North Dakota Appliance Rebates
For more information, download the North Dakota state appliance program fact sheet 
.
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The State of North Dakota has implemented a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient refrigerators with new ENERGY STAR® qualified models. The rebate program began April 6, 2010. Rebate reservations closed on May 13, 2010, however, consumers can join a waitlist in the event additional funds become available.
Eligible products include
- Refrigerators
Consumers must pre-register for a rebate online. North Dakota requires consumers to recycle their old refrigerator to get a rebate.
Contact: North Dakota Department of Commerce – Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Total Funding: $615,000
Program information subject to change. Rebates may be offered for a limited time only. Before purchasing a product, check with your program sponsor to ensure rebates are available, and to confirm product eligibility and program requirements. Products purchased must meet efficiency criteria as established by the state.
Program Impact:
North Dakota: The Keep-It-Simple Appliance Rebate Program
June 2, 2010—Variety may be the spice of life, but North Dakota decided to base its appliance rebate program on a different motto: less is more.
Since April 6, North Dakota has offered a $150 rebate for ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators; it expects to award approximately 3,800 rebates worth about $577,000 before funds run out. The program went to waitlist-only status in early May.
"Focusing on a single appliance and a single rebate amount made for easy communication, understanding, and administration," says Jeff Rotenberger of the North Dakota Department of Commerce. "Consumers have been very pleased with the simplicity of the program."
The Department of Commerce also decided to use state agency staff to process rebates and answer questions from consumers and retailers instead of hiring an implementation contractor. "Administering our rebate program in house allowed us to keep overhead costs low and maximize the amount of stimulus dollars going to consumers," says Rotenberger. "We consider that a big win for the people here in North Dakota."
Retailers such as Dakota TV and Appliance of Grand Forks reported an estimated 20% increase in refrigerator sales during the first few weeks of the rebate program, and customers were asking about the rebates a month before the launch date. Joey Soderfeld, a floor manager who helped customers fill out rebate forms, credits the simple program design as an important factor in the program's success.
North Dakota also requires each rebate applicant to remove and recycle an old refrigerator from the home to obtain a rebate for a new refrigerator. Soderfeld noted that many customers were replacing old, inefficient refrigerators in working condition simply to take advantage of the rebate!
State contact: Jeff Rotenberger, 701-328-4137
DOE contact: Lani MacRae, 202-586-9193
Visit: www.communityservices.nd.gov/stimulus/seearp and www.energysavers.gov/rebates