Cash For Appliances Rebate Program
Appliance companies like Whirlpool, Electrolux and GE are all experiencing a severe slump in sales due to the weak home construction market. They are hoping a federal rebate program, much like "Cash for Clunkers," could change all that. And that means it's a golden opportunity for consumers.
Is your clothes dryer on its last spin cycle? There may never be a better time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. Officials say $300 million of federal stimulus money has been set aside for appliance rebates that will cover refrigerators, dishwashers and washers and dryers. Bob Markovich is with "Consumer Reports" magazine.
"You can get up to $250 rebate from your state per appliance," he said. "So let's say you get $100 rebate. You're looking at additional utilities rebates, you're looking at sometimes additional state rebates. And you're also looking at big discounts, because appliance sales are something like 25 percent off what they were during the housing peak."
To qualify, you must buy an Energy Star appliance. Fortunately, more than 50 percent of all appliances have an Energy Star rating, so you will have a big selection. In addition to the rebate, the new refrigerators or dishwasher could save you up to $100 a year in energy expenses. The program will launch in November, with government funds available starting November 30. With the Cash for Clunkers program, car dealers were overwhelmed by the response, selling close to 700,000 vehicles in just one month. Sales associates like Richard Conran at Sears are expecting a boost.
Source: 7Online.com
For most utilities, electricity demand peaks between 3 pm and 8 pm, when people come home from work, cook dinner, wash clothes, run the dishwasher and flick


