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Federal Rebate Program Energizes Virginia Utilities, Consumers

In Virginia, utility programs to save electricity and gas started in just the last two years. This year, the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, funded with federal stimulus dollars, has provided much-needed rebates to consumers that encouraged utilities to accelerate the implementation of their energy efficiency programs, according to Al Christopher, energy division director of the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME). Rebates ranging from $35 to $300 became available in April and May, 2010 on ENERGY STAR^® qualified refrigerators, clothes washers, water heaters, furnaces, and heat pumps. Over 4,000 rebates representing over $387,000 have been approved for payment.

The State of Virginia is implementing a mail-in rebate program to help residents replace old, inefficient appliances with new, efficient ENERGY STAR^® qualified appliances. In some cases, advanced rebate reservation is required.

The program for refrigerators, clothes washers, gas storage water heaters, gas furnaces, and air source heat pumps began on April 28, 2010. Rebates for heat pump water heaters began on May 28, 2010. Rebates for room air conditioners and dishwashers began September 1, 2010. Rebates for central air conditioners began March 1, 2011; rebate amounts were increased on April 5, 2011 and are retroactive. Rebates will continue in 2011 until funds are depleted.

Eligible products include

• Refrigerators
• Clothes washers
• Dishwashers
• Room air conditioners
• Gas storage water heaters
• Gas tankless water heaters
• Heat pump water heaters
• Gas furnaces
• Air source heat pumps
• Central air conditioners

Consumers must certify that the replaced appliance was properly disposed of. Virginia encourages residents to recycle their old appliances.

Contact: Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy

"The rebate program was used to entice new utility participation and to facilitate an increase in the scop of energy conservation programs already offered by utilities," said Christopher. "This is especially significant now because Virginia utility programs for efficiency and conservation are in their infancy. This also is important because utilities have the greatest opportunity to continue efficiency and conservation incentives without continued federal subsidy."

The rebates come at a good time for Virginia consumers, many of whom are ready to replace aging heat pumps and furnaces installed during the state's housing boom about 15 years ago. "It's tough to be able to plan for this purchase in this economy," says Amber Amato, of DMME. "People are very grateful for the rebates."

SEEARP is the third rebate program DMME has run and it has been the easiest to implement so far, reports Christopher. The online reservation system is working smoothly for residents with Internet access, and people who don't have Internet access and have to phone in have also been very pleased. The general reaction when the state calls back residents who left a voice mail message, Amato says, is, "Wow, you got back to me and you're the government?"

State contact: Carol Spollen, 804-692-3234
DOE contact: Lani MacRae, 202-586-9193
dmme.virginia.gov/arra.shtml and energysavers.gov/rebates

Here is the website for the appliances rebate: 

http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/ARRA.shtml

A new energy rebate program called the Home Efficiency Rebate, is due to be launched approximately June 13, 2011.  Please watch for it at the website for the state DMME website.  This website has up to the minute info regarding what rebate money is still available and what will be released: 

 http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/divisionenergy.shtml

Happy home greening, Yates