Senate Democrats on Tuesday punted their oil spill response bill to next month, but the extra time doesn’t guarantee the measure will pass — far from it.

The delay virtually ensures that strategists from both parties will use the congressional recess to hone their plans, talking points and poison-pill amendments for any floor debate, all with an eye toward the midterm elections.

Majority Leader Harry Reid’s decision to pull the plug on offshore drilling is the latest blow to Democratic efforts to move energy legislation, beginning with the deaths of a sweeping climate change bill and then a scaled-down renewable energy bill.

Some Democrats and environmentalists said they are optimistic the extra time will allow them to revisit the broader renewable energy provisions they had to jettison earlier, in hopes of folding them into the drilling bill.

But lobbyists and staffers close to the energy bill process said that, if anything, the partisan dynamics that led Reid to pull the bill this week will only get worse the closer lawmakers come to the midterm elections.

“Reid has got to craft a very narrow bill. He’s going to have to go as narrow as possible,” said a former Senate Democratic aide now closely involved in the Hill energy debate. “Getting broader just makes it harder. He’s going to have to go as narrow as possible, given that he’s got some Democrats against the liability cap. It’s a terrible box.”

“Sen. Reid is predictably blaming Republicans for standing in the way of a bill that he threw together in secret and without input from almost any other member of the Senate,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), ranking member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Process alone guaranteed its failure, although substance would have as well had Sen. Reid actually brought his bill up for debate or a vote.”

New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, the author of the language lifting the liability cap and the chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, sounded a partisan message about the stalled bill, outlining the talking points Democratic strategists had prepared to use in August campaigns after the spill vote.

“The key question is, Whose side are you on? … Are you on the side of Big Oil, or are you on the side of citizens in coastal communities?” Menendez said. “I hope citizens spend the month of August asking Republicans why they oppose holding BP accountable.”

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Fifty states and six territories have launched “Cash for Appliances” programs since late last year. Each one had the same amount of money – about a dollar per resident – but the results have been wildly different. Some states ran through their entire rebate budgets in hours; others can’t seem to give away their money. What’s been going on?

(click for full sized chart)

Cash for Appliances, modeled on (or at least nicknamed after) last year’s “Cash for Clunkers” program, was funded as part of the $787 billion stimulus bill. Unlike “Cash for Clunkers,” the appliance rebate program wasn’t designed and administered by the federal government. Instead, the government directed $300 million to the 50 states (plus DC and several American territories), at a ratio of roughly $1 per person in each state. Each state then had the opportunity to design their own program within the general guidelines given by the government.

As you’d imagine with a lot of cooks in the kitchen, no two states designed their rebate program in the exact same way: rebate amounts, categories, eligibility, application processes and marketing plans have all differed. As have the results… Ten states had crushing consumer demand that caused them to run out of rebate funds within 4 days of the respective program start dates, with complaints of flooded call centers and crashing websites. Thirteen other states still have desperate operators standing by and literally can’t give away their money.

Comparing State by State Rebate Programs

It’s not just a matter of some states having better deals than others. Take, for example, refrigerator rebates in Massachusetts, Minnesota and California. The programs in all three states offered $200 rebates on efficient refrigerators. Massachusetts and Minnesota “sold out” in 1 day and 2 days respectively. California? Same rebate amount, but the program has been open since April and still has $19 million in rebates unredeemed.

Across the country, the rebate categories and amounts are all over the board:
So what attributes matter the most when it comes to determining whether a state program sells out quickly or not at all? The answers aren’t as straightforward as you’d think. We did some analysis to compare each of the programs to see what predicted their likelihood to sell out.

What Doesn’t Matter

Average Electricity Rates: One of the biggest surprises in analyzing the state by state rebate data is that the average price of electricity in a state has almost no impact on how popular its Cash for Appliances program is. Consumers don’t seem to be thinking about this program in terms of its ability to save them money over the long-term – otherwise, we’d expect to see that the states with much more expensive electricity selling out their rebate programs much more quickly than those that have relatively cheap power.

Non-Appliance Rebates: There are the “shiny” appliances (refrigerators, washers, freezers and dishwashers), and then there are the “boring” systems (air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, water heaters, boilers and solar water heaters). There’s almost no correlation between the number of “boring” categories that a state has rebates for, or the maximum amount of any of those rebates, and the speed at which the state has gone or is going through their Cash for Appliances budget. While we haven’t seen break-downs for many states in terms of the numbers of each type of rebate that have been redeemed, this result indicates that most people aren’t being motivated by the number or dollar figures of non-appliance rebates.

