February 18, 2010

Great Appliance Swap Out Providing Boost to Businesses as more than 42,000 New Yorkers

Cash In on Rebate Program $11 Million Remaining in Rebates for Purchasing High Efficiency Appliances

New York’s appliance retailers, which have been struggling over the past two years in the face of the national recession, are seeing a tremendous boost from “New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out” as more than 42,000 New Yorkers have purchased high efficiency appliances in just the past week to qualify for rebates as high as $555.

As of 4:30 p.m., Thursday, February 18, $11 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. Going into the final weekend of the rebate program, consumers are encouraged to track the availability of funds, which are provided through 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.

“New York’s Great Appliance Swap Out has been a welcome wave of good news for retailers across the state, while also giving consumers an unprecedented opportunity to purchase an environmentally–friendly appliance at a bargain,” said Francis J. Murray, Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA.

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 NY Appliance Swap Out  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 NY Appliance SwapOut

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 Q. Ryan, NYSERDA
518–862–1090 3359; cell: 518–265–0075
cqr@nyserda.ny.gov