Rebates for ENERGY STAR Appliances

In the coming months you may be eligible to receive rebates from your state or territory for the purchase of new ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances.

These rebates are being funded with $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Under this program, eligible consumers can receive rebates to purchase new energy-efficient appliances when they replace used appliances.

State Information

Thumbnail image of the map showing approved State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs.

Each state and U.S. territory was allowed to design its own rebate program, and all 56 plans have now been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn about those programs and when they are projected to start. (Note: This Web site is the only official DOE-sponsored Web site; be cautious of "fake" Web sites.)

Types of Appliances

More than 70% of the energy used in our homes is for appliances, refrigeration, space heating, cooling, and water heating. Replacing old appliances and equipment with those that are ENERGY STAR® labeled can help American families save significantly on their utility bills. Each state and territory may select its own set of ENERGY STAR qualified products to rebate. DOE has recommended that states select from among the following appliances:

Boilers
Central air conditioners
Clothes washers
Dishwashers
Freezers
Furnaces (oil and gas)
Heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
Refrigerators
Room air conditioners
Water heaters

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will issue the rebates?

Each state is designing and running its own unique Appliance Rebate Program. DOE is providing funding to all states, five territories, and the District of Columbia to develop and implement these programs.

How much will each state receive to fund its program?

Each state will receive an amount proportionate to its population compared to the total U.S. population, with a floor of no less than $100,000. See the complete list of allocations by state (PDF 11 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Are states offering rebates now?

A state can not begin to offer rebates until its program plan has been approved by DOE. States submitted their plans to DOE on October 15, 2009, and DOE is currently in the process of reviewing these documents.

When will my state's appliance rebate program take effect?

Each state will establish its own implementation date and communicate the information to its residents. DOE has posted the dates each state has proposed to launch its program, pending DOE approval.

I just bought an efficient appliance. Will the rebates be available retroactively?

Only purchases of qualified products made during the specific time period established by each state will be eligible for a rebate.

How long will the rebate programs last?

The rebate program will continue as long as the states and territories have money to support it. While they have until February 2012 to spend the money, it is likely that the money will go quickly. States and territories must indicate how they intend to notify consumers when the funding for rebate program is exhausted.

Who is eligible for a rebate?

The program is for consumers. Each state will specify exactly who is eligible to participate in its program, and some states are likely to limit rebates to only certain types of consumers, e.g., low-income.

Do I have to turn in my old appliance to be eligible for a rebate?

Only purchases that replace an existing appliance are eligible for a rebate. DOE is strongly encouraging the recycling of old appliances purchased under the program. See the ENERGY STAR Recycling page for more information on appliance recycling.

Can I get more than one rebate from my state?

Each state will decide if consumers will be eligible for more than one rebate when purchasing appliances covered in the program.

What are the rebate amounts?

Each state and territory will choose dollar amounts for the products selected. Amounts could range from $50 to $250, depending upon the product being purchased, the purchase price, and other potential market factors.

Can consumers combine the rebate with other incentives, such as the federal tax credit or a utility rebate?

A consumer can combine a state rebate with the federal tax credit for the same product, as long as the purchase qualifies under the rules of both programs and is not specifically excluded. Consumers may also be able to combine the state rebate with a local utility rebate, but eligibility should be verified with both organizations. For more information on additional incentives and rebates, please see the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

How much energy can I save when I replace a used appliance with a new ENERGY STAR-qualified model?

Energy savings will depend on the specific appliance and model being replaced, but new ENERGY STAR appliances save significantly more energy than those manufactured years ago. For example, replacing a clothes washer made before 2000 with a new ENERGY STAR model can save up to $135 per year. Replacing a refrigerator made before 1993 with a new ENERGY STAR model can save up to $65 per year. Learn more about ENERGY STAR appliances.

Find out more about the energy savings potential of these products:

Why are rebates different state-by-state?

Every state has specific energy needs and the rebate program allows flexibility to design the right program for that particular state. For example, residents living in warm-weather states may benefit more from the use of energy-efficient air conditioners, while consumers in a cold-weather state would benefit more from efficient furnaces.

What is the ENERGY STAR program?

ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy helping consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. All appliances and products with the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the DOE.