ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebates

Overview

Wondering how you can make your home more energy efficient? Take advantages of an exciting new ENERGY STAR appliance rebate program! Not only will replacing outdated appliances vamp up your home, but also they will significantly reduce your energy bills.

ENERGY STAR Appliance Rebate Program

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, $300 million dollars has been distributed to states and territories for a nationwide rebate program. And of that $300 million pie, there might be a sliver of cash available for you. The rebates, which vary by state, are available to homeowners who replace older appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. For example, Vermont is offering up to $800 in combined rebates for high-efficiency refrigerators, clothes washers, water heaters, furnaces and boilers.

According to the ENERGY STAR website, 70 percent of the energy consumed in homes is used to power appliances. In order to become a more energy-efficient nation, the federal government has provided states and territories with funds proportional to their populations to create statewide rebate programs. Each state is responsible for deciding when to begin its program and which appliances it will offer rebates for.

The following are some of the appliances you might be eligible for:

Boilers
Central air conditioners
Clothes washers
Dishwashers
Freezers
Furnaces (oil and gas)
Heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
Refrigerators
Room air conditioners
Water heaters

The programs for New Jersey, Illinois, Vermont, Wisconsin and Connecticut began in January 2010. Most states will start their programs in 2010, and as the programs go live, we will add them to the EnergySavvy energy rebate directory.

Some of the rebates are instant, others are mail-in and a few are only available to low-income residents. Most programs are expected to last until funds run out, and all of the rebates can be combined with other incentives, like the federal efficiency tax credit, to help pay for the remaining cost of qualifying upgrades.

Here is what replacing appliances could do for your energy bills, according to ENERGY STAR:

Clothes Washers: Replacing a clothes washer that is more than 10 years old with an ENERGY STAR clothes washer is expected to save you $135/year.
Water Heaters: Installing a heat pump water heater could save you nearly $300/year.
Programmable Thermostats: By creating a heating schedule for your home, which is automatically implemented by a programmable thermostat, you can save $180/year.
Refrigerators: Replacing a 20-year-old refrigerator could save you $50/year.

What's the deal in my state?

To find out more about what rebates will be available in your state this year, visit this Department of Energy site, and click on your state on the U.S. map. And as each state's rebate program goes into effect, we'll update our directory of energy tax credits and rebates so you can see all the incentives that are available to you in your area.

Last Updated: January 2010