Buying a new appliance? Find out how to get a rebate...
You may be able to save money when you recycle an old household appliance and buy a new one with the Energy Star rating—if you know how to apply for the rebate.
A new federal government rebate program offers consumers between $50 and $250 when they buy energy-efficient appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioners, furnaces, refrigerators, freezers and water heaters.
Don’t confuse this appliance rebate program with the proposed “Cash for Caulkers” program, which would offer rebates on home maintenance projects such as insulation, windows, roofing and doors, as well as on energy audits.
The premise for the appliance rebate program is similar to that of the “Cash for Clunkers” program, where people were able to get rebates when they traded in gas-guzzling vehicles for more fuel-efficient models.
There is one notable difference between the rebate program for cars and the rebate program for appliances: Each state is implementing the appliance rebate program in very different ways.
First of all, each state has its own rules on what kinds of appliances are even eligible for rebates. For example, Wisconsin offers rebates on many items: refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers, gas storage water heaters, gas tankless water heaters, electric heat pump water heaters, solar water heaters, indirect water heaters, furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps. At the same time, New York offers rebates only on refrigerators, freezers and washing machines, but you can get a higher rebate if you buy all three.
In some states, the program begins in April, often coinciding with Earth Day, April 22. In other states, the program is already under way and runs until the funds are depleted, so you should act promptly to ensure you get a rebate. In four states (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Rhode Island) the programs have already closed.
The rules also vary on the size of the rebates, which residents qualify for rebates and whether you must recycle your old appliance to get a rebate.
Don’t worry about what all the other states are doing. You can find the rules for your state at the Web site of the U.S. Department of Energy.
These rebates are being funded with $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
For more tips on saving energy, or to schedule a Free Energy Analysis, please call 866-284-8604.