What Matters a Little Bit

Number of “Shiny” Appliance Rebate Categories: There are four basic appliance categories where states can offer rebates (refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and clothes washers). Generally speaking, the states that offer rebates in 3 or 4 of those categories are more likely to have run through their rebate dollars quickly than those that have offered rebates in fewer appliance categories.

The fact that states that offer smaller rebates on a broader set of appliances have handed out their money faster than states that offer larger rebates on fewer types of appliances may mean that rebates aren’t successfully channeling consumers into buying specific appliances, but rather “catching” buyers who were already planning purchases.

What Really Matters

“Do you have reservations, sir?”: The number one predictor of whether a state rebate program sold out quickly didn’t have anything to do with how generous the rebates were. It actually turned out to hinge on the program’s design. Virtually all the “fast” states required consumers to pre-reserve a rebate application before making a purchase. These states set up websites and call centers that “opened” at a certain date and time, creating an “event” that turned into a feeding frenzy of activity, before closing down within days, or even hours.

Ten of the 17 “fastest” states required consumers to reserve a rebate before purchasing a qualifying appliance. Six others had hybrid programs where consumers could either reserve ahead of time or get the discount at the point of sale (if available). Of the 15 “slowest” states, 11 have no reservation system, and three others have optional reservation systems. Basically, all the “slow” states use mail-in rebates after purchase.

Conclusions

For rebate program designers in government, utilities or manufacturers, there are a few lessons that can be taken away from the Cash for Appliances results:

1. Create demand through scarcity by requiring pre-reservation for new rebate programs. For rebate programs like Indiana and Pennsylvania (and like many utility rebate programs across the country), that only pay out non-appliance rebates, a potentially effective strategy to kick-start demand would be to re-launch the program with higher rebates for the same back-end measures, but require consumers to pre-reserve their rebate on a specific launch date.

2. Bundle “shiny stuff” (basic appliances) and “boring stuff” (HVAC systems) together to increase the uptake of less exciting, but greater energy saving, systems.

3. Catch the “already upgrading” crowd by offering rebates on a wide set of categories but only on the most efficient models in each category. The program may not be stimulating purchases that wouldn’t have happened already, but it can nudge consumers to the highest efficiency products in each category.

The data from the Cash for Appliances program results fit with academic research on consumer behavior.

“The variable rates of uptake based on seemingly trivial factors such as creating a sense of urgency are further evidence that, when the goal is to encourage consumers to act in their best interest, giving them some reason other than pure rationality can be surprisingly effective,” said Michael I. Norton, Associate Professor of Marketing at Harvard Business School, “Inserting some excitement into behaving well – in some sense, copying the way parents induce their children to eat their vegetables via airplane noises – should always be an important consideration for policymakers interested in encouraging behavior change.”

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“Cash for Caulkers” is nearly here. Last month the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5019 – also known as the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010 or “Cash for Caulkers” – to kick-start construction, create jobs and cut back carbon emissions. While the bill still needs to clear the Senate, supporters predict it will pass this summer.

This is great news for homeowners and contractors alike. The bill provisions $6 billion for energy-efficient or “green” retrofits. It is expected to fund renovations for 3 million families, create 168,000 new jobs and save consumers $9.2 billion on energy bills over the next 10 years.

But in order to cash in on upcoming rebates, homeowners and contractors will need to do their homework. There are 13 types of retrofits eligible for funding. Each retrofit has unique eligibility requirements and set rebate amounts. You can read the full text here.

Who is Eligible and How to Qualify?

The Home Star bill offers two rebate programs, the “Silver Star” program and “Gold Star” program. Here are details for each:

Silver Star – Unless another amount is specified in the “Rebate Amount” column above, homeowners will receive a $1,000 rebate for each retrofit listed in our table. The maximum amount of rebates paid out will be $3,000 or 50% of the total cost, whichever is lower. For example, if a homeowner spends a total of $4,000 on eligible retrofits, they will get $2,000 or 50% back as a rebate. If they spend $8,000 on eligible retrofits, they would only receive $3,000 in rebates instead of $4,000 (which would be 50% of the cost).

We made it really easy to wade through the legalese. Here is a table that breaks down the 13 retrofits of the bill, along with the requirements and rebate amount for each. In addition to the requirements we listed, each retrofit must comply with Building Performance Institute (BPI) standards or other procedures to be approved by the Secretary of Energy.

