Starting December 20, 2010, Texans are able to purchase new Energy star appliances and participate in the Texas appliance rebate program again.  Approximately $10 million will be available for this program.  The goal of the program is to promote awareness of ENERGY STAR® appliances and decrease energy consumption by encouraging appliance replacement.

Eligible Appliances (as of 11/19/10) are:

Appliance, rebate amount and place to purchase are shown in the table below

Air-Source Heat Pumps ENERGY STAR qualified, single package or split system.	$1,000	In store or from Texas contractor
Central Air Conditioners ENERGY STAR qualified, single package or split system.	$1,000	In store or from Texas contractor
Clothes Washers ENERGY STAR qualified with Modified Energy Factor 2.0 or greater & Water Factor 6.0 or less	$100	In store
Dishwashers ENERGY STAR qualified, standard size	$85	In store
Freezers ENERGY STAR qualified, 14.5 cubic feet or greater.	$100	In store
Refrigerators ENERGY STAR qualified, 14.5 cubic feet or greater.	$175	In store
Room Air Conditioners ENERGY STAR qualified	$40	In store
Water Heaters ENERGY STAR qualified, including electric, gas and solar water heaters.	$300	In store or from Texas contractor

Rebate amounts can increase $75 with the addition of a recycling rebate.  This cannot apply to new home appliance purchased.  A rebate application form will be available at www.TexasPowerfulSmart.org before the start of the program. You may also sign up for e-mail updates at this website, which will include notification when the application form becomes available.

According to the Energy Star website of the U. S. Environmental Protection  Agency, heating and cooling costs the average homeowner about $1,000 a year, which is almost half of a home’s total energy bill.  Replacement of a CH/A system that is more than 12 years old with an ENERGY STAR qualified model could cut consumers’ cooling costs by 30%.

Rules and qualifications are below:

• The Texas Appliance Mail-in Rebate Program is a traditional mail-in rebate program, and Texas consumers do not reserve funding for an appliance rebate. Rebates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are distributed.
• Texas residents with a valid Texas residential address may apply for an appliance rebate if they follow all program rules.
• To participate, you would first research and select your new appliance and then, on or after December 20, 2010:

• 1. Purchase a qualifying ENERGY STAR® appliance from a Texas retailer or contractor and retain your receipt;
  2. Install the new, qualifying appliance in your valid Texas residential address;
  3. Either properly dispose of or recycle the old appliance being replaced;
  4. Completely fill out a rebate application form, including the appliance disposal or recycling information;
  5. Mail in the completed application form with your receipt and any other required documentation (e.g., disposal or recycling verification) to the address that will be available before the start of the purchase period on December 20, 2010.
  6. Application forms will be ordered by the postmark date on the envelope of the application. If a postmark is missing, the application will be placed in the order based on the day it arrives at the processing facility.

According to federal rules, appliance or recycling rebates cannot be used for new construction or for businesses use.