New York Offers New Rebates for Energy-Efficient Appliances Beginning Today
New York residents are getting an extra incentive to buy energy-efficiency appliances that could help them save money on monthly electric bills.
As part of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) Buy Green, Save Green NYS High-Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program, $3 million has been set aside for residential rebates on energy-efficient refrigerators and clothes washers that will be available to shoppers beginning today, September 2.
The program is similar to last year’s New York State Great Appliance Swap-Out, but it excludes dishwashers and freezers and doesn’t provide rebates for recycling.
Under the program, New York residents qualify for $350 rebates on high-efficiency refrigerators and $250 on high-efficiency washing machines that are ENERGY STAR’ certified and meet super-efficiency levels determined by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). Super-efficiency appliances use significantly less electricity than the levels set by federal standards and represent the highest tier of ENERGY STAR efficiency levels.
Residents looking to maximize their savings will be able to double-dip by combining rebates from the state program with rebates from appliance manufacturers.
According to Marty Gregoire, customer relations manager at Orville’s Home Appliances in Lancaster, qualifying washing machines use 10 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared with 45 gallons per load for non-efficient models, and can save up to $135 a year in combined water and electricity savings.
Gregoire also said that qualifying refrigerators are at least 20 percent more efficient than standard models, which could make for considerable savings off monthly electric bills. According to CEE, refrigerators are a major source of electricity consumption in most households, making up about 15 percent of all residential electricity usage.
The Buy Green, Save Green program is expected to be just as successful as the New York State Great Appliance Swap-Out, said Francis Murray Jr., NYSERDA president, and CEO. During the swap-out, 165,148 households took advantage of the program before the $16 million pool of rebate funds had run dry. In all, 169,866 appliances were replaced with 57,635 ENERGY STAR–certified appliances, which are 30 percent more efficient than standard models.
Gregoire said that New York residents should act quickly to take advantage of the Buy Green, Save Green program, as the $3 million worth of rebates set aside for the program won’t last long.
Rebates for the Buy Green, Save Green program will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available on a special website, www.nysappliancerebates.com. New Yorkers can also get applications, as well as more information about the Buy Green, Save Green program, by calling (877) 697-6278.
For more information about super-efficient refrigerators and clothes washers, visit www.cee1.org.
If you respond to the poll, let us know in the comments why you answered one way or the other.
Sources
NYSERDA Announces New $3 Million Residential Appliance Rebate Program to Begin Sept. 2, 2011, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority press release, Aug. 24, 2011.
Energy-Efficient Refrigerators, Washers Eligible for New Rebates, The Buffalo News, Aug. 25, 2011.
