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Great Appliance Swap Out under way
Posted on 19. Feb, 2010 by GMS Editor in Featured, Newsflash, ShowOnLatestPanel
By Samantha Maziarz Christmann
News Business Reporter
Updated: February 12, 2010, 12:07 pm
Consumers can get rebates up to $550 on Energy Star purchases
The Great Appliance Swap Out hits New York today, and dealers met it head on with extra early hours and all hands on deck.
As part of the federal stimulus package, consumers who buy qualifying Energy Star-certified home appliances starting today will receive rebates of up to $550. Rebate amounts rise if consumers prove their old appliances have been recycled.
The program, administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, runs until Feb. 21 or whenever the state’s allotted $16.44 million is gone.
“The challenge is that the money could run out very fast,” said Dean Rallo, president of Rosa’s Home Stores. “That money is for all of New York State, including New York City and Long Island.”
Those buying qualifying Energy Star appliances can apply for a rebate of $75 on refrigerators ($105 if recycled), $50 on freezers ($75 if recycled) and $75 on washing machines ($100 if recycled). Dishwashers are eligible as part of a refrigerator, clothes washer and dishwasher package, with a total rebate of $500 (or $550 if recycled). Clothes dryers aren’t eligible, as none are Energy Star certified.
Although most of the certified appliances are more expensive than others, companies argue that over time, energy savings will more than compensate for the higher price.
At the maximum, the rebate money would cover only an average of 227,835 single appliance credits and 2,350 credits for those buying a three-appliance combo. There are roughly 276,000 people in Buffalo alone.
There is additional paperwork to document that consumers are properly recycling the appliances the new purchases will replace. Several dealers already have policies in place to haul away and recycle old appliances at the time of new delivery. In that case, dealers will provide a certificate and code number for documentation. But unlike the automotive cash for clunkers program, consumers — not dealers — are responsible to make sure rebates are properly filed and claimed.
“Any time you’re dealing with a rebate, it gets tricky. But when you put “New York State’ in front of it, people get really scared,” said Marty Gregoire, customer relations manager at Orville’s. “Our job is to make sure as many people in Western New York get their share of the stimulus money as possible. We want to make the process easier for everyone.”
To further confuse things, older models may bear the Energy Star label, but not meet the efficiency qualifications for the rebate. To be sure the appliance you’re planning on purchasing qualifies, check its model number against the list of eligible models online. Go to www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com, click on “Option one” for single appliance purchases or on “Option two” for the three- appliance bundle, then click “View” under “Qualifying Models” in the chart near the top of the page.
