Broward County to Launch New Appliance Rebate Program

Residents and Businesses Encouraged to Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances.

Broward County is offering the ENERGY SENSE Appliance Rebate Program to County residents and small to medium-sized businesses to encourage replacement of an old appliance with a new more energy efficient appliance. Up to $400,000 is available in rebates to eligible participants. The County expects 1,200 to 2,000 rebates to be issued to residents and 100 to 450 rebates to businesses.

The program is part of a $1.24 million Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant awarded by the State and funded through the United States Department of Energy to help residents and businesses make the transition to more efficient appliances that will reduce overall energy consumption in the County while stimulating the economy and saving participants money on their utility bills.

Eligible ENERGY STAR appliances for residents include:

Residential Refrigerators - Receive $150 for refrigerators under 20 cubic feet but at least 7.75 cubic feet in volume or $250 for refrigerators 20 cubic feet or greater in volume. (ENERGY STAR freezers and compact refrigerators are excluded.)

Residential Clothes Washer- Receive $150 for all sizes of washing machines.
Eligible

ENERGY STAR appliances for businesses include:

Commercial Grade Refrigerator- Receive 20% of equipment cost up to a maximum of $1,000.

Commercial Grade Freezer- Receive 20% of equipment cost up to a maximum of $1,000.
Interested applicants must pre-register to reserve funds.

Pre-registration will open from September 7 to 28 for businesses and from September 26 to October 10 for residents or until all funds are reserved. Rebates will be available on a first come, first served basis. All application packets must be mailed and postmarked by November 4, 2011.

The County anticipates funds will be reserved quickly due to a large interest in energy conserving appliances. Interested businesses should begin exploring ENERGY STAR options and vendors as soon as possible and gather the required information before pre-registration begins. Residents should review program guidelines and consider their Energy Star options.

Because the rebate program is directed toward replacement appliances, old appliances will need to be recycled or disposed of according to federal, state and local laws and regulations. Proper removal and disposal of appliances will alleviate emissions and ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases from refrigerants.

The Broward County Energy and Sustainability Program will hold numerous information sessions throughout the County in preparation for the launch of the programs. For more information on the ENERGY SENSE Appliance Rebate Program or other rebates, visit www.broward.org/gogreen and click REBATE PROGRAMS or call 954-357-REB8 (7328) or email ENERGYSENSE@broward.org.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Lauderhill has an up to $2000 interest free energy loan for residential purchase of energy star appliances for Lauderhill Residents. The grant for Residents above may qualify for the loan. For more information go to the Lauderhill Green Web Site.