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Rebate rush is on in Ohio, Indiana & Kentucky

Posted on 02. Apr, 2010 by GMS Editor in Featured, Newsflash, ShowOnLatestPanel

Rebate rush for appliances is on
By Mike Boyer • March 23, 2010

The rush is on for Ohioans hoping to snare a rebate on a new major household appliance – in a refund program that doesn’t even start until Friday.

Rules for the new Cash for Fridge rebates aren’t for the slow-to-react. The federal stimulus money is limited, and it’s first-come, first-served for 90,000 consumers who know what they want to buy.

All told, Ohio has been allocated $10.4 million for 89,335 rebates ranging from $100 to $250 on more energy-efficient Energy Star-rated refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, and gas and electric water heaters.

The funds are part of $300 million allocated nationwide by the Department of Energy to encourage sales of energy-saving appliances. Announced last summer in the wake of the government’s successful $3 billion Cash for Clunkers new car trade-in program, the appliance rebate deal is smaller and varies from state to state.

The Appliance Loft, an Oakley retailer, is adding two people to its three-person sales staff and plans to open at 7 a.m. on Friday. “We think it could get pretty crazy,” owner Kevin David said.

To make distribution of limited funds more equitable, the Ohio Department of Development has devised a two-step application process. Residents first make a reservation for one or more of the rebates by going online at www.OhioApplianceRebate.com or calling 1888-686-8896 starting at 8 a.m. Friday. They’ll be issued a reservation number and then have 72 hours to complete the application process with information on their purchase.

Kentucky, which has $4 million for rebates, won’t launch its rebates on 17 appliances until April 22, Earth Day. Indiana, which has $6 million in rebates, began its program Feb. 1, but didn’t include kitchen appliances.

So far, Indiana’s program has allocated about 22 percent of funds for replacement of more energy-efficient furnaces, central air conditioners and heat pumps. Indiana decided not to include kitchen appliances, in part because the overall energy savings from heating and cooling systems is greater, said Eric Burch of the Indiana Office of Energy Development.

Manufacturers are jumping in, too.

David at the Appliance Loft said high-end appliance maker Bosch is offering a $200 rebate on top of the $150 state rebate for its front-load washer that normally retails for $900. Bosch also is offering up to $900 in rebates to customers who bundle refrigerator and dishwasher purchases with cooktops and other appliances.

David is expecting a record sales month. He said he has about 50 sales quotes for customers on file. Many, he said, are using the rebates to buy more expensive appliances than they would have otherwise.

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Tags: appliances, energy efficiency, rebates