Live in Alabama? Buy an efficient appliance and earn a rebate

Alabamians can be good stewards of the earth and receive more than energy savings by replacing an old appliance with a new energy-efficient model.  For three weeks starting April 19, buyers of certain ENERGY STAR qualified appliances can apply for cash back from the Alabama Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) has scheduled the rebate program for April 19-May 9, 2010.  Only ENERGY STAR rated appliances purchased during the rebate period will be eligible.

Plans call for rebates of $25 for room air conditioners, $50 for freezers, $75 for dishwashers, $100 for clothes washers, and $150 for refrigerators.  A total of about $4.1 million will be available for the rebates, which are funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

ADECA Director Doni Ingram said the program will help Alabamians save money, give a boost to local retailers, cut energy consumption and conserve millions of gallons of water.

“I encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity when it begins in April,” Ingram said.

ADECA has submitted a final plan to the U.S. Department of Energy detailing the guidelines and process for implementing the program in Alabama.

As the rebate program draws near, the state will establish a web site and distribute mail-in rebate forms for retailers to make available to customers who purchase qualified ENERGY STAR appliances.  Consumers will be able to reserve their rebates online after purchase but rebates will not be processed until purchase validation is received by mail.  If applications exceed the available funds, rebates could be terminated earlier than May 9.

The program is open to Alabamians age 18 and older and will be limited to one rebate per appliance type and no more than two rebates per household.

Reprinted with permission from the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Alabama Currents magazine, a publication of Alabama Municipal Electric Authority.

http://www.amea.com/publications/alabama-currents/