Funds for Fridges
The sequel to “Cash for Clunkers” might be called “Funds for Fridges.” The continuation to America’s ever-popular “Cash for Clunkers” program (which yielded 690,114 car turn-ins and new unit sales) will soon jump start a new “Cash for Appliances” program that's coming to a utility near you this fall. The main difference, no trade-in is required, these are outright government sponsored rebates for refrigerators, furnaces, washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, etc.
Even though “Cash for Clunkers” is over for cars, more than 60 utilities across the U.S. will be offering money for recycled appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and more. The federal government will be offering rebates from $50 to $200 in support of consumers purchasing more energy-efficient appliances. The goal is simple: Take energy-sucking appliances out of homes and off energy grids, in favor of newer, more energy-efficient ones that will save consumers money, and conserve energy. As a byproduct of all the savings, home appliance manufacturers are counting their lucky stars. The government will help defray the costs of upgrading to Energy Star appliances in hopes families will actually purchase even in the midst of an economic recession. As you can imagine the home appliance supply chain has been devastated by the housing crisis. So the “Cash for Appliances” program accommodates the Obama administration’s triple bottom line, which stands to benefit: the environment, the economy and the consumer.
Supported as part of President Obama's $787 billion stimulus plan, the Department of Energy will provide states with $300 million which will include these rebates in an effort to boost the economy, and also persuade and help citizens make a transition into a better green, energy-conserving lifestyle.
So there’s got to be a catch, right? Well, not really, this could be a winner across the board. The only unknown is how will the public react? Will this be as successful as “Cash for Clunkers” or is that even a fair benchmark? Let’s face it -- driving away in your brand new ride is a lot sexier than installing a new dishwasher. A lot of these consumer oriented stimulus programs have “The Price is Right” feel to it – instead of Bob Barker announcing your bounty, you’ve got Steve Chu, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, padding your household expenses. However, this certainly is no game show. This is where the environment and the economy are on a collision course and our children’s future is up for grabs. The stakes are high.
Despite our good green intentions, money still talks. If green guilt doesn’t prompt mass action to protect Mother Earth perhaps greenbacks will – at least that’s what the feds are bargaining for. State applications for the “Cash for Appliances” funding are due by October 15th, 2009; consumers will probably see the rebates trickle down to their wallets in late November. Consumers should check their state’s energy department to see when the rebates are active and what makes and models are included. The Energy Department's Recovery Act Web site is also a hub of information on stimulus funding and projects by state.
I encourage everybody to participate in this program. It seems to be a part of the stimulus program that is less centric on socioeconomic status. Best of all, the results are long-lasting as most appliances have a 10+ year useful life. That amount of time constitutes significant carbon emissions reductions as well as cumulative dollars saved.
Follow Jennifer Schwab on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SCGreen_Home
Jill Schlesinger: Cash for Clunker Sequel: Dump the Pump
Given the success of "Cash for Clunkers," the government will introduce a sequel that one observer called "Dollars for Dishwashers". That's not really the name, but it's better than "Clunkers, Part Deux".
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I agree with Tom. The right wing media/supporters will find the negatives in this program which if there are, I can't find. This program is great for so many reasons! It's completely a win-win for everyone!
I was late for the "Cash for Clunkers" so I'm definitely going to take part in the "Cash for Appliances"(Funds for Fridges) project. I hope this means that the government is taking a bigger role in the conservation of energy.
Great idea, and I'm happy to see the gov't getting behind it. Maybe we'll start to see even greener changes!
Cash for clunkers was ridiculously successful I personally took advantage of that while it was available and it was a great rebate and the perfect incentive for these bad economic times. I'm sure a rebate program for fridges would be equally successful.
I recently heard on the news that many people have not even received the $ from the Cash from Clunkers event! So, I honestly am loosing trust in these kinda things? How can I assure that I'll get the rebate?
Given the success of the Cash for Clunkers program, maybe this "Funds for Fridges" program will be successful as well?
I wish I waited to buy a new washer (I just bought one since my old one broke. Too bad I didn't read about this program sooner.
