Rebates Galore for Going Energy Efficient
Salt Lake Tribune
First, there was Cash for Clunkers. Now, there’s Cash for Appliances.
States have been given $300 million in federal stimulus money to create rebate programs that encourage consumers to make energy-efficient appliance upgrades.
Utah’s $2.3 million portion is going toward a Cash for Appliances program that starts Wednesday and will provide rebates of $30 to $300 to those who purchase energy-efficient washers, room air conditioners, water heaters or furnaces. Each state’s program is different, with various rebate amounts covering different items.
Although some other states are offering rebates on purchases of a longer list of appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers, Utah officials say they wanted to hone in on a more select group of power-gobbling appliances.
“We’re focusing on where most of the energy is used in the home,” said Chris Tallackson, incentives coordinator with the Utah State Energy Program.
The state program is the latest in a series of incentives offered by the federal government, as well as cities and utility companies, designed to encourage consumers to make energy-efficient purchases and upgrades.
The federal government already is offering tax credits for certain upgrades, such as windows, enhanced attic insulation and new heating and cooling systems. Unlike deductions, which reduce taxable income, tax credits reduce tax bills on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Questar, Rocky Mountain Power and various cities also offer incentives, similar to the state program, that come in the form of rebates on part of the cost of purchase.
In some instances, consumers can claim more than one incentive for the same item, Tallackson said. For example, you could get a rebate from the state and from Questar if you purchased the right water heater, he said.
But to get the incentives, consumers need to make sure they are meeting the criteria of each program. “Consumers will need to shop carefully” and buy the right products, he said. “Some of the appliances that qualify for the state rebate may not qualify for the federal tax credit or for other programs.”
Consumers also should make sure they fully document purchases and/or installations. Keep all receipts and invoices.
For the state program, Cashforappliancesutah.com provides the information you need to ensure your rebate.
To qualify for a Questar rebate (go to www.thermwise.com for more information), you must be a Questar customer and meet specific criteria when buying and installing an energy-efficient appliance or upgrade.
Only Rocky Mountain Power customers qualify for the utility’s rebates, meaning that residents of Bountiful, Kaysville, Murray, Lehi, Provo, Morgan, Heber and some other cities with municipal power companies are not eligible, spokesman Dave Eskelsen said. Criteria varies on the item, too. If you’re installing attic insulation, for example, Rocky Mountain Power requires that your home have central air conditioning or a heat pump. (Go to homeenergysavings.net for more information.)
Those who meet the criteria of both the Rocky Mountain and Questar programs are allowed to request rebates from each company for the same product, said Questar spokesman Chad Jones.
Jones said the natural gas utility’s rebate program has been “wildly popular.” In all, 229,242 rebates totaling $56.8 million have been paid out since it began in 2007 through the end of last year. That’s an average of about $250 per rebate.
