Apply for Ariz. appliance rebates

Apply for Ariz. appliance rebates

by Dawn Gilbertson The Arizona Republic Apr. 3, 2010 12:00 AM

Arizona consumers in the market for new energy-efficient appliances should set their alarms for just before 6 a.m. April 12.

At 6 a.m. that day, the state's $6.2 million appliance-rebate program begins. Consumers need to log on to www.arizona rebates.com or call 877-307-5335 that morning to reserve one. There are only an estimated 35,000 rebates available for eligible dishwashers
, clothes washers and water heaters, and they have gone fast in other states.

"We expect all rebates to be exhausted that day," said David Drennon, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Commerce. The department's energy office is overseeing the program.

The new appliances
must be replacing existing appliances and have to be bought in a store in Arizona. No online purchases are eligible.

The rebates, ranging from $75 for certain dishwashers to $425 for an electric heat pump, apply only to purchases of energy-efficient appliances with the Energy Star rating. Qualifying models for each appliance can be found at www.energystar.gov.

The Energy Star appliances, available in a variety of brands, save on energy and, where applicable, water. The Energy Star appliances are more expensive than appliances that don't meet the criteria.

Richard Craig of Mesa TV and Appliance said the price difference for Energy Star appliances before rebates is about $100 on dishwashers and a few hundred dollars on clothes washers, all before the state rebate and other rebates from utilities and manufacturers.

"In the long run, you're going to make your money back in the energy savings," Craig said.

He said Mesa TV and Appliance already has seen customers shopping different models in anticipation of the state rebate. The money is coming from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which was designed to stimulate the economy.

"We're hoping for a large sales boost," Craig said. "We could use it right now."

Consumers seeking to buy more than one appliance must apply for each one separately through the toll-free number or the Web site. There is one rebate per appliance per category per household.

Consumers can start shopping as soon as they secure a rebate reservation and will have a couple of weeks to buy the appliance before the rebate opportunity is turned over to someone else. The rebate, in the form of a VISA check card, will be sent about six to eight weeks after redeemed.

In addition to the new state rebate and manufacturers' rebates available through retailers, consumers are urged to check with their utility and city government for additional rebates.