Cash For Clunker Appliances
National News
by
Anthony Ponce
last edited on
Friday, January 22, 2010
"We're encouraging people to replace their old appliances with new, energy efficient appliances." That's according to Tanya Tiche of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
Do that, and save big. Starting a week from Sunday, you can get a 25 percent instant rebate on energy-efficient water heaters, and starting Apr. 16, a 15 percent rebate on energy efficient refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, and air conditioners.
"To take advantage of the rebate, the appliance you buy has to be Energy Star-rated. So when you're shopping for appliances, make sure to keep an eye out for this energy star logo," Tiche says. "The money is there. It's there for them to increase their energy efficiency."
The discounts are made possible from $12.5 million already set aside for Illinois from the federal stimulus package. It works a lot like the Cash for Clunkers program, which thousands took advantage of last summer.
Brad Kosar might just hold off on buying a new washer dryer set to take advantage of the savings. "If it's federal money, why not take advantage of it?" he asks.
And like Cash for Clunkers, if you can prove you recycled your old appliance, you're eligible for another rebate check for either $50 or $100.
"Which is great for everyone involved: for the retailer and especially for the customer and so this is a small part they can do to help their homes become more energy efficient," says Tiche.
Rebates for water heaters start January 31st, and for all the other appliances on Apr, 16. The Energy Efficiency Appliance Program will continue until the funds run out.