The Texas Appliance Rebate Program is a special energy efficiency savings program initiated by the Texas Energy Department, which provides financial incentives for residents of the state to purchase Energy Star-class appliances when they are replacing older and less efficient home appliances. Using money supplied by federal stimulus programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the state of Texas has chosen to fund $23.3 million in incentives for new appliances that are energy efficient.
The Texas appliance rebate program specified a rebate amount in cases where a new, Energy Star-certified appliance was purchased in order to replace an older machine: $240 for refrigerators, $180 for freezers, $45 for room air conditioners, $180 for clothes washers, $140 for dishwashers, and varying amounts for central air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, and hot water heaters. In addition to these incentives, the Texan program contained an additional and unusual extra bonus: a special, additional $75 rebate was made available in each case where an old appliance being replaced was recycled rather than sent to the landfill.
The Texas appliance rebate program specified a four-step process for consumers to receive their money. First, as mentioned again below, consumers were required to obtain a special rebate “reservation” via the online website. Second, purchase an appliance from a store or, in the case of large appliances (such as central air conditioning), from a contractor. Third, fill out a rebate form provided from the reservation website, making sure to specify both the manufacturer and model details of the appliance as well as the name and location of the retailer or contractor. Finally, specify whether you are disposing of the appliance in a landfill or taking it to a recycling plant (the latter qualified for an additional rebate).
Unfortunately for consumers, the Texas appliance rebate program is now closed, at least for the time being. The initial rebate plan granted consumers rebates for purchases, and would-be consumers were required to obtain a “reservation” for their rebate in advance via the online website. That date has now passed and all reservations assigned, so in effect the Texas appliance rebate program has ended. However, it is a useful model for future environmentally friendly economic stimulus programs, and so consumers may hope for similar programs to be implemented in the future.
In addition, those who did obtain a rebate reservation under the program may still take advantage of the program provided that they make their purchases before the deadlines: May 9 for refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, clothes washers and dishwashers; and central air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, and hot water heaters by June 15. All rebate paperwork must be postmarked June 15 to be eligible for payout. More information is available at the official government website for the program, TexasPowerfulSmart.org. The website offers occasional additional incentive programs.