Cash for Appliances
Many of us will have the opportunity to purchase new appliances during the “cash for appliances” program this spring through the government. The newer energy efficient appliances are said to pull much less energy, enough to make a notable difference on your utilities bill. My refrigerator is more than 20 years old, so I plan to take advantage of the offer. While I wait for word on when the “cash for appliances” in our state begins, I am shopping around and asking questions. Stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s may run special deals along with the rebates offered by the government. So it makes sense to shop around. There is only so much money allotted for each state, so when the money is gone, so are the rebates.
According to the USA Government website, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funded a State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program that will offer rebates to buyers of energy-efficient appliances and other products that carry the Energy Star label. Rebates will be issued through the program for refrigerators, dishwashers, furnaces, air conditioners and more. Similar to the Cash for Clunkers program, the goals are to stimulate the economy and improve the environment. However, trade-ins will not be required for the appliance program.
According to the Department of Energy (DOE), consumers could expect rebates from $50 to $250, depending upon the product being purchased, purchase price and other market factors. Each state developed its own rebate program, and had the flexibility to select which appliances to include and what rebate amounts to offer. Federal tax credits and other financial incentives may be claimed for the same products, as long as they qualify under the rules of the programs and are not specifically excluded.
For more information on the appliance rebate program, please contact your state’s energy office.
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