[February 21, 2010] Appliance program ready to rebate Tweet Feb 21, 2010 (The Hawk Eye - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Do you have a refrigerator that makes ungodly noises and doesn't keep the food cold? Or maybe you have a clothes washer that bucks like a mechanical bull, while not cleaning your laundry. Help is on the way for approximately 9,000 Iowans on March 1 in the form of the Iowa Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program. The program offers Iowans a chance to get mail-in rebates on the purchase of Energy Star-qualified models of refrigerators, clothes washers and dishwashers, while replacing older, inefficient appliances. The rebates can range from $200 to $500, depending on the appliance and model. Hot water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners also show up on the rebate list. Iowa's allocation from the Federal economic stimulus, the Iowa Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program, is $2,775,150. On March 1 a mad dash could take place to the Web site; www.energy.iowa.gov, where Iowans can sign up for a rebate coupon. Various links on the site should answer all the questions Iowans have about the program. Joe Burns, co-owner of Burns and Sons Direct Appliances located at 709 Jefferson St. in Burlington, already has seen a stir of interest from customers. "The word is getting out," Burns said, as a recent piece on ABC's "Good Morning America" seemed to trigger the interest of area consumers. Burns and Sons Direct Appliances sells a wide variety of dishwashers, refrigerators and clothes washers, including Maytag, Amana, Whirl-pool, Frigidaire, Kitchen Aid and Electrolux. Burns estimates that 90 percent of his dishwashers are Energy Star models, 80 to 90 percent of his front-end washers qualify, and 60 to 70 percent of his refrigerators meet the energy-efficiency guidelines. He pointed out that an energy-efficient refrigerator can save a consumer $120 a year on their electric bill. A clothes washer could save a buyer $150 a year. An Iowan that gets a coupon from the Web site has 30 days to use it from the day they sign up. However, the funds could be used up in a couple weeks, so purchases could be hot and heavy from the get-go on March 1. Purchases before that date will not qualify, and neither will Internet orders. Eligibility factors include, being an Iowa resident with a valid Iowa address, purchase must be made at an Iowa retail location, and there are no income restrictions for rebates. Coupons and information are available on the Web site. A toll free number will be available to consumers, but it won't be turned on until 8 a.m. on March 1. Burns said the Iowa Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program should add sales to the business. Burns and Sons Direct Appliances, in Burlington for seven years, had a good 2009. He expects this year to get off to a good start with sales from the program and several customers already spending tax rebates. Appliance dealers in Iowa could see a hornet's nest of activity come March 1. To see more of The Hawk Eye or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thehawkeye.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]