Storm Relief Appliance Update

Funding is still available through New York State’s Storm Relief Appliance Rebate Program, according to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). In addition, if the FEMA or insurance award does not cover the entire cost of the replacement of eligible appliances or equipment, residents can apply for the NYSERDA rebate, as long as the two payments together do not exceed the cost of the replacement.

The rebate program is for residents impacted by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee and includes ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, furnaces, boilers, gas hot water heaters, and heat pump water heaters as well as higher efficiency clothes dryers with moisture sensors and electric hot water heaters. As of 7:30 a.m. today, rebates have been allocated for 808 refrigerators, 1,645 clothes washers, 1,456 clothes dryers, 1,307 dehumidifiers, 697 hot water heaters (gas, electric and heat pump), 441 furnaces, 346 boilers.

The $8 million rebate program started on Monday, September 19, and more than $4.0 million is still available. All rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for completed applications. Applications are available at www.NYSApplianceRebates.com or by calling 1-877-NY-SMART (877-697-6278). The rebate program will continue until funding runs out.

The Storm Relief Appliance Rebate Program was created to meet unmet financial needs for the most critical appliances or equipment damaged during the recent storms. ENERGY STAR or higher efficiency appliances and equipment may cost more to purchase but will provide energy savings for the life of the appliance.

Residents statewide in affected areas are eligible and must affirm that they have been impacted by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee. For residents affected by Hurricane Irene, rebates on purchases of approved appliances and equipment will be retroactive to Aug. 29, 2011, and for residents affected by Tropical Storm Lee, rebates will be retroactive to Sept. 9, 2011.

Purchases of appliances and equipment, with the exception of dehumidifiers, must be for replacement purposes only. Audits to verify insurance claims and/or FEMA assistance may be conducted.

Funding for the Storm Relief Appliance Rebate is provided from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP). 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 American Recovery and Reinvestment 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.