- Latest news on Home Star
Here’s a recent update on the legislation that includes the Home Star Program. Its Senate passage after the August break is far from certain.
READ MORE > - Did Cash for Appliances Work?
The Cash for Appliances program has been adopted in all 50 states, but the results vary widely from state-to-state. What’s been going on?
READ MORE > - Cash for Caulkers: The Definitive Guide
The Home Star Program is nearing approval. Here is everything homeowners need to know about the requirements to take full advantage of Home Star.
READ MORE > - Cash for Caulkers update
Here’s an update on Home Star, including the Senate legislation and press release; it has bi-partisan support and there are hopes for passage by July 4th.
READ MORE >
Connecticut Extends Deadline for Appliance Rebate Program
Posted on 01. Apr, 2010 by GMS Editor in Featured, Newsflash, ShowOnLatestPanel
Heard about those appliance rebates?
By Patricia Daddona
Publication: The Day
Published 03/27/2010 12:00 AM/Updated 03/27/2010 04:29 PM
Most Connecticut consumers apparently not aware of deal
Consumer alert: Combining utility, manufacturer, store and state rebates when buying a single Energy Star appliance can save hundreds of dollars.
Really. You read that right.
That’s the word state officials, retailers and utilities are trying to get out to the tight-fisted, recession-weary consumer, who apparently, for the most part, hasn’t heard.
State officials especially have a motive in publicizing their rebate: They still have nearly $3 million in federal stimulus money left to offer, even though some of the savings – $50 rebates for refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners – are relatively small.
So far, only 1,688 consumers have cashed in on $142,100 worth of state rebates since late January, according to data provided through February by staff for Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Coop.
But the state has extended its deadline from April 30 to Sept. 30, so start doing some homework along with your shopping and you, too, can cash in.
Separately, the savings on individual rebates may not be huge, (with the exception of the $500 state rebate for central air conditioners or heat pumps), but they are available now, and even the smaller state rebates, combined with other discounts, can really add up.
At Morgan & White in Groton, for instance, a consumer can save more than $350 on a $999 Bosch front-loading washer. This particular rebate doesn’t begin until April 1st, but here’s a breakdown on the savings available:
• A $100 rebate from the state.
• A $50 rebate from the store.
• A $200 manufacturer’s rebate if the purchase is paid on a Visa credit card.
• Even more savings from your local utility, if you first participate in a home energy audit.
Are there caveats? Naturally.
The consumer must be replacing an inefficient appliance with a new, Energy Star-rated one.
The consumer must wait six to eight weeks for the state’s rebate check.
The consumer is entitled to only one state rebate deal per appliance, but up to three for room air conditioners.
The savings from utilities may vary, depending on whether you have Connecticut Light & Power, United Illuminating or a municipal utility. Also, you have to participate in the home energy audit before buying the new appliance to qualify for the utilities’ rebates.
There’s another perk, however. Through Home Energy Solutions, the audit program for CL&P and UI, those two utilities will double their rebate if you act within 45 days of your audit, said Chris Ehlert, manager of residential energy services for UI, and Ray Wilson, the director of the energy office for the state Office of Policy & Management.
The audit costs $75.
One last detail: the millions of rebate dollars in federal stimulus funding available through the state are technically good through February of 2012, not just through Sept. 30, Wilson said – but that’s only if the money doesn’t run out.