Gold Star – To qualify for the Gold Star program, homeowners must reduce their total home energy consumption by 20%. A $3,000 rebate will be rewarded for this reduction. Homeowners can receive an additional $1,000 for each additional 5% reduction, up to a total rebate of $8,000 or 50% of the total retrofit cost. Rebates may be provided for any of the retrofits listed under the Silver Star program, or for any other energy-saving measure, including: home energy management systems, high-efficiency appliances, highly reflective roofing, awnings, canopies, and similar external fenestration (window) attachments, automatic boiler water temperature controllers, energy-efficient wood products, insulated vinyl siding, and mechanical air circulation and heat exchangers in a passive-solar home.

The Home Star bill also includes rebates for do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners that are confident in taking on the renovations themselves. DIY’ers can get up to $250 in rebates for products purchased without installation service. This rebate is limited to attic insulation, crawl space insulation and/or air-sealing retrofits.

Seal Your House Envelope and Improve Insulation

Before carrying out any serious retrofit, homeowners need to weatherize and seal their house “envelope.” The envelope includes outer walls, windows, doors, floors and the ceiling. If the house is not properly sealed and insulated, then subsequent HVAC retrofits won’t be as effective.

So how much does it cost to seal all the air leaks in a home? Prices will obviously vary based on where you live, how big your property is and the scope of the retrofit. But it will likely cost a few thousand dollars to hire a contractor for this type of renovation. In this example from the New York Times, the author spent $3,760 for insulating and sealing the envelope of his 1,200 square foot home.

How much can homeowners expect to save? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that homeowners can save 20% on heating and cooling costs by sealing leaks and adding insulation. In New York – one of the most expensive places to heat a home with an average annual cost of $1,513 – this would be a yearly savings of $300 just for heating.

Continuing with the example from the New York Times, the Silver Star program would provide $1,880 (50%) in rebates for their retrofit. At an annual savings rate of $300, the renovation would pay for itself in six years (or less if you include cost savings from reduced air conditioning bills).

Repair and Replace Leaky Ducts

Duct replacement and sealing is eligible for funding under the Home Star bill. Many homeowners will want to outsource this project to a qualified HVAC contractor. Contractors have equipment to detect leaks that otherwise may not be immediately visible. They also have methods to seal ducts that are inaccessible. For example, by spraying an adhesive or sealant through the duct work.

Replacing and sealing ducts can also be a DIY project, especially when ducts can be easily accessed in an attic or basement. Leaks should be sealed with mastic sealant or metal tape (not duct tape), then insulated to reduce heat loss and to further improve efficiency. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has an excellent guide on how to seal and insulate ducts.

Upgrade Your Furnace and Water Heater

Heating is the largest energy expense in homes, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). In colder parts of the country, it makes up 30 to 50% of annual energy bills. So improving the heating efficiency of your home will have the biggest impact on lowering your energy costs. Sealing air leaks is a good start, but replacing your heating system could provide real leverage towards cost savings.

If your furnace or boiler was purchased before 1990, then it is time to consider an upgrade. Modern furnaces are much more efficient than those that are older than 20 years. You can use rebates from the Home Star bill to replace your furnace, but you will need to meet their guidelines:

Water heaters are typically the second largest energy users after home heating and cooling systems. Replacing convention oil-fired water heaters with high-efficiency gas or electric heaters can save homeowners thousands of dollars over a 10 to 15 year period. The Home Star bill includes a variety of replacement options eligible for rebates.

Additional Financing Resources

With other legislation in the queue, it might take weeks or months to hear the Senate’s final decision on the Home Star bill. In the meantime, homeowners can receive funding from other sources to pay for green renovations. The federal government, state governments, local municipalities and even utility companies offer several options.

For example, homeowners can still receive a federal tax credit for 30% of the cost of energy-efficient products (up to a total credit of $1,500). This includes the purchase of central air conditioning systems (both the product and installation), electric heat pumps, furnaces and boilers, and whole-house ventilation fans. Visit the US Department of Energy Energy Savers website for more information.

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According to both versions of the legislation, the Silver Star Program will offer rebates, in varying amounts up to $3,000 per home, awarded to participating contractors and vendors, who perform qualifying energy saving improvements. That means if a homeowner hires a contractor, the contractor will float the value of the rebate as a discount to you. They will then be paid by the rebate aggregator.

