Categorized | Business, Energy

Cash incentives for Energy Star refrigerators

MEDIA RELEASE

Lt. Gov. James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr., has announced Hawaii residents will soon be able to save money on new energy-efficient refrigerators when they replace their old models, as a result of $2 million in federal stimulus funds allocated to the state to be used for Energy Star appliance rebates.

Starting May 24, Hawaii’s Energy Star Refrigerator Rebate Program will offer a $250 cash incentive to consumers statewide, while helping to accelerate the state’s Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030.

Similar to the Cash for Clunkers program that took old gas-guzzling cars off the road, Hawaii’s program replaces inefficient refrigerators with more efficient ones. This mail-in rebate program is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and is subject to availability of funds.

Participating retailers have allotments that may be depleted quickly, depending on demand.

“Through innovation and collaborative programs, we are making significant progress in transforming Hawaii from the most imported-oil dependent state in the nation, into a true leader for clean and sustainable energy,” Aiona said. “Implementation of this Energy Star Refrigerator Rebate Program brings us another step closer to achieving our Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative objectives.”

The program is exclusive to refrigerators because this appliance offers one of the largest immediate savings for homeowners and overall benefits to the environment.

In total, this program will help eliminate approximately seven million pounds of carbon emissions from entering Hawaii’s atmosphere and more than 100,000 barrels of oil from being used, over the life of the refrigerators rebated.

“New Energy Star-qualified refrigerators use 50 percent less energy than ones made just 10 years ago; replacing a single 10-year old refrigerator with a new Energy Star appliance can save island residents between $1,700 and $2,000 in energy bills at today’s prices, in addition to 13 barrels of oil each, over a 15-year lifespan,” said Ray Starling, Hawaii Energy program manager.

“Our oil dependency is very costly for Hawaii’s consumers and we all need to get involved to make a difference,” Starling said. “The good news is that it’s easy to use less energy and there’s lots of help available.”

The following websites offer program information, including a complete list of participating retailers, facts about which refrigerators are eligible and how to properly dispose of existing appliances.

* Hawaii Energy’s website, www.HawaiiEnergy.com is the official online hub for program information for residents of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Hawaii Island. A daily status report, will show how many refrigerator rebates are still available for residential consumers.
* Information specific to Kauai residents can be found at the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative website, www.kiuc.coop
* Resources on this federal stimulus program, as well as the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, can be found at: www.hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy

“Similar programs in other states have taught us that this money will go very fast and we encourage consumers to plan ahead, then act quickly once funds are available,” said Ray Mierta, energy services supervisor for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. “This exciting new appliance rebate program is just one plank in our overall effort to ensure that Hawaii moves forward on a clean and sustainable energy path. Aside from this federal program, there are a number of ongoing cash incentives, ranging from $40 to $800, that Hawaii residents may be eligible for with the purchase of qualified energy-efficient appliances.”

Detailed information on additional incentives currently offered in Hawaii for Energy Star-qualified appliances, including ceiling fans, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners and solar hot water heaters can be found at www.HawaiiEnergy.com and at www.kiuc.coop

Cash rebates for residential consumers on the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu will be administered by Hawaii Energy. Kauai Island Utility Cooperative will administer rebates for the residential consumers on Kauai. Both companies are working closely with the Hawaii State Energy Office on program details and fulfillment.

It is expected that the processing and verification process for the federal rebates will take 10 to 12 weeks. Consumers can obtain their rebate application from a participating retailer and should mail in their rebate forms immediately after their refrigerator purchase.

Funding for Hawaii’s program has been procured by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, from a national total of $300 million.

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