The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) recently announced a new $3 million rebate program specifically for the purchase of high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and clothes washers. The program begins Sept. 2, 2011.www.cee1.org for more detail about super-efficient refrigerators and clothes washers.
Rebates of $350 will be available for high-efficiency refrigerators and $250 for high-efficiency clothes washers that meet Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) super-efficiency levels. Super-efficient appliances use significantly less electricity than the federal standard and are at the upper end of ENERGY STAR efficiency levels. Super-efficient clothes washers also use less water than standard washing machines. Visit
According to CEE, the refrigerator is the single biggest power consumer in most households, accounting for about 15 percent of residential electricity usage.
Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for completed applications, which will be available on a special web site to be launched prior to the kickoff date or by calling 1-877- NY-SMART (877-697-6278). Purchases made before September 2, 2011 are not eligible for rebates. The program will continue until funding runs out.
The new rebate program, supported by federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and approved through the U.S. Department of Energy for use by New York State, is called “Buy Green, Save Green NYS High-Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program.” Unlike the “New York State Great Appliance Swap-Out,” which ran from February 2010 until those funds ran out in March 2011, the new program does not provide rebates for freezers or dishwashers and does not provide rebates for recycling.
“We’re focusing on appliances where we can make the biggest energy efficiency gains,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “Our last appliance rebate program helped consumers save money on energy costs and provided a needed boost to retailers across New York, while reducing the environmental impact of older appliances. We are very pleased that New York residents took full advantage of this program, which supported Governor Cuomo’s goals for improving New York State’s environment and decreasing energy usage. We expect the new program to be just as successful.”
During “New York State’s Great Appliance Swap-Out,” which provided more than $16 million in rebates, 165,148 households participated across the state, and 169,866 appliances were replaced with 57,365 ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. ENERGY STAR appliances are up to 30 percent more efficient than standard models on the market.
More than 1,000 retailers across New York State participated, promoting the sale of ENERGY STAR products.
Participating households statewide replaced, purchased and recycled as follows:
- Refrigerators – 80,638 replaced with 57,365 energy-efficiency models; 71 percent of old ones recycled
- Clothes washers – 82,616 replaced with 60,453 energy-efficiency models; 73 percent of old ones recycled
- Freezers – 4,242 replaced with 2,679; 63 percent of old ones recycled
- Dishwashers – 2,370 replaced with 1,142; 48 percent of old ones recycled
Appliance Swap-Out figures by region are available here.
The funding described here was provided from the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. The State Energy Program provides grants to states and directs funding to State Energy Offices from technology programs in DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. States use grants to address their energy priorities and to adopt emerging renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. SEP is distributing $3.1 billion of funding to the states and U.S. territories under the 2009 Recovery Act.
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.
