Responding to Consumer Demand, More Funds Allocated to Popular N.C. Energy Star Appliances Program

The N.C. Energy Office has reallocated $1 million to the popular North Carolina’s ENERGY STAR Appliance Replacement and Rebate program to cover applications currently on the waiting list as well as new rebate applications for the program that is set to end Dec. 31, 2010.  The injection of the additional dollars will allow consumers to continue to apply for appliance purchase rebates and help them take advantage of the many special offers that appliance retailers are making available during this holiday season.  Consumers can go green and save some greenbacks while also cutting their energy bills by replacing older, less-efficient appliance models.  Appliances must have been purchased June 1 or after to qualify for rebates, which are available until funds are exhausted.

This is the second addition of funds, bringing a total of $2 million the N.C. Energy Office has been able to reallocate from other federal Recovery Act dollars to extend the program during this holiday season.  Consumers may go online or call a special telephone number to start the application process to receive their rebate.  The link to the N.C. Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program can be found at www.energync.net.  Look for the blue Energy Star logo and the words “Appliance Rebate & Replacement Program.”  Consumers without Internet access may call 1-877-379-7323.  The application and the telephone line are currently active.

Currently, there have been 75,000 appliances purchased at a total retail value of about $86 million through the N.C. Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program.

As has been the case in the past, rebates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and continue until the funds are exhausted.  To be eligible for the rebate, consumers must be replacing older appliances with a new ENERGY STAR appliance and must provide information required by the U.S. Department of Energy.  That information will include: name, address, telephone number and electricity provider.  In addition, people seeking rebates will need to provide the date the appliance was purchased, product price, name and location of the retailer, the type of product, the manufacturer and the model number.

The N.C. Energy Office has worked closely with the N.C. Association of Retail Merchants, as well as appliance retailers throughout the state, to develop the N.C. Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program.  The extension of the program will help retailers, who continue to struggle from the impact of the current recession.

Those applying online will receive a confirmation page which should be printed out, signed and mailed to the listed address along with a copy of the sales receipt.  That information must be sent within 15 days of applying for the rebate.  Consumers applying for rebates by telephone will be mailed the confirmation sheet and must return it by the listed date.  Rebates will be sent in the form of a prepaid debit card that can be used toward purchases at stores that accept debit cards.

A chart listing appliances, Energy Star criteria and rebates appears below.

North Carolina Energy Star Appliance Criteria & Rebates