Cash for Clunkers Appliances; $300 Million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program
*UPDATE: Official government websites for rebates and incentive programs.
The $300 million appliance-rebate program is here and it is going to be a madhouse. On December 24, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy approved a rebate plan that allows replacement of old appliances with those that are ENERGY STAR® qualified. This will allow American families to save considerable amounts on utility bills.
Many states will begin in the next few months and some have already begun. Each state is only allotted a certain amount of money so it’s vital to have a game plan if you don’t want to miss out.
Check your state below for the start date and PLAN AHEAD!
- The best deals will be gone within the first few days of the program.
- Limited Supply; The appliance industry may not be able to meet the demand of the entire U.S.
- Certain states may run out of funds within a couple of weeks.
Companies such as Best Buy will be offering special promotions and additional rebates just for this program.
Each state has chosen which types of appliances will qualify as well as the amounts of the rebates which average from $50 to $250. Although in Kansas, residents could qualify for an $800 rebate.
For Example, California has chosen three residential appliance categories to be eligible for rebates:
- Washing Machines – Proposed Rebate $100
- Refrigerators – Proposed Rebate $75
- Air Conditioners – Proposed Rebate $50
These rebates can be combined with existing rebates offered by California’s utilities or appliance manufacturers.
Check with your states additional rebate and assistance programs for even further savings.
It’s unclear if multiple rebates can be used by one household, however each state is constantly updating their guidelines so check for changes.
Also check out President Obama’s Cash for Caulkers program which could mean $12,000 for each home.
The plan is designed to help homeowners pay for energy improvements which can result in a savings of up to 20% on energy bills.
Update
*Beware of sites posing as Cash for Clunkers sites. Many scams and potential virus links are sure to be prevalent.
List of official Cash for Clunkers Appliances websites
Official Cash for Clunkers Appliances website www.energysavers.gov/rebates.
- Program specifics and rebate forms
Official government website for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
- Information on all spending activities associated with the Recovery Act
- Breaks down each programs funds and details state by state
- Report fraud, waste, and abuse of any programs
Us Department of Energy (DOE) State Energy Program
- State by state details
- Phone, e-mail, and street address of the director of each states energy office and program manager for the State Energy Program in that office
Official government website for special offers and rebates from ENERGY ST AR® Partners
- sales tax exemptions or credits
- rebates on qualified products
- recycling incentives for the proper disposal of old products
Database of State Incentives for Renewables And Efficiency (DSIRE)
- Check for additional state government and utility companies rebates on energy-efficient models
- These credits can be combined with the rebates
- Energy efficient mortgages
- home improvement loans
- Energy efficient refinancing
Projected Start Dates
Alabama, April 2010
Alaska, February 2010
Arizona, March 2010
Arkansas, March 2010
California, April 22, 2010
Colorado, March 2010
Connecticut, January 2010
Delaware, December 2009
District of Columbia, April 2010
Florida, April 2010
Georgia, February 2010
Hawaii, April 2010
Idaho, February 2010
Illinois, January 2010 and April 2010
Indiana, February 2010
Iowa, March 2010
Kansas, December 2009
Kentucky, March 2010
Louisiana, February 2010
Maine, February 2010
Maryland, March 2010
Massachusetts, March 2010
Michigan, Late spring 2010
Minnesota, March 2010
Mississippi, April 2010
Missouri, April 2010
Montana, April 2010
Nebraska, April 2010
Nevada, April 2010
New Hampshire, March 2010
New Jersey, January 2010 and April 2010
New Mexico, April 2010
New York, February 2010
North Carolina, April 2010 and June 2010
North Dakota, April 2010
Ohio, March 2010
Oklahoma, March 2010
Oregon, December 2009
Pennsylvania, April 2010
Rhode Island, March 2010
South Carolina, March 2010
South Dakota, March 2010
Tennessee, April 2010
Texas, April 2010
Utah, February 2010
Vermont, January 2010 and March 2010
Virginia, April 2010
Washington, April 2010
West Virginia, April 2010
Wisconsin, January 2010
American Samoa, February 2010
Guam, April 2010
Northern Marianas Island, March 2010
Puerto Rico, January 2010
U.S. Virgin Islands, February 2010
Tags: appliance rebate, cash for appliances, cash for caulkers, cash for clunkers, cash for clunkers appliances, energy rebate, free money, government rebate program, home improvement rebate, obama cash for caulkers, save money
Great post. I have two old refrigerators that I wouldn’t mind replacing. Can I trade both in or am I only allowed one?
