Kentucky offers $4 million in rebates for energy-saving appliances

South Kentucky RECC is pleased to announce that beginning on Earth Day, April 22, the Commonwealth of Kentucky will issue Visa debit cards potentially worth hundreds of dollars each to residents who replace their older, less energy-efficient home appliances with new ENERGY STAR appliances.

Yes, you read that correctly: You can buy a new dishwasher, water heater or gas furnace, among many other appliances, and in return receive a sizeable rebate on a debit card from the state.

Seventeen categories of appliances are eligible. Residents are limited to one rebate per category. The amounts range from $50 for buying an ENERGY STAR dishwasher to $400 for an electric heat pump water heater. (Click here for a complete listing of the rebates.)

It’s called the Kentucky Appliance Rebate Program. The state was given $4 million for the project from the U.S. Department of Energy through the federal stimulus program—the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—which nationally allotted $300 million for appliance rebates, based on state population. The stimulus plan’s overall goal is to stimulate job growth and reduce energy costs.

In Kentucky, the appliance program will be administered by the state Department for Energy Development and Independence and is designed to help meet Gov. Steve Beshear’s energy plan to reduce state energy consumption by 18 percent by 2025.

Here’s what you need to know: Starting April 22, you can make rebate reservations on-line at www.KYApplianceRebates.com. The web site will be launched on that date. A toll-free telephone number also will be provided.

You must make your purchases and submit appropriate documentation within 14 days of placing your reservations. All rebates will be monitored to prevent fraud.

Your new ENERGY STAR appliances must replace older, less-efficient products. The state strongly encourages you to recycle the old appliances.

Once the program has begun, remember to act fast, because the rebates will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until the money’s gone. Four million dollars may sound like a lot, but it isn’t expected to last long.

For more information, please visit www.energy.ky.gov or www.recovery.gov.