- Get U.S. Energy Star® Home Appliance Rebates - jppi with MorgueFile
Until recent news of an upcoming government appliance rebate program (dubbed “Cash for Appliances”), many Americans had heard of Energy Star® appliances, but didn’t really know much about them other than they cost more than average appliances.
Energy Star® Appliance Cash Rebates
In this article, learn a little bit about the meaning behind an Energy Star® label and which energy efficient appliances might garner government stimulus incentives in the coming months. Also, learn which appliances will be included in the Michigan state government incentive program.
Government Stimulus Incentives Demystified – What is Energy Star®?
Unbeknownst to some, Energy Star® is not a company; it’s a federal government label indicating energy efficiency. The Energy Star® program is a joint venture between the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy (DOE); it certifies products as energy efficient as a service to American consumers.
U.S. Department of Energy Recommended List of Qualifying Energy Star® Home Appliances
In the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program funding opportunity announcement, the Department of Energy provided guidelines for states to consider as they craft incentive programs. Included in that guidance is a list of suggested appliances. If states follow these guidelines, consumers should expect to see the following categories of appliances covered by state appliance rebate programs:
- Boilers
- Central air conditioners
- Clothes washers
- Dishwashers
- Freezers
- Furnaces (gas and oil)
- Heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
- Refrigerators
- Room air conditioners
- Water heaters
Expect Customized State Government Appliance Rebate Programs
According to the Department of Energy, states may be able to add other appliances to the list above, but a convincing case must be made for each, and the DOE must approve the decision.
State Government Incentives – Example List of Eligible Appliances
The state of Michigan posted its initial State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program application, dated August 13, 2009, on the official state website, michigan.gov. In this application, the state indicated which appliances would be eligible for the Michigan State Appliance Rebate Program.
Out of the Department of Energy list above, Michigan chose to include the following appliances:
- Dishwashers – Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) Tier 2 dishwashers
- Energy Star® Oil Furnaces
- Propane Furnaces – Energy Star® Plus (95%) propane furnaces
- Refrigerators – CEE Tier 3 refrigerators
Energy Star® Home Appliance Rebates – Michigan Excludes Freezers, Air Conditioners, Washers
The state of Michigan also requested the addition of Energy Star® propane and solar water heaters. Conspicuously missing from this list are these recommended appliances: freezers, heat pumps, room and central air conditioners, boilers, and clothes washers.
New State Energy Star® Programs – Review Stimulus Plans, Learn How to Qualify for Cash Rebates
Based on the example above, it appears Americans should carefully review their state’s particular plan before making an Energy Star® appliance purchase in hopes of receiving a cash rebate. Michigan only included approximately half of the recommended appliances, and other states may do the same. To learn the top ten recipients of federal funding for these government stimulus rebates, see the article United States Government Appliance Rebates.
Related articles:
Cash for Appliances – U.S. Government Rebates
Cash for Refrigerators – U.S. Stimulus Program
Resources:
energystar.gov
Secretary Chu Announces Nearly $300 Million Rebate Program to Encourage Purchases of Energy Efficient Appliances retrieved from energy.gov on August 24, 2009.
State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program Funding Opportunity Announcement retrieved from energy.gov on August 25, 2009.
State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program – State of Michigan Initial Application. Retrieved from michigan.gov on September 1, 2009.
Lena Gott - Lena Gott is a Certified Public Accountant who gives practical financial advice to her readers.
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