Oh that sucks! Is your new washer energy-efficient? Maybe it would benefit you to take advantage of the program anyway with the money you could save on your energy bill.
Another thought and question to consider-- maybe someone can help me out with this? So I have a 2001 Washer/Dryer combo that is not energy star, but is in great condition. I also have a junky, old, no-clue-what-year, energy-sucking refrigerator out in the garage that I'd love to get rid of. I'm wondering if I'd be able to turn in all three, and get money for an energy-star mini-fridge and also an energy star dishwasher? With this new program, will we be able to turn in the old appliances for energy-efficient appliances of a different type?
This sounds great to me-- and far more appealing than cash for clunkers. Not everyone had a bad car, nor needed a new one. However, a much larger majority of people have old, out-dated appliances that they would love to give up for a new more energy-efficient one! I can't wait for all the details!
Good point Abi! Did "Cash for Clunkers" do anything for the environment? Maybe if people turned in clunkers and SUVs in for hybrids and compact cars. I don't know much about that program, but did people just drive away in new little 10-gallon-per-mile sportscars? I much prefer the "Cash for Appliances".
I have been wanting to install more energy-efficient appliances in my home but the thought of forking up a few hundred dollars to do so right now is crazy. If I were given a little more financial incentive to trade in my old energy-sucking appliances, I would be more inclined to do so. I think this is the push America might need right now to be more conscious of what they can do in their homes to be green as well as save cash.
Installing a new energy-efficient washer/dryer may not be as glamorous as driving away in a brand-new vehicle, but I think the "Cash for Appliances" program will appeal to many people during tough economic times when people are continually looking for more ways to save a buck.
How is destroying appliances and borrowing money to get new ones going to help our economy? Destroying assets paid off and borrowing to build new assets. Illusionary stimulus.
We wind up deeper in debt in an effort to buy our way out of a debt inspired recession.
By the way, I support going green and preserving the planets resources. But destroying cars and appliances then borrowing money to buy new ones is not very helpful and may in fact be not very green. If there are 3 years left on a paid off appliance and you go buy a new one instead...you may save a little electricity but you WASTE vast resources and carbon footprint is expanded building fridges for people who don't need them yet. So the green argument here is a little suspect.
The congressional budget office is calling the spending of Pelosi, Reid, and Obama UNSUSTAINABLE. I know you don't believe it, don't think it matters.....but it matters and it's bad.
When I was young these deficits did not amount to much and could be scoffed at. But today, the numbers are unbelievable and disastrous. The Democratic party that came into power in 2006 mocking Republican spending is now shamelessly spending much more, rushing us toward disaster at an accelerated rate and the radicalized left wing mob that denounced those deficits as a reason to make change now support even larger deficits.
Keeping an inefficient refrigerator or freezer in use is a false economy.
My old chest freezer and refrigerator/freezer used over 4 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day. That came to almost about 1,460 kWh per year. At $0.14 per kWh my cost for operating these appliances came to about $204 per year.
I replaced these old clunkers with a new refrigerator/freezer that uses less that 1 kWh per day. It fits my space, meets my needs and saves me over $150 per year. Not bad.
How do I know this? Our local utility (MGE) has a program to make portable energy meters available through our local libraries. I tested my old appliances and decided they needed replacement. As a result I've reduced my total electrical use to less that half of what it was.
And no, I didn't borrow money to buy the new fridge.
Prairie19
Ok, well what happened to your old fridge that still worked? If it was thrown in the trash to contribute toxic materials to the landfills, then I question how "green" the choice was. I think the "Cash for Appliances" programs sounds great as long as the parts for old appliances are being reused and recycled. Otherwise we're just creating more waste.
Good idea. I predict that the hysterical right will find problems with this program, as they did with cash for clunkers.
Tom
Nothing is without a few glitches, but this sounds pretty good so far. Money certainly talks, and it seems it's the only thing people are hearing right now. So, if it's a way to get people to think more about their energy-use and what they can do to lessen their impact, I think it's great.
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