, room air conditioners, and water heaters.
Rebates will be available until each state’s budget has been spent or February 2012, whichever comes first. Only purchases that replace existing appliances are eligible.
Unlike the Cash for Clunkers initiative for old vehicles, consumers typically don’t have to bring in an old appliance to qualify for the rebate (though some states like Texas offer an additional incentive if you do). A few states, including Georgia, require proof that you’re recycling specific appliances like a refrigerator or freezer.
Consumers may qualify for additional rebates offered by state governments and local utilities. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency provides a list of available rebates at
www.dsireusa.org. But make sure to verify eligibility.
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