REBATES FOR EFFICIENT TOYS

Cash for appliances program starts Thursday; The government is offering rebates on energy-saving appliances: $200 for refrigerators, $100 for clothes washers and $50 for air conditioners. Some stores will open early Thursday.
Tiffany Hsu, April 21, 2010 (LA Times)

"…Last summer's federal [cash-for-clunkers ] program fueled vehicle sales and jump-started the sputtering auto industry by enticing customers to trade in their gas guzzlers. Now retailers are hoping for a similar boost from another government program…Starting Thursday, which happens to be Earth Day, consumers will be able to vie for rebates on Energy Star-rated [energy-efficient] appliances: $200 for refrigerators, $100 for clothes washers and $50 for air conditioners. The program applies only to those appliances.

"Coupled with tax credits, buyback recycling programs and other incentives offered by stores, utilities and manufacturers, some savvy buyers could end up spending less than half the sticker price for appliances…[S]tores are bracing for a swarm of shoppers…"

From EPAENERGYSTAR via YouTube

"Howard's Appliances Inc., which has 11 stores throughout the Southland, has stocked up to three times more products than it normally carries and has sent out letters to its customers…The company is planning to pull staff from its corporate offices, warehouse and service center…[and] open three hours early…

"But the rebates are limited. California was allocated $35.3 million for the program, and state officials expect to issue about 300,000 rebates. Other states that offered the [federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act] program ran out of money quickly. Florida's $17.6-million program ran out of funds a day after it was launched, while the $2.9 million set aside in Iowa was depleted within hours…[I]n California, however…[b]uyers may be in less of a rush because the state demands that the products meet higher energy standards than in many other states, making eligible appliances more expensive…"

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"The California Energy Commission is administering the program…The mail-in rebate will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis based on the postmark date on the claim form, which can be downloaded from the energy commission's website Thursday…The website will also feature a countdown that will track the amount of money remaining in the state pot. Sales will officially run through May 23, and buyers must mail in their claim form within 30 days of purchase.

"…[S]avings can be substantial…On top of the $200 rebate, both Southern California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power offer up to $100 to customers who buy an Energy Star-certified refrigerator and then recycle an older one…Edison also has a $50 rebate for energy-efficient air conditioner, and customers can get $35 from Southern California Gas Co. for an environmentally friendly clothes washer…Some Energy Star-certified appliances, such as certain air conditioning units, are also eligible for federal tax credits…"