WASHINGTON–The U.S. Department of Energy has released program guidelines and funding for the Energy Efficient Appliance Consumer Rebate Program.
Funded at $300 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the program is geared toward stimulating demand for energy-efficient home appliances. It will provide consumers with savings on the initial purchase cost and long-term utility costs of new appliances, and will benefit the environment through a decrease in energy consumption, according to a statement from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. The Energy Department has also permitted states to respond to the program with individual state plans by Aug. 15, after which the department will allocate funding to each state to administer and provide “direct and immediate rebates” to consumers who purchase Energy Star-certified appliances, AHAM said.
Joseph McGuire, AHAM’s president, said replacing older appliances with Energy Star appliances “is the most practical and effective step a homeowner can take to save energy and money on utility bills.”