However, you can do some installations yourself. The press release for the Senate version says consumers can get “between $250 and $1500 in ‘point-of-sale’ rebates” for insulation, air sealing, and — of course — caulk.

The Gold Star Program offers retrofits that rebate up to $8,000 to contractors and vendors for retrofits that achieve home energy savings determined by a comparison of the simulated energy consumption of the home before and after the retrofit. Gold Star rebates to only be offered by contractors accredited by the Building Performance Institute. And it also includes similar language to the House version that defines a “certified workforce” as one where all employees performing installation work are certified by NATE, BPI, LIUNA, or HBI.

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Launched last September and designed to provide Delawareans money-back incentives for upgrading to new, high-efficiency household appliances, the program has provided nearly 10,200 rebates, saved more than $225,000 per year in energy-related costs, more than 1.2 million kilowatts of electricity and more than 16,500 therms of natural gas per year, officials said.

Delaware was the first state in the nation to deploy an appliance rebate program using federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. Having the non-profit Sustainable Energy Utility in place helped make the state’s leadership possible and move the appliance rebate money more quickly than most other states, officials noted.

In making the announcement, Markell stated, “This program demonstrates that people can cut their energy use without sacrificing modern conveniences. Delawareans save money and energy, reducing our collective demand on resources and helping us better protect the environment while spurring the economy. When people purchase new, more efficient appliances, it puts people to work to make and sell the appliances, generating economic benefits on many levels.”

“This important milestone in our Appliance Rebate Program is a testament to Delawareans’ commitment to saving energy and money, creating jobs and protecting the environment,” said McDowell “We’ve made important progress, but our job is far from finished and the SEU’s Energize Delaware is determined to provide the energy-efficiency resources and support residents and businesses need.”

In remarking on the milestone, Secretary Collin O’Mara of the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said, “Delaware has a long tradition of being at the forefront of innovation and is again setting a national example for empowering and engaging residents in fostering a sustainable energy future.

In an effort to become more energy efficient, Mary Conrad of Dover took advantage of the rebate offering when she recently purchased a dishwasher as part of a remodeling project in her kitchen. Conrad’s appliance purchase helped the program pass the 10,000th rebate milestone.

“I have been trying to be more conservative when it comes to energy use and to have less of a footprint on the earth all around,” Conrad said. “When I decided to redo my kitchen, I realized it was time to replace my 22-year-old dishwasher that wasn’t working as well it should. I was shopping around for prices and models, and a dealer had a sign about the rebates, and the model I decided to buy qualified for one.”

Conrad indicated that the money-back offer was an added incentive she needed to invest in a long-term energy-saving solution. When she is ready to make a future appliance purchase, she said she will be on the lookout for energy-efficient models that carry the Energy Star label.

“If every individual tries to do that, we can reduce our damage to the earth,” she added. “People looking for ways to become more energy efficient should take advantage of these rebates. And if you can save more money in this economy, it’s to your benefit.”

In recognition of the program’s 10,000th rebate, American Express, which issues the prepaid rebate cards to program participants, provided Conrad with a $100 American Express Gift Card.

Per capita, Delaware uses more energy than its neighbors and pays more for it. The average household spends about $2,200 on energy bills each year, but energy efficiency practices and Energy Star products can save a resident up to $700 a year on their energy bills.

These newer appliances use 10 to 50 percent less energy than standard, energy-sapping models and over time they more than cover the cost of the upgrade.

Through the Appliance Rebate Program, residents can download and submit rebate forms to receive up to $200 back on clothes washers, water heaters, room air conditioners and dishwashers. The program is scheduled to run until Aug. 31.

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MEDIA, PA – The opening of the Cash for Appliances program will allow Pennsylvanians to receive rebates of up to $500 for the purchase of new ENERGY STAR qualifying non-electric water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. These rebates are being funded with $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Congressman Sestak voted for last year. The ENERGY STAR program is a joint project between the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy which looks to provide information on how to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices.

“Decreasing our energy consumption through energy efficiency is one of the most critical steps we can take in establishing our economic and environmental security,” said Congressman Sestak. “As Pennsylvanians continue to manage their budgets during this historic economic recession, the Cash for Appliances program can provide assistance to households who need to upgrade old and inefficient equipment but might not have been able to otherwise afford it.”

The Cash for Appliances program is being managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and applies only to equipment purchased after April 21, 2010. In order to learn more about the specifics of the program, visit the Pennsylvania Cash for Appliances website, www.paheatingrebates.com, or call 1-877-592-2061. Note that the rebate program will run for a limited time only and will end when funds run out.

“An efficiently managed Cash for Appliances program will benefit American citizens and local businesses as well as taking us one step closer to a more secure and sustainable economy,” said Congressman Sestak.

The Cash for Appliances program can also be leveraged with other Act 129 [a law passed by the Pennsylvania State Legislature] rebates. Please contact your electric company about what other appliance rebates may be available through their programs for clothes washers, refrigerators, and dishwashers, as well as electric water heaters and HVAC equipment.

If you are a PECO customer, more information about PECO’s Act 129 equipment rebates, appliance recycling, and home energy audits can be found by calling -888-5-PECO-SAVE (1-888-573-2672) or by visiting the PECO Smart ideas webpage: www.pecosmartideas.com.

If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your principal residence, you may also be eligible for a federal tax credit for 30% of cost up to $1,500. Please note that as of this date, these tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2010. For more information, please visit the ENERGY STAR website at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

Also available on the ENERGY STAR website is an energy efficient rebate locator. Visit www.energystar.gov and click on “ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Program” to access this search database which provides additional information about rebates that may currently be available through a zip code search.

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The House of Representatives passed the $6 billion “cash for caulkers” program Thursday to give homeowners rebates of up to $8,000 for energy efficiency retrofits.

By a vote of 246 to 161, it passed the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, backed mostly by Democrats including President Obama and industry groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Association of Home Builders.

GOP members questioned the price tag at a time of mounting budget deficits. “We are going to authorize $6.6 billion of money we don’t have so we can caulk homes?” asked House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio during debate, according to the Associated Press.

The Senate has yet to vote on the two-year program, which will give rebates for adding insulation, sealing ducts and installing efficient water heaters, heating units and windows. It also includes $600 million in grants to states for programs to replace mobile homes with more energy efficient models.

“Home Star is a practical, common sense investment in job creation and energy savings,” says co-sponsor Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., who estimates three million families will participate.

Rebates will be worth $1,500 per measure, capped at 50% of project costs or $3,000, whichever is less. They could reach $8,000 for a whole-house retrofit that’s based on a thorough energy audit.

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Responding to complaints from people unable to secure rebates for energy-efficient appliances this week, state officials yesterday promised to honor payouts for the nearly 13,000 consumers on a waiting list for vouchers, and said that a second round of discounts will be offered this summer.

Unlike this week’s rebate program, the new one will distribute money through a lottery or some other random process, officials said, not on a first-come, first-served basis. It will also use funds set aside for other energy-efficiency programs in Massachusetts, instead of the federal stimulus dollars spent on Thursday’s giveaway.

While declining to provide a specific amount for the summer program, officials said it will be comparable to this week’s $5.5 million offering.

The Earth Day promotion proved so popular that a state website set up to process applications crashed minutes after the program launched at 10 a.m., and the money was depleted in less than two hours. More than 26,000 people were able to log on and secure at least one rebate, but thousands of others were frustrated by error messages, and a special phone line was jammed. In addition, a second website set up to alleviate online pressure quickly stalled out. The state had said that its website was built in anticipation of heavy traffic.

The rebate frenzy may have been heightened by the amount of the give-backs relative to the appliances’ prices. After the $250 dishwasher rebate, for instance, some low-end models were selling for $20 or less in area stores. Other rebates included $200 for refrigerators, $175 for clothes washers, and $50 for freezers. Yesterday, officials indicated rebates may be less generous next time around.

With the word yesterday that all 12,731 people on the waiting list will get a rebate reservation, those consumers now can go ahead and purchase their appliances. The cost of the waiting list rebates alone is $2 million. Officials said some of it will likely come from an initial $5.5 million federal allocation, based on the assumption that some of the rebates already handed out Thursday will go unused.

To make up the difference and to fund the summer program, the state said it will tap the account of MassSave — a partnership involving the state, major utility companies, and energy contractors. It has $2 billion to spend over the next three years to promote energy conservation in the state, funded by a surcharge of about $1 to $2 on customers’ utility bills, as well as funds from utilities and power plant operators. Robert Keough, spokesman for the state Office of Energy and the Environment, said the agency considers the appliance rebates an effective use of MassSave money, and that it will not significantly detract from MassSave’s other offerings, including home insulation subsidies and energy audits

After buying an appliance that qualifies for a rebate — which must be done by May 5 — consumers should send the rebate form to the state, along with a copy of the receipt, a recent electric bill, and a document showing the old appliance was taken away and a new one installed. Depending on store policies, consumers may have to pay for delivery, installation, and removal of old appliances. They also must pay the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax on the price of appliances prior to the rebate.

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Perhaps your water heater was damaged during the November nor’easter.

Maybe you’ve eyed a new water-saving washing machine to replace an old one.

Or, if you have an outdated heat pump, you might have considered swapping it for a model that uses less energy.

For any of these appliance purchases, you could get some money back from the federal government.

Starting Wednesday, Virginia will launch its version of the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, funded through the federal stimulus package.

For a new electric heat pump, consumers can get $300 back. Those who buy a washing machine can receive a $75 rebate. Purchases of energy-saving gas furnaces, water heaters and refrigerators also qualify for cash. All appliances must meet federal Energy Star standards for efficiency.

Consumers who want one of the rebates should act fast. If other states’ experiences and prior rebate programs in Virginia are any indication, the cash for appliances will run out quickly.

Virginia received $7.45 million for its program, overseen by the state Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. The department expects the funding to provide 41,398 rebates.

“We are really hoping we will not have all the rebates claimed in one or two days, as has happened in other states,” said Al Christopher, director of the department’s energy division. “There is a huge amount of interest in appliance rebate programs.”

Starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, consumers can reserve a rebate on the department’s website. The department will take reservations online only and will approve applications in the order they are received.

Once the rebate is reserved, the consumer has 60 days to purchase the appliance, then must provide documentation to the state to claim the money. The department processes the redemption forms and mails the rebate check, which can take an additional six to eight weeks, Christopher said.

The department will start a wait list once the reservations deplete the available funds. Money left over from unredeemed reservations will trickle down to those on the list.

For natural gas appliances such as furnaces and water heaters, Hampton Roads consumers don’t have to wait until Wednesday to apply for rebates.

Virginia Natural Gas and Columbia Gas of Virginia, the natural gas providers in the region, have their own rebate programs for energy-efficient gas appliances and will use the federal funds to supplement and extend them to more customers.

The state’s cash-for-appliances website will direct VNG and Columbia Gas customers to their sites to apply for rebates.

In January 2009, VNG began offering rebates of $500 for a high-efficiency furnace, $500 for a tankless water heater and $150 for a tank water heater.

Columbia Gas’ rebates, which began in January, are $300 for a furnace, $300 for a tankless water heater and $50 for a tank water heater.

Consumers won’t get the federal money in addition to the companies’ rebates. The utilities chose to use the money to subsidize their programs, stretching those dollars to more consumers.

Unlike the state, the companies accept no reservations for rebates. Their applications require customers to buy and install the equipment and provide documentation before they can receive any money.

In conjunction with the federal program, many appliance manufacturers are offering rebates on Energy Star appliances, said Rob Nicholson, president of East Coast Appliance & Electronics. He plans to run a sale, with discounts of 20 percent on high-efficiency items, at East Coast’s four Hampton Roads stores.

The Home Depot also is taking 10 percent off appliances priced $398 or more to coincide with the federal rebates, said Craig Fishel, a spokesman for the Atlanta-based home-improvement chain.

“There’s going to be some incredible prices for appliances,” Nicholson said. “It’s probably one of the best times you’ll ever see.”

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The state’s cash for appliances program doled out its maximum amount of rebate reservations today in around two hours, and stopped accepting wait-list applications less than an hour later.

The money ran out after the rebate program opened to a huge response this morning, overwhelming the state website set up to handle the crush of consumers seeking bargains. Many customers were unable to get through by phone and the MassSave.com website delivered error messages to some seeking to claim a rebate reservation. An update on the state’s website advised users to access the rebate registration form directly at https://www.maswap1.com, but even that link was sluggish.

State officials has said the website set up specifically for the rebate program, www.MassSave.com, would be able to handle 5,000 visitors at once.

The state is distributing $6 million in federal stimulus money under the program, which gives qualifying customers rebates of between $50 and $250 for energy efficient dishwashers, refrigerators, clothes washer, and freezers.

Retailers report a brisk business today, but say they expect bigger crowds this evening, when more customers have rebates in hand.

“We had three people waiting at the door when we opened, and it’s been steady ever since,” said Tara Patton, store manager of Sears in Cambridge.Sears stores opened at 6 a.m. today for a special Earth Day sale.

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