The U.S Department of Energy approved New York's plan to provide consumers with rebates for purchasing certain energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes washers, freezers and dishwashers through a program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). New York's Great Appliance Swap Out will allow the State to issue more than 170,000 rebates totaling $16.8 million during President's Week in February 2010.

Rebates for high-efficiency appliances will range from $50-$105 for a single unit and up to $555 for the purchase of a three-appliance package. In addition, the program, administered by the New York Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), encourages recycling by offering a larger rebate to consumers who recycle their discarded appliances.

"I'm pleased that the US Department of Energy is allowing New York to move forward with New York's Great Appliance Swap Out, a program that will help provide an important boost to the economy early next year while providing an incentive for New Yorkers to reduce their energy consumption," Governor David A. Paterson said. "This program will offer more than 170,000 New Yorkers the chance to save hundreds of dollars a year by replacing their old appliances with new energy-efficient appliances and, by offering additional incentives for people to recycle, will help avoid placing additional burdens on our landfills.

NYSERDA President and CEO Francis J. Murray, Jr. said, "We are pleased to have final approval from the U.S. DOE allowing us to implement a program that will save consumers hundreds of dollars a year by replacing an old appliance with high-efficiency models. The program will not only help consumers save money and reduce the environmental impact of older appliances, but will help us meet the Governor's ambitious goals of improving our environment and decreasing our energy usage in the future."

Under the plan, consumers could receive rebates for purchasing eligible appliances individually or in a bundle. For an individual purchase, appliances will qualify only if they have earned the ENERGY STAR label, meaning that they are up to 30 percent more efficient than standard models on the market. For a bundled purchase, consumers may receive a larger rebate by purchasing three eligible appliances that meet standards issued by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) that are higher than ENERGY STAR standards. Appliances qualifying for a bundled rebate would be a CEE Tier dishwasher, clothes washer, and refrigerator together.

Customers purchasing appliances may receive the following individual rebates:

* Refrigerators: $75 ($105 with documented recycling)

* Clothes washers: $75 ($100 with documented recycling)

* Freezers: $50 ($75 with documented recycling)

* Dishwashers: Rebates are only available for dishwashers when they are purchased as part of a three-appliance package of CEE-rated appliances. These will qualify for a $500 rebate ($550 with documented recycling).

Many retailers are expected to offer free recycling to make it easier for the customer to receive the maximum rebate, and NYSERDA is coordinating efforts with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York City Department of Sanitation so consumers can also recycle their appliances at local landfills, waste stations and recycling centers.

Guidelines for the program:

* Consumers must be New York State residents to be eligible for the proposed rebate program.

* Appliances can be purchased at any retail location and must meet specified ENERGY STAR or CEE standards.

* The program is open only to individuals purchasing appliances for their own use.

* To qualify for the rebates, consumers must attest in writing that the purchased appliances are replacing existing appliances.

* Adequate documentation of recycling must be included to receive the maximum rebate amount and the rebate cannot be combined with other appliance rebate programs from utilities or municipalities. The rebate can, however, be combined with other manufacturer rebates or retail promotions.

Rebate forms and instructions are available at this web site or through NYSERDA's hotline (1-877-NY-SMART).