State Rebate Programs Energizing Appliance Sales

This month, many states will be launching their version of the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. Backed by $300 million in funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the programs offer incentives to homeowners who purchase qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances.

What's the Deal?

Each state developed its own rebate program and had the flexibility to select which appliances to include and what rebate amounts to offer. Some are fixed timeframe promotions, like Florida’s which will launch April 16 and is scheduled to last 10 days. Others will continue until the money runs out.

Based on the response in states that launched earlier this year, available funding may not last long, so you should encourage your customers to act fast! Iowa's program, for example, with rebates of $100 to $500, was over in just one day. Many states, like Ohio, are even having customers reserve their rebates online in advance, so they can ensure that the programs are not oversubscribed. 

In most cases, customers will be able to compound their savings by also taking advantage of other available financial incentives, including your utility’s appliance rebate program or state/federal tax credits. For example, Tacoma Power customers who buy a qualifying clothes washer are eligible for both the $100 from the state’s appliance rebate program and the $100 rebate available from the utility.

Are Dealers Ready?

Retailers are gearing up too, with many national chains planning to open their doors at midnight on the promotion’s start date and extend store hours throughout. With several large states, such as Texas, Illinois and Florida starting their programs on the same day (April 16) and being closely followed by California and ten other states on Earth Day (April 22), manufacturers could have a hard time keeping up with demand.

To find out the details of your state’s program and help your customers get in on the savings, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Approved Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program list or your State Energy Office’s website.