Green Rebates To Coincide With Earth Day

The U.S. Congress appropriated $300 million nationwide to support state rebate programs for residential ENERGY STAR appliance products (those that represent improvements in efficiency compared to the majority of products on the market).

According to SECO (Texas’ State Energy Conservation Office), Texas will receive and use all $23.3 million in federal stimulus funds for a mail-in rebate program for consumers who purchase new energy-efficient appliances. The program will be administered through the office of state Comptroller Susan Combs.

The mail-in rebates will only apply to EnergyStar-labeled appliances purchased between April 16 and April 25, 2010. With the additional benefit of $75 rebate if the old (like) appliance is recycled.

This 10-day period was chosen to coincide with Earth Day, plus it will give retailers time to stock up on appliances, give the state time to select a vendor to administer the rebates, and allow ample time to inform consumers about details of the rebate program.

Texas consumers will be able to reserve their rebates in the two weeks before April 16th by applying online or by phone, but details aren’t yet available, (see SECO link at bottom of post).

After the reserved mail-in rebates are awarded, any remaining funds will be rebated to consumers on a first-come, first-served basis. Texans will be limited to two appliance rebates and two recycling rebates per household.

Appliance rebate programs have been in place for a number of years, but this is the first year the federal program has been funded so heavily. For consumers in the market or browsing for new appliances, these rebates may encourage purchases of higher-end units that are more efficient, particularly in Texas where the rebates can equal up to 15% of a new appliance’s purchase price.( http://www.chron.com )

Rebate Per Appliance Type (Not including $75 recycle rebate) :

• Refrigerator: $240
• Freezer: $180
• Room air conditioner: $45
• Clothes washer : $150 or $180*
• Dishwasher: $110 or $140*
• Central air conditioner: $600, $800 or $1,000*
• Heat pump: $1,200 – $1,600*
• Water heater: $255 – $640*

*Depending on appliance type and energy efficiency of model purchased.

The $75 appliance rebate could trigger a boom for Texas appliance recyclers like the Jaco Environmental facility a few miles east of downtown Houston.

Jaco has been working with the city of Houston for several years, tearing apart refrigerators that homeowners drop off at city recycling centers. It recycles 95% of the parts and materials.

“The Texas program is very unique because of the $75 recycling rebate,” said Michael Dunham, director of energy and environmental programs for Jaco. “I expect the response will be huge.”

For more information: www.secostimulus.org/rebate

…. as the green future unfolds.

Sources: Texas Comptroller’s Office
The Houston Chronicle

Tags: appliance products, appliance rebate, appliance rebates, appliance type, climate, earth day, energy efficient appliances, energy start, environment, Everything Solar, first come first served basis, go green, Going Green, household appliance, mail, new appliance, new appliances, new energy, rebate program, rebate programs, residential energy, state comptroller, state energy conservation office, state time, susan combs, texas consumers, thermal, water, wind

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