Cash for Appliances Stimulus Rebate Program – Covering Air Conditioners to Refrigerators to Washers; And How to Claim the Rebate

The Federal energy-efficient appliance rebate program or Cash for Appliances program as it is more commonly known is now live in a number of states. The program will provide $300 rebates for Energy Star electric heat-pump water heaters, $100 for super-efficient clothes washers and $50 for super-efficient refrigerators. The program is being administered by the state energy departments and qualified consumers will get their rebates through the mail, in the form of a Visa debit card or some other state sponsored rebate program. Consumers who purchase a qualified appliance need to show proof that their old appliance was hauled away when the new one was delivered (receipts from each transaction should suffice)

Make sure to check your state’s energy department site (google it or see the list below) before buying an energy efficient appliance because only qualified purchases after the program start date, which varies by state, will be eligible for the rebate. Each state has been allocated a specified amount of funds for the program. When the funds are depleted, the program ends. So get in early to get the rebate.  The program will continue until the $5.4 million allocated for Maryland has been distributed, according to the MEA. Here are more details about Maryland’s appliance rebate program. 

California Appliance Rebates

California will implement a $35.2 million mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with new ENERGY STAR® qualified and ultra-efficient appliances. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin April 22, 2010 to coincide with Earth Day activities.

Eligible products include

* Refrigerators
* Clothes washers
* Room air conditioners

Consumers must provide proof of recycling to receive rebates, and must purchase the appliances from a California retailer. For more information see the California Energy Commission website.

 Texas Appliance Rebates

The State of Texas will implement a $23 million mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with new, ENERGY STAR® qualified and ultra-efficient appliances. The program is scheduled April 16-25, 2010.

Eligible products include

  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Clothes washers
  • Dishwashers
  • Room air conditioners
  • Gas condensing water heaters
  • Gas storage water heaters
  • Gas tankless water heaters
  • Electric heat pump water heaters
  • Solar water heaters
  • Central air conditioners
  • Air source heat pumps

Customers may reserve their rebates online before the program begins, and are required to provide proof of haul-away of replaced appliances. Consumers can also obtain a bonus rebate by providing proof that their old appliances were recycled through a State Energy Conservation Office partner retailer or recycling center. More information at Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Illinois Appliance Rebates – Started Jan 31st 2010 to April 26th 2010  

The State of Illinois will implement a two-phase instant rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified models. The first phase (for water heaters and heating and ventilation products) began January 31, 2010, and will end when funds run out. Rebates for water heaters ended on February 21, 2010. Consumers can receive rebates on eligible heating and air conditioning products through participating contractors.

The second phase will take place between April 16 and 26, 2010, when consumers can receive rebates on ENERGY STAR qualified appliances at participating retail locations. Eligible products include

  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Clothes washers
  • Dishwashers
  • Room air conditioners
  • Gas tankless water heaters
  • Heat pump water heaters
  • Gas and propane furnaces
  • Gas boilers
  • Central air conditioners
  • Air source heat pumps

To receive new product rebates, consumers must purchase from “participating” retailers. Consumers who purchase a new refrigerator (mini-fridges excluded) or freezer, can receive an additional mail-in rebate with proof that their old appliance was hauled away when the new one was delivered. More information: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling

New York Appliance Rebates – Live from Feb 12, 2010

The State of New York launched a new rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified models. The program began February 12, 2010, and will continue until funds are depleted. Eligible products include

  • Refrigerators
  • Freezers
  • Clothes washers
  • High-efficiency appliance package

Consumers can obtain higher rebate amounts by purchasing a package including a refrigerator, clothes washer, and dishwasher that are more efficient than ENERGY STAR. Consumers are also eligible for a higher rebate with proof of recycling. More Information : New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The State of Ohio will implement a mail-in rebate program that will help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with new, ENERGY STAR® qualified and ultra-efficient models. The program is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2010 and will end when funds are depleted.

Eligible products include

  • Refrigerators
  • Clothes washers
  • Dishwashers
  • Gas storage water heaters
  • Electric heat pump water heaters

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[Update Dec 2009] This program, detailed in the earlier update below, is almost live and most states have submitted and received notice of their funding. The program will start sometime during early 2010, with rebates between $25 and $200 based on the appliance being purchased. The cash for appliances program will not be retroactive, meaning consumers will not be able to qualify for the rebate by buying an appliance before the official start date of the program in their state. When the Cash for Appliances program is eventually in place, qualified consumers will get their rebates through the mail, in the form of a Visa debit card or some other state sponsored rebate program.

 
To check exactly how much your state has received from the Department of Energy (DOE) funding pool, visit the DOE site (energy.gov) and select your state. For example California has received $35 million as shown in the graphic above. You will then need to visit your state’s energy department’s web site (do a google search for it) to get details on how to actually claim the rebate. This information can be hard to find, so if you are having troubles finding this information, leave a comment here and I will try and research it for you.
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[Previous Update] Just when you thought the government was done giving out free money, here comes another round of economic stimulus funded payments in what is being dubbed the Cash for Appliances Program (in honor of the wildly successful Cash for Clunkers CARS program). The $300 Million program, managed by Department of Energy (DOE) but run by the states, provides rebates to consumers for the purchase of new ENERGY STAR qualified home appliances. The appliance industry, reeling from the recession and a drop in sales, is also very supportive of the program in hopes that the rebates will provide a much-needed sales
boost. 

The new funding will be awarded to states and territories, through their energy offices, using a formula set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Each state or territory is required to submit a plan that specifies which ENERGY STAR appliance categories will be included in their rebate program, the rebate level for each product type, how the rebates will be processed, and their plan for recycling old appliances. States and territories must first file an initial application expressing their intent to participate by August 15, 2009, followed by a full application by October 15, 2009. States and territories can use these funds to leverage the utility companies and energy efficiency program sponsors in their area.

This program will also leverage the power of the ENERGY STAR program, a well-known appliance labeling program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. DOE, that helps consumers make energy smart choices by identifying the most energy efficient products.

Rebate Checks and Eligible Appliances

Unlike the CARs program, there’s no trade-in required for old appliances – which some critics say make it a less effective poor program. Rebate checks (in the $50 to $200 range) will be issued whenever a qualifying appliance is purchased once the program is live (in fall 2009). States have the flexibility to select which residential ENERGY STAR qualified appliances to include in their programs and the individual rebate amount for each appliance, with the DOE recommending that states and territories focus their program efforts on heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters as these products offer the greatest energy savings potential. ENERGY STAR qualified appliance categories eligible for rebates include: central air conditioners, heat pumps (air source and geothermal), boilers, furnaces (oil and gas), room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, and water heaters.

The program is expected to be operational later this year – October 2009 onwards. Consumers thinking of buying household appliances should check with their state’s energy department for more details and eligibility criteria.

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2 thoughts on “Cash for Appliances Stimulus Rebate Program – Covering Air Conditioners to Refrigerators to Washers; And How to Claim the Rebate”

  1. I can believe it…I reside in New Jersey and just purchased an energy efficient refrigerator on May 7, 2010 but unfortunately the State suspended the rebate program until further notice. Any updates or info where I can qualify for the rebate on my new appliance would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply

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