Cash for clunker appliances

From a story by Mark Leland on WLUK-TV (Green Bay):

GREEN BAY - Those selling refrigerators, washers, even geothermal heat pumps are hoping the latest installment of federal stimulus funds will bring in customers during slow economic times.

"It kind of represents what the government did with cars," explained Scott Steffke, a sales associate with Van Vreede's Appliances in Green Bay.

The cash back rewards on appliances are designed to get residents to trade up to more energy efficient ones.

An approved clothes washer could get you $100, dishwashers $25, refrigerator $75. The rebate for furnaces is $200, water heaters $150, and solar hot water $2000.

The cash back rebate started January 1st and customers at Van Vreede's say that's what has them looking to buy.

"I think that's good because people will be able to spend more to get something good," said Heidi Kuczer, shopping for appliances with her daughter.

The rebate program for appliances is set to run through February of 2012 or until the funds run out. And for Wisconsin that deadline could come sooner rather than later since the state's portion of the rebate money is just $5.4 million.

"It could go in a week, could go in a month, it just depends how long the funds last," said Steffke. . . .

For more details on the products that qualify and rebate forms go to www.focusonenergy.com/recovery.