U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Energy Savers

Rebates for ENERGY STAR® Appliances

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.

Appliance Rebates in Your State

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

Each state and U.S. territory designed its own rebate program, and all 56 plans have been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn about those programs, including their program start dates and specific eligibility criteria. (Note: This Web site is the only official DOE-sponsored Web site; be cautious of "fake" Web sites or media stories that may contain inaccurate information.)

How to Apply: Visit your state's appliance rebate Web site for rebate forms and instructions. For questions about the status of your rebate, contact your state's program using the table or map on the next page.

Program Results Are Coming In!

As of September 30, 2011, a total of 1.7 million consumer rebates, valued at $254 million, have been paid to consumers. The annual energy savings resulting from the purchase of the rebated products is estimated at 1.6 trillion Btu. The bar chart, below, shows the distribution of these rebates by major appliances (88%), HVAC (10%), and Water Heater (2%) categories. Download the results fact sheet for the appliance rebate program.

Bar graph showing total rebates by category. Major appliances had 88%, HVAC had 10%, and water heaters had 2%

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 has selected its own set of ENERGY STAR qualified products to rebate, based on the DOE list of recommended appliances:

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.

Where do I get rebate forms?

Each state runs its own appliance rebate program and publishes its own rebate forms. Please visit Rebates for ENERGY STAR Appliances where you can find quick overview information on approved appliance rebate programs. In addition, from this page you can click on your state (or the name of your state just below the map) for more information, where you will find specific details such as eligible items, fact sheets, and your state's Web site which has rebate forms and other information.

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.

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

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

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. Retroactive rebates are not allowed.

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 residential 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. Some states require proof of haul away or recycling to receive 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. Most rebate amounts range from $50 to $500, depending upon the product being purchased, the purchase price, and other potential market factors. Some states give additional rebates for recycling.

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 $130 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.

Related Links