North Carolina has been slow in the roll out of the state Cash for Appliances program which was announced by the United States Department of Energy in the fall of 2009.
Cash for Appliances Basics
Each state was allotted a specific amount of funding for Cash for Appliances based on population with North Carolina being granted $8,849,000 to develop and put into place a plan to offer incentives to residents to replace old appliances with Energy Star appliances.
Unlike the Cash for Clunkers (car rebate program), trade-ins are not required. So, a family without a dishwasher could purchase dishwasher under the Cash for Appliances program without having to produce an old dishwasher.
North Carolina is requiring retailers to recycle appliances turned in by consumers in accordance with current state laws for consumers who do want to get rid of old appliances.
Limited Information on the NC Clunker Appliance Program
Information about the North Carolina Cash for Appliances program has been limited. This could be, in part, because Governor Beverly Perdue signed legislation in August of 2009 to shift the State Energy Office over to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. So, offices have been in transition.
Both North Carolina state government web sites lack search functions and do not feature home page information on the appliance rebate programs. The state Energy Office does list a contact phone number: 919-733-2230.
Spot checks with a few big box appliance retailers and private companies selling qualifying appliances in NC resulted in minimal information concerning the upcoming rebate programs.
North Carolina Cash for Appliances Plan
North Carolina has filed Cash for Appliances plans with the United States Department of Energy.
Residents of North Carolina will be eligible for instant rebates (15%) on qualifying refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and dishwashers from April 22-25, 2010 over Earth Day weekend. Offering a percentage versus a flat refund amount will favor more affluent residents who can afford higher end units.
Assuming that funds are still available after the weekend NC Cash for Appliances program, a second phase will be offered. The current plan is to offer $200 rebates for water heaters and $300 rebates for central air conditioning, furnaces (gas), and heat pumps (air source). The heating/cooling rebates are expected to be offered in June.
Consumers will be required to fill out the paperwork and file for the rebates on the second phase appliances. Details are not currently available on how the state will track the reimbursements to ensure that funds will be available to cover all residents who make purchases.
Plan Ahead if You Hope to Cash in on Cash for Appliances - NC
Details vary state by state with Cash for Appliances, and it is important to research if planning to take advantage of the rebates. North Carolina is set for the Earth Day instant rebates which will be handled by retailers; however, information on the second phase of the plan related to heating and cooling units is scant. If funds are available, the second phase program will be handled directly by NC consumers.
Remember also that some investments under the Cash for Appliances program will also qualify for tax breaks for 2010. It is worthwhile to double check and get both credits if possible.
Cyndi Allison - Southern born and fed, Cyndi Allison is a college lecturer and newspaper advisor as well as being a freelance writer. She writes on ...
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