North Carolina's two-phase rebate program to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with Energy Star appliances is over.

The first phase of the program was a limited-time, instant 15 percent rebate for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, and dishwashers during a four-day period during Earth Day weekend.

Phase 2 offered mail in rebates of $200 for water heaters and $300 for central air conditioners, air source heat pumps and gas furnaces for four days in early June.

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

North Carolina received about $8.8 million of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the Cash for Appliances program, visit the North Carolina State Energy Office website or call 800-662-7131.