As part of Obama’s economic stimulus plan (signed February 2009), a nationwide Cash for Appliances program was established. Under this government stimulus program, the state of California was allocated $35,267,000 in funding for an appliance rebate program.
The California Appliance Rebate Program is scheduled to commence on April 22, 2010 (Earth Day). The state’s appliance stimulus rebate program will be administered by the California Energy Commission.
CA Cash for Appliances Program Website – cash4appliances.org
Information about the California appliance rebate program can be found on energy.ca.gov, but consumers should look to cash4appliances.org as the main source of up-to-date information (it went live in early March 2010).
Energy Star® Appliances Eligible for Government Stimulus Incentives
The federal government Energy Star® appliance rebate guidelines gave states the discretion of choosing which Energy Star® appliances to include in their respective Cash for Appliances programs. States were allowed to choose any combination of the following Energy Star® products: boilers, central air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, gas and oil furnaces, air source and geothermal heat pumps, refrigerators, room air conditioners, and water heaters.
Out of the list above, only three kinds of Energy Star® products are eligible for California’s rebates for energy efficient appliances – refrigerators, room (window) air conditioners, and washing machines. California residents may receive $200 for refrigerators, $50 for room air conditioners, and $100 for washing machines.
2010 California Appliance Rebate Program Details
Here are some important facts about California Energy Star® appliance rebates:
- There is an in-state purchase requirement, meaning energy efficient appliances must be purchased from a California retailer.
- Consumers are required to provide proof that old appliances were recycled.
- California rebates for energy efficient appliances are not retroactive, meaning consumers must wait until April 22nd to purchase qualifying Energy Star® appliances.
- In order to qualify, appliances must meet certain CEE (Consortium for Energy Efficiency) tier standards. More information about these efficiency standards can be found on the California Energy Commission website.
For updates directly from the state, consumers can sign up for the California Cash for Appliances mailing list at cash4appliances.org.
Energy Efficient Appliance Rebates & Other Energy Star® Incentives
California residents should keep in mind that state government rebate stimulus incentives aren’t the only reasons to buy new Energy Star® appliances. On top of the rebates, Energy Star® appliances may result in significant long-term energy cost savings, and federal energy tax credits are available for certain household energy efficiency improvements.
Also, certain Energy Star® product manufacturers, like GE, may offer purchase discounts, and the local utility company may even offer additional rebates or other incentives. Looking into all of these incentives may take some time, but could be well worth the time invested.
Resources:
California Cash for Appliances website, Cash4Appliances.org
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy website (U.S. Department of Energy)
FY 2009 EE Rebates Stimulus State Calculations retrieved from energy.gov on August 24, 2009.
Related Cash for Appliances articles:
CA Cash for Appliances Rebate Form & Phone Number
Energy Star® Appliance Rebates & 2010 Tax Credits
Government Appliance Rebates 2010
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
Comments