Stimulus heats up

<p>Cheryl Schwartz browses the refrigerators at Fred's Appliance in Coeur d'Alene while waiting for her order to be completed Wednesday. The State Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program is providing rebates ranging on certain Energy Star appliances.</p>

by Rick Thomas
| March 25, 2010 9:00 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - As of 8 a.m. today, there is $1.2 million available in Idaho in rebates for energy-efficient appliances and heating systems. The State Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus package, will provide rebates ranging from $25 to $300 for Energy Star clothing and dishwashers, refrigerators, water heaters, room air conditioners and a variety of heating systems purchased from Idaho dealers.

COEUR d'ALENE - As of 8 a.m. today, there is $1.2 million available in Idaho in rebates for energy-efficient appliances and heating systems.

The State Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, better known as the stimulus package, will provide rebates ranging from $25 to $300 for Energy Star clothing and dishwashers, refrigerators, water heaters, room air conditioners and a variety of heating systems purchased from Idaho dealers.

"They need to act fast, and get their tracking number," said Jeff Cushman, manager of Fred's Appliance in Coeur d'Alene.

Prospective buyers of the qualifying equipment need to sign up online at www.seearprewards.com/idaho or by calling (877) 223-6975 to reserve a tracking number, then make a purchase within three days.

Cushman estimates about 16,000 rebates will be available in the state, all on a first-come basis.

"We have no idea how far it's going to go," he said. "We can't guarantee it, especially if they haven't pre-qualified."

Qualifying Energy Star products and the related rebates are:

• Room air conditioners, $25

• Dishwashers, $50

• Clothes washers and refrigerators, $75

• Oil furnaces, $110

• Gas furnaces, $125

• Electric heat pump water heaters, gas storage water heaters, solar water heaters with electric or gas backup, $150

• Gas boilers, $200

• Air source heat pumps, including ductless, $250

• Oil boilers, $300

Most refrigerators, virtually all dishwashers, front-loading and some top-loading clothes washers will qualify, Cushman said.

Manufacturer rebates, utility company rebates and in some cases federal tax credits can also apply in addition to the stimulus rebate.

Combined, they can cut a typical $5,000 conversion from an old gas furnace to a high-efficiency variable speed system by nearly half, said Lea Ann Brouillard, office manager at Border Sheet Metal and Heating in Hayden.

A homeowner replacing a heat pump and gas furnace can save nearly $5,700 if they are in the right circumstances, she said.

"They need to have an existing system to replace," she said. "They are trying to bring old systems up to date."

It is the consumer, not the dealer who is responsible for filing the necessary documentation, Cushman said.

"This is going to be really beneficial for those who can use it," he said.

To qualify, Idaho residents must purchase equipment from an Idaho retailer. Some will help recycle the old equipment.

Use the tracking number to log back onto www.seearprewards.com/idaho or call (877) 223-6975 and confirm the purchase. You will need your receipt to verify the model number. Print the confirmation page to mail in with the receipt. If redeeming by phone, the customer service representative will give instructions for a consumer-created confirmation page.

By mail, within 30 days of redeeming the rebate, mail in the printed confirmation page, purchase receipt (original or clear copy), first page of utility bill with your address to confirm Idaho residency (original or clear copy) and use the tracking number to monitor the progress of your rebate. A prepaid Visa card will arrive in the mail in about six to eight weeks.