Wisconsin Appliance Rebates
THIS PROGRAM IS CLOSED. AS OF APRIL 30, 2010, REBATE APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED.
For more information, download the Wisconsin state appliance program fact sheet
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The State of Wisconsin implemented a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with new, select ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. Product rebates began January 1, 2010 and closed on April 30, 2010. Applications received through May 3, 2010 will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Based on the number of applications received through May 3, 2010 it is likely that funding will be depleted prior to all applications being processed.
Eligible products included
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Clothes washers
- Dishwashers
- Gas storage water heaters
- Gas tankless water heaters
- Electric heat pump water heaters
- Solar water heaters
- Indirect water heaters
- Furnaces
- Boilers
- Central air conditioners
- Air source heat pumps
- Geothermal heat pumps
For solar hot water heaters, customers were required to first submit an application to Wisconsin's Focus On Energy Program to ensure that the system meets specific requirements. For other products, customers received a rebate application at the time of purchase or by contacting the Focus Program. Customers were required to provide proof of recycling of their replaced refrigerant-containing appliances, and submit rebate applications within 30 days of purchase and recycling dates.
Contact: Wisconsin Focus on Energy
Total Funding: $5,400,000
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:
Wisconsin Consumers Snatch Up Appliance Rebates
Consumers have already received rebates on more than 9,000 clothes washers, 5,400 refrigerators, and 4,500 furnaces!
April 20, 2010 – Smart people listen when opportunity knocks, especially if opportunity is carrying a fistful of cash.
Both the opportunity and the cash have been knocking loudly in Wisconsin—so loudly that after three months, the state's energy-efficient appliance rebate program had spent 54 percent of its $5,018,601 rebate funds.
"We expected to be running for 6 or 12 months," says Bobbi Fey of Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program, "but we'll probably be out of money by the end of April." Consumers have already received rebates on more than 9,000 clothes washers, 5,400 refrigerators, and 4,500 furnaces with funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
"Our incentives were not huge, but they were enough to get consumers' attention and point out the benefits of replacing existing units," Fey says.
Fey attributes part of the program's success to the state's partnerships with HVAC contractors and retailers. "Retailers have done a great job of spreading the programs' message," Fey reports. "We gave them a heads up at the start of the program, which allowed them to stock up and conduct advertising." HVAC contractors were also able to tout both the new program and existing rebate programs to attract customers.
State contact: Maria Redmond, 608-261-8427
DOE contact: Lani MacRae, 202-586-9193
Visit: www.energysavers.gov/rebates or
www.focusonenergy.com/recovery
Everyone Appreciates the Fact that They Can Save Energy
Wisconsin Rebates Draw Customers, Increase Sales
How did Wisconsin's appliance rebate program go?
"It went well!" said Sue Francis, sales manager at Midwest TV and Appliance in La Crosse. "We have had a significant amount of traffic and it's definitely helping our sales."
The state expected to issue more than $5 million in rebates for ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, central air conditioners, and heat pumps.
"I do believe the rebates made people decide to purchase a more efficient unit," said Francis. "Everyone appreciates the fact that they can save energy."
Her store saw the greatest rise in refrigerator sales, but also saw an uptick in freezers, clothes washer, dishwasher, and water heater sales.
Unlike other promotions Midwest has run, the rebate program motivated many customers to buy more than one appliance.
"I think because the rebate included more offerings, that allowed people to purchase a few more pieces than they normally would have," said Francis. "They could buy a fridge and freezer or a washer and dryer."
Midwest offered free recycling with the rebate. Proof of recycling was required for all products containing refrigerant (refrigerators, freezers, and central air conditioners).
The program began on January 19, 2010 and continued through April 30, 2010. The program was administered by Wisconsin's Focus on Energy with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
State contact: Robyn Nowak, 414-225-9520
DOE contact: Lani MacRae, 202-586-9193
Visit: www.focusonenergy.com/Residential/loose_pages/recovery.aspx and www.energysavers.gov/rebates