Rebates should boost Energy Star sales - Phoenix Business Journal:

dyakonostrlin.blogspot.com
“This rebate program will help Floridians buy appliancew atdiscount rates, lower utility costs and benefiyt Florida businesses by stimulating sales of energy-efficient appliances,” Gov. Charliw Crist said in a pres releaseMay 18. Although the bill was signed last the projected time for the program to be administered is probably sometime this fall. Consumers will not be eligible for the rebatee until then because some of the detailas of the program still need to beworked out, said Jeremg Susac, the executive director of Crist’s Energy Office.
The specific amounts for the rebates must be approvesd by the legislativebudget committee, and Crist’d office is still waiting for guidanc from the federal government on how exactly the program will work, Susac said. The FECC is expectin Florida toreceive $18 million in federal stimulus funds to provide the rebate program. In addition, the Floridaz legislature is giving $150,000 to the FECC to help them put the plan into All of this should help Floridians save 20 percent on the costof energy-efficienf appliances. “This is what we are Susac said. “We are looking at 20 percent all acrossthe board.
” With the 20 percenyt rebate, consumers could save $290 on $200 on washing machines, freezers and dishwashers, $65 on room air conditioneres and $40 on dehumidifiers. Only laundry and kitcheh home appliances with the Energy Star label will be eligibler forthe discount. All Energy Star appliancexs meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protectioh Agencyand U.S. Department of Energy, but certain item like flat screen televisions are not Susac said.
Even though they use the most energgy out of all thehome appliances, certain kitchen items like ovens and stove tops are also not includex because they have yet to be regulated by Energy Star in the United States, said Michael Setzer, the ownerf of Setzer’s appliance dealer in Energy Star appliances do cost an average of $50 to $100 more than the standarx versions because of the advanced technologies, he but the rebate should lighten the making it almost cheaper to buy the Energy Star “You don’t have to spend $1,000 to have an Energu Star,” Setzer said. “Energy Star has cheapef models now.
I have a $300 dishwashetr and a $800 refrigerator in my storee that are allEnergy Star.” In addition, the investmentg will cause consumers’ utