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California’s cash for appliances to start April 22

Posted on 15. Mar, 2010 by GMS Editor in Featured, Newsflash, ShowOnLatestPanel

Kathleen Pender
Thursday, March 11, 2010

California has pushed back the start of its cash for appliances program to April 22, but based on what happened in some other states, consumers who want to get a rebate on a new energy-efficient washer, refrigerator or room air conditioner should be ready to pounce.

The official start date was pushed back to April 22 (Earth Day) to give retailers and consumers more time to understand and prepare for the program, says Amy Morgan, a commission spokeswoman.

The commission has made a few other changes to the program.

It has increased the rebate on qualifying refrigerators to $200 from $75.

Also, the new appliance can now replace a working or nonworking appliance of the same type. Originally, the new appliance had to replace a working appliance. The old appliance – working or not – still must be recycled according to program rules.

The commission launched a Web site this week, www.cash4appliances.org, that will have all the information consumers need, including a list of qualifying appliances, participating dealers and recyclers and rebate-application instructions.

California is offering up to $50 on room air conditioners that are rated Energy Star or higher. The rebate would be reduced if it, combined with utility rebates, exceeded the purchase price. “A person cannot make money on the purchase,” Morgan says.

The state is offering rebates of $200 on refrigerators and $100 on clothes washers that meet a higher energy efficiency standard known as CEE Tier 2.

Rebates will be paid first-come-first-served, based on the postmark of the mail-in rebate. The program will run through May 23 or until the $35 million is gone.

To see what other states are doing, go to energysavers.gov/financial/70022.html.

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Tags: appliances, energy efficiency, rebates, stimulus