February 17, 2010

Response to Great Appliance Swap Out Continues Strong with Rebate Claims Totaling More than $5.3 Million, $11.4 Million Remaining in Rebates for Purchasing High Efficiency Appliances

Response to the Great Appliance Swap out continues to be strong, as 39,000 New Yorkers claimed $5.3 million in rebates over the past six days for purchasing high efficiency appliances that will save them money and help the environment.

As of 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 17, $11.4 million remained to be claimed through February 21 in this first-come, first-served program, according to www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com, which provides a real-time counter of available funds. The program is funded by the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA),

Rebates for high-efficiency refrigerators, clothes washers, and freezers will range from $50-$105 for a single unit and up to $555 for the purchase of a three-appliance package of high-efficiency refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers.

Since the program began last Friday, New Yorkers have claimed rebates for more than 36,000 of individual appliances and nearly 3,000 of the three-appliance package. In response to higher than anticipated interest in the three-appliance package, $1 million of funding is being shifted within the available funds to accommodate the demand. As the week progresses, consumers are encouraged to track the availability of funds for the purchases they intend to make online at www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com.

“The response to New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out has been quite impressive,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “It is encouraging to see New Yorkers taking advantage of this program, not only for the benefit of a rebate, but also for the benefit of saving energy and lessening the impact energy can have on the environment."

“New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out could not have come at a more appropriate time for retailers,” said James R. Sherin, President and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State. “The success of this program is stimulating sales in an economy that continues to pose significant challenges to the retail industry, and we are pleased that customers are responding so positively to a program that encourages them to consider the environment when making major purchasing decisions.”

The program requires consumers to replace old appliances, and encourages recycling by offering a larger rebate to consumers who recycle their discarded appliances. Funds are reserved for consumers who have purchased qualified appliances after they have submitted an application either online at www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com or through the toll-free hotline, 1-877- NY-SMART (877-697-6278). However, funds are not paid until after consumers mail in documentation of proof of purchase and, if applicable, recycling.

Once people enter their information online and receive an application number, the information is captured and the rebate is reserved. A confirmation and an application will be sent either by email or through the postal service.

Guidelines for the program can be found at www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com

How You Can Save Money:

Clothes Washers

If your washer is more than 10 years old, replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR^® qualified washer could save you more than $135 each year on your utility bills. Using an ENERGY STAR^® qualified clothes washer means you will use 17 fewer gallons of water every time you wash a load of laundry.

According to www.ENERGYSTAR.gov , the average American family washes almost 400 loads of laundry each year. Families can cut their related energy costs by more than a third - and the water costs by more than half - just by purchasing a clothes washer with the ENERGY STAR^® label. Over the life of your new ENERGY STAR^® qualified washer, you will save enough money in operating costs to pay for the matching dryer. With your water savings, you could fill three backyard swimming pools.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators are the most expensive appliance to operate in your kitchen. An ENERGY STAR^® qualified refrigerator uses 20% less energy than conventional models and saves consumers money on their utility bill. ENERGY STAR^® refrigerators have better insulation, more efficient compressors and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms compared to conventional models.

Replacing a refrigerator from the 1990s with an ENERGY STAR^® model could reduce utility bills by more than $50 each year. Replacing a refrigerator from the 1980s with an ENERGY STAR^® qualified model will save more than $100 each year. Replacing a refrigerator from the 1970s with an ENERGY STAR^® model will save nearly $200 each year. Consumers can use the online ENERGY STAR^® Savings calculator to find out exactly how much money could be saved by replacing a refrigerator: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=refrig.calculator

Freezers

Improvements in insulation and compressors mean today’s freezers consume much less energy than older models. An ENERGY STAR^® qualified freezer uses 10% less energy than a new, non-ENERGY STAR^® qualified model.

The older the freezer, the higher your energy bills. If you purchased your freezer before 1993, it is costing you an extra $35 each year on your utility bills compared to a new ENERGY STAR^® qualified model. If you bought it in the 1980s, it is costing you an extra $70 each year.

Dishwashers

ENERGY STAR^® qualified dishwashers use 30% less energy and 800 fewer gallons of water per year than conventional dishwashers. ENERGY STAR^® dishwashers deliver superior cleaning performance and are built with advanced features and controls. Replace your old dishwasher with a new ENERGY STAR^® qualified model and save energy every time you use it!

If you are using a dishwasher made before 1994 you can save even more. Replacing your old dishwasher with a new ENERGY STAR^® model can save you $40 per year on your utility bills!* ENERGY STAR^®dishwashers use 8 fewer gallons of water per cycle than pre-1994 dishwashers.

Contact:
Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 3359; cell: 518-265-0075
cqr@nyserda.ny.gov