Senator Flanagan Urges Residents To Take Advantage Of $3.5 Million Household Appliance Rebate Program

Rebates Are Available for High-Efficiency Refrigerators and Clothes Washers

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) is urging all residents who are in the market for refrigerators or clothes washers to take advantage of  a recently announced program.  The “Buy Green, Save Green NYS High-Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program” was announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo with $3.5 million in federal funds available to New York residents for the purchase of high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and clothes washers.

"This rebate program gives residents the funding to make their homes more energy efficient, it makes it possible for New Yorkers to spend less on energy costs, and it provides a needed boost to retailers across the state,” said Governor Cuomo.

“This is a great opportunity for everyone who has been waiting for the right time to buy a new washer or refrigerator to save some money while also helping to protect the environment.  I applaud Governor Cuomo for instituting this program and hope that residents throughout our state take advantage of this cost savings initiative,” stated Senator Flanagan.

According to information released by Governor Cuomo’s office, the program will be in effect on Monday, March 19 through funding provided by the United States Department of Energy’s State Energy Program.  Purchases made prior to March 19 will not be eligible for the rebates and the program will continue until funding runs out.

The program will be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 

“Refrigerators and clothes washers are the appliances where we can make the biggest energy efficiency gains,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Last year's ‘Buy Green, Save Green’ appliance rebate was so successful that all of the available funding was allocated within a few days. We encourage those who are interested in this program to act quickly.”

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 (tiers 2 and 3). 

These rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for completed applications, which will be available on March 19 at www.NYSApplianceRebates.com or by calling 1-877- NY-SMART (877-697-6278).  The site will also contain a list of high-efficiency refrigerators and clothes washers that are eligible for rebates.
   
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.  Residents who would like more information about super-efficient refrigerators and clothes washers should visit www.cee1.org/.