I admit that I got interested in the cash for appliances program after the door fell off my microwave. A little sign that it may be time to upgrade some appliances. While microwaves are not apart of the cash for appliances program there are many other household appliances that qualify. The Cash for Appliance program is a rebate program being funded with $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Under this program, eligible consumers can receive rebates to purchase new energy-efficient appliances when they replace used appliances.
Consumers can get hundreds of dollars in rebates. The great news is this is a double savings. You will get the savings upfront when you buy the new energy-efficient appliance and on the backside when you start saving money on your energy bills.
The Energy Star logo is awarded to products that meet or exceed criteria for energy efficiency established by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Energy Star-qualified products can be as much as 10% to 50% more efficient. As appliances age, their overall energy-efficiency can drop significantly due to aging parts, malfunctioning controlling devices, bad seals and other components.
Many of us love to hang on to our old refrigerators for those lazy days of summer when we can go into the garage for a cold beverage or for keeping goodies in our basement. Older refrigerators equate to additional energy consumption. Running an additional older model unit can consume up to 66 percent more energy than a newer model Energy Star equivalent. Even though you may have gotten your money’s worth out of an appliance, you may be spending far more on electricity than the unit is worth.
Qualifying Cash for Appliances List
• Boilers
• Central air conditioners
• Clothes washers
• Dishwashers
• Freezers
• Furnaces (oil and gas)
• Heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
• Refrigerators
• Room air conditioners
• Water heaters
Cash for Appliances Program Details
• The Cash for Appliance Program rules vary by state. Check in with your state to determine the rules and how you can qualify.
• The program can last through February 2012 but is expected to end very soon as it is in affect only until funding is exhausted.
• The appliance rebates range from $50 to $250 per appliance.
• Only purchases that replace an existing appliance are eligible for a rebate.
• The rebate will arrive in about four to six weeks with payment in the form of a check or a prepaid card.
• Some states do require that you recycle your old appliance, but many that do so will offer an additional rebate. Many national chains, such as Sears or Lowe's, will take your old appliances and help you to fill out rebate forms
• Be sure to keep your receipts, proof of purchase information and recycling documentation. Your state's program may require all of those to collect your rebate
