Up until now, the vast majority of the federal stimulus money has only trickled down to local governments, nonprofits, and businesses promising to create training programs and jobs for Americans.
Well, we’re finally starting to see some of that money go directly into the hands of homeowners. Last summer, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the availability of nearly $300 million in funding for state-run rebate programs for consumers who purchase new qualified home appliances.
Each state and territory was required to submit a plan that specified which appliance categories would be included in their rebate program; the level of rebate for each product type; how the rebates would be processed; and their plans for recycling old appliances.
As of Dec. 16, the department has approved 54 state and territory rebate programs. Hawaii and Virginia are expected to be approved by the end of the month. The three states where the program has already launched at the consumer level are: Delaware, Kansas, and Oregon.
The program launch dates for the remaining states will range from the months of January to April. New York State will see among the largest allocations of federal funds for its program, which is set to kick off during Presidents’ Week. (The allocated funds include administrative costs.)
What’s being called New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out will allow the state to issue over 170,000 rebates, totaling $16.8 million beginning the week of Feb. 15 for 30-to-45 days. The New York program will then be relaunched in late April, and again in early June. Essentially, the program will run until the state’s allocated rebate funds run out.
Under the New York State program, homeowners will be able to receive rebates for purchasing eligible appliances individually or in a bundle of three specific appliances. Homeowners will be able to receive rebates when they purchase appliances that meet either of two efficiency standards- Energy Star or Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE).
Homeowners will be eligible to receive larger rebates by purchasing a bundle of three appliance that meet standards issued by the CEE, which are higher than those of Energy Star.
The rebate structure will be implemented as follows:
- Refrigerators: $75 ($105 with documented recycling).
- Clothing washers: $75 ($100 with documented recycling).
- Freezers: $50 ($75 with documented recycling).
- Dishwashers: Rebates will only be available for dishwashers when they are purchased as part of the CEE-rated three-appliance package. These will qualify for a $500 rebate ($550 with documented recycling).
To receive the higher rebates, homeowners will be required to submit with their applications, proof of recycling in any of the following formats:
- A statement from the retailer indicating pick-up and recycling of the appliance will be given to the consumer to include with the rebate application.
- A receipt from a public or private landfill indicating that the appliance was delivered to them.
- A receipt from an appliance turn-in event, indicating the type of appliance turned in with the signature of the person receiving the appliance along with the date and location of the event.
While having all these options, the retailers are expected to be the biggest players in the recycling, according to the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority, which is administering the rebate program.
In addition, the authority says that the program is designed for “New York residents who own their own appliances, and is not intended for use by multifamily building owners, contractors, or builders.”
Supplementary Information:
- CEE Resource Library of Appliance Manufacturers
- Official New York State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program Plan
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