Nebraska is planning a rebate program this spring to help residents replace older, inefficient appliance with energy-efficient models.

The state will implement a mail-in rebate program in April or May to help consumers replace older appliances with new, Energy Star-listed, energy-efficient appliances.

Nebraska’s rebate-eligible appliances include:

• Refrigerators - $100 (20% above federal standards)
• Clothes washers - $100 for Tier 1, $200 for Tier 2
• Dishwashers - $50 (≤ 307 kWh/yr ≤ 5.0 gal/cycle)
• Natural gas and propane furnaces - $250 (95% efficiency)
• Central air conditioners - $100 (16 SEER + 13 EER)
• Heat pumps - $250 (15 SEER, 8.5 HSPF + 12.5 EER)

Consumers must purchase the products from registered heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors or local retail locations. They will receive a rebate form from the retailer and will have 30 days from the date of purchase to mail the completed form to the fulfillment center.

All residents are encouraged to recycle their old appliances, but are not required to do so. Appliances purchased prior to start of program are not eligible for a rebate.

The program is one of 56 State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs, popularly known as Cash for Appliances, that are being set up in the United States and six U.S. territories with the help of federal stimulus money.

Nebraska received about $1.7 million of the nearly $300 million available nationwide for the program from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on Cash for Appliances, visit the Nebraska Energy Office Web site or call 402-471-2867.