Democratic State Representative Michelle Cook, who represents Torrington in the Connecticut General Assembly, is encouraging residents to consider a newly launched program that could give consumers rebates ranging from $50 to $500 for buying new energy efficient appliances for their homes.
The appliance replacement rebate program, funded through federal stimulus dollars, applies to Energy Star qualified refrigerators, freezers, washers, air conditioners and central air systems that were purchased by residents between the dates of January 25 and April 30, 2010. The appliances must replace an existing, less efficient model.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to not only take advantage of the program but also give families the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars per year from the energy savings these new appliances would bring," Rep. Cook said.
The rebates apply to Energy Star certified clothes washers ($100 rebate), refrigerators ($50 rebate), freezers ($50 rebate), room air conditioners ($50 rebate) and central air conditioning units ($500 rebate).
Rep. Cook said that these new rebates, administered through a partnership between the state Office of Policy and Management and the utility companies, enhance already existing appliance rebate programs offered in the state. The rebates cannot be applied retroactively and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional information and rebate applications can be found at www.ct.gov/opm/ApplianceRebates and from the Connecticut electric utility companies. Applications will also be available in retail stores after February 1. Consumers can also call 1-877-WISE-USE
(1-877-947-3873) for additional information or to request a rebate application be mailed to them.
The U.S. Department of Energy is distributing federal stimulus money nationwide for these appliance rebates. Connecticut qualified for $3.4 million of those funds and will be one of the first states to begin administering rebates under this program.