If you were planning on trading in one of each type of clunker, such as one refrigerator and one washing machine, then there is no problem. In the case of multiple rebates in the same category, the rules are not clear. Each state makes their own guidelines so it will vary depending on where you live.
So far there doesn’t seem to be any rule against anyone cashing in multiple rebates. However, this will probably change if it hasn’t already. The potential for fraud is rather wide open if there are no limits, and people ALWAYS find ways to cheat the system. So most likely there will be rules to prevent scams.
Each state has a consumer hot line that you can call for questions and details and hopefully answers. You can find the phone numbers at the US Department of Energy site. It has direct links for each state as well. Also, many state sites have a list you can sign up for to be notified of any changes.
I’m wondering how the appliance industry is going to be able to meet the demand. I think this is going to be more popular than the cars for clunkers program because buying a car is one thing but so many people have old appliances. I’m sure the stores are looking forward to all the sale this will generate. Not a bad time for a handyman.
I’m surprised no one is really talking about this. I would think a topic like this would create alot of buzz. Are they trying to keep it quiet? well I’m very glad I stumbled upon this. I was just about to buy a new washer and dryer and I would of really regretted it for not waiting. I tweeted this to one of my friends that remodeling her kitchen soon too and she didn’t know anything about it. good info
I have a feeling this is going to be a nightmare to get your money. The workers on the retail end are not equipped to handle the paper work just like it was a mess with the last cash for clunkers program. I’d be afraid of not ever seeing a rebate! Is it an instant rebate or do you have to mail it in? I think customer service is going to be a major problem.
I too am interested in trading in more than one clunker. We have two washers that are very old that long need to be retired. We have a large family so I am wondering if that makes any difference. Just out of curiousity what do you mean by scam? I don’t remember hearing anything about problems with the cash for clunkers when they did it for the cars.
I wish I lived in Kansas
I wonder what the next program will be called, cash for cookers? something just isn’t right with a program called cash for caulkers. just dont want to explain it to my son
instant rebate please!
Pray for Haiti
How much do you have to spend to get the $12,000 cash for caulkers?
@ Christopher I have to agree. The cash for clunkers car rebate was extremely successful. 250,000 cars were sold in the first four days alone. Several appliance companies have been preparing for this program since last spring but no one can predict if there will be enough stock to go around. That’s why it’s better to plan early, otherwise choices will be limited.
Handymen, plumbers, retailers, and wholesalers will definitely be very busy.
@ Kristen The government has planned along with retailers to run marketing campaigns to get the word out. So it should be everywhere soon.
@ Stephen Unlike the cash for clunkers for cars program, you will be responsible for filling out the form and sending it in. Some stores will also be offering instant rebates and additional rebates from manufacturers. Hopefully, stores will plan for the chaos. You could also buy online if that option is allowed by your state.
@ Larry Some states are requiring or offering additional rebates for recycling the old appliance. People could go to junk dealers or second hand stores such as Good Will to purchase old appliances to trade in. Also, abuse of the program could be by retailers or wholesalers who have an endless supply of old appliances that they could turn in. Then there’s always fake invoicing to worry about. I’m not sure if there were any problems with the cash for clunkers program, but cars have a VIN that would make it easy to track activity as well as DMV documentation. Appliances may have a serial number, but there isn’t a system that tracks them the way a VIN can.
No doubt, the government has made guidelines to prevent these kinds of scams, but loop holes aren’t found until after the fact. They may just have a maximum rebate amount that each family can qualify for. That way you can choose whatever combination you want.
@ Penny Lol, yes it is a significant difference. It has to do with the population of each state. They also had a minimum that each state would get regardless of population size.
@ Rosie It is a funny name, but it’s memorable. They haven’t finalized the plan yet, so it may change.
@ Kate Some stores such as Best Buy and Sears will be offering instant rebates on some products. Most rebates will have to be mailed in though.
Yes, we all need to keep Haiti in our prayers.
@ Pat The details for cash for caulkers haven’t been released yet. It sounds as if it will be a 50% rebate, but we will have to wait and see. That would mean, to be eligible for $12K you would have to spend $24K in energy efficient upgrades.
Great article! This a great time to take advantage of savings in this rough economy=)
I like how the government is helping us out. Any idea how long the promotion will run for?
@ Reggie Cash for Clunkers Appliances is scheduled to run until 2012. However, as with the Cash for Clunkers Cars program, the end will be when the funds run out.