- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Cash for appliances rebates ending soon
The popular rebate program administered by the California Energy Commission will close in
phases, beginning with the home appliances, which ends Dec. 6, 2010.
Applications for water heaters and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be postmarked by Dec. 31, 2010.
Since April, more than 160,000 applications have been received with approximately $4.5 million still available. Consumers can choose from a variety of eligible models, which can be viewed at
www.cash4appliances.org/products/ .
New and corrected applications must be postmarked by Dec. 6, 2010, for consumers who purchase home appliances including, refrigerators, clothes washers, room air conditions, freezers, and dishwashers. Rebates are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis for complete applications with the required supporting documents.
With less than $4.5 million remaining in the program, this gives consumer's additional time to take advantage of the sales offered by retailers during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year.
The California Energy Commission has partnered with more than 80 Platinum Retail Partners and more than 50 Official Partners to assist consumers with appliance purchases, recycling their old appliances and completing their application.
A list of partners is available at www.cash4appliances.org/partners/list.html .
Consumers will need to work with a licensed California contractor for the installations of water heaters and heating and cooling units.
Consumers should check with PG&E and the State of California Contractor's State License Board (CSLB) for lists of contractors in their area and How to Hire a Contractor:
www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/HireAContractor/ .
Consumers are eligible for a rebate when they purchase a qualified high energy efficient appliance, water heater, or heating and cooling units, properly recycle their old appliance or system, and submit a complete application package. Instructions on how to complete an application for the California Cash for Appliances rebate is available at www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/Rebate-Form.pdf .
A consumer will need to enter their unique tracking number or their last name, phone number, and type of appliance that was purchased. Consumers who need to correct their rebate application can contact their retailer or contractor, call the toll-free number at 1-888-390-4034, or e-mail the Energy Commission at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Eligible energy efficient home appliances and rebate amounts available are: refrigerators $200, clothes washers $100, dishwashers $100, freezers $50, and room air conditioners up to $50. Rebates for eligible water heaters are $300-$750, and eligible HVAC systems qualify for $500 to $1000.
Consumer tips to speed rebate processing:
1. Read the steps. Read the steps on rebate application and include all of the required supporting documentation.
2. Fill out form completely and correctly. Do not leave any items blank on the application. Check the appropriate boxes and sign the application. For HVAC and Water Heaters a California licensed contractor will assist the consumer with the application.
3. Be consistent. Make sure that the applicant's first and last name matches the name on the certificate of recycling and the name on the utility bill. Only one first and last name is required on the application. The Certificate of Recycling and Utility Bill are only required for Clothes Washers, Refrigerators, Room Air Conditioners, Freezers, and Dishwashers. HVAC and Water Heater applications must list
the Certified Appliance Recyclers (CAR) name and CAR number.
4. Recycle. Consumers must recycle their old appliance to receive a rebate. The Certificate of Recycling document must be included with the application. If a consumer is participating in their utility rebate program, the utility will provide the consumer with the required Cash for Appliances Certificate of Recycling. Lake County residents must recycle their old appliances at South Lake Refuse and Recycling, who will issue a Recycling Form. Recycling Forms can only be issued at South Lake Refuse and Recycling to be eligible for the Cash for Appliances Rebate program. For more information on how to properly recycle an old appliance, visit: www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/recycle.html .
5. Correct postage. Affix proper postage before mailing your rebate application.
Lake County residents who wish to participate in the Cash for Appliances must bring their old appliances to the only certified recycler in Lake County, South Lake Refuse and Recycling, who will issue a Recycling Form. South Lake Refuse and Recycling is located at the entrance of the Eastlake Landfill, 16015 Davis Street, Clearlake, and open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Residents in the unincorporated areas who wish to recycle appliances any time without participating in the Cash for Appliances program may call their hauler to schedule a “Bulky Item Pick-Up” for a $10 fee.
All county residents may drop-off appliances at Lake County Waste Solutions, 230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport in addition to South Lake Refuse and Recycling also for a $10 fee.
Additional information also is available through retailer locations throughout the county and consumers can call the toll-free number for questions at 888-390-4034.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .