Energy Star savings still available

Anyone hoping to take part in the national savings event on Energy Star-rated products still has a chance to do so.

North Carolina received $8.8 million through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to participate in the Energy Star program. So far, more than 62,000 appliances have been purchased statewide at a total retail value of more than $64 million.

Of the initial $8.8 million, $500,000 is still available for appliance rebates. Some who sent in for rebates either did not qualify, leading to the leftover funds, according to Seth Efron, communications director for the North Carolina Energy Office.

“We created a waiting list after those initial funds were spent,” Efron said. “What happened was people may not have been eligible, or just did not send in their information so there is still money left over.”

The first phase was a direct rebate program, where $7 million was spent, and another phase in June spent about $1 million. Efron said these numbers were better than expected

“The first phase was four days, and then the second phase was about six days, so we are actually ahead of where we expected to be,” Efron said. “This is a part of the process, and we want to keep going until every penny is spent.”

Efron said North Carolina is ahead of most states in the program, with two years left to spend the rest of the money. Even when the money reaches zero, consumers applying for rebates will be put on another waiting list, he said.

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, including 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.

Energy Star-qualified models use about 25 percent less power than ones made before late 2000, and new regulations make Energy Star appliances good products, according to Marty Askew, vice president of Lenoir Tire and Appliance.

“All your appliances now have to meet guidelines and Energy Star products are more efficient,” Askew said. “They use less wattage to operate, and that can lead to a significant amount of savings.”

Less electricity is used in all the appliances, but utility bills will also see savings with appliances that use water, Askew said.

“It varies but, for an example, an Energy Star-rated washer uses half the water of a regular washes,” Askew said. “Older styles use 40 gallons, and the new appliances do not use any more than 16 gallons.”

North Carolina residents who replaced an existing appliance with a new Energy Star qualified appliance purchased on or after June 1, 2010 are eligible to apply for the Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program. Approved applicants will receive a Visa Prepaid Card via mail.

Energy star retailers in Kinston include Furniture Fair, Highland TV and Appliance, Lenoir Tire and Appliance, Lowe’s and Sears. Some have extended store hours, opening at 6 a.m., and are offering additional discounts to accommodate expected large Labor Day weekend crowds.

Joel Gerber can be reached at 252-559-1076 or jgerber@freedomenc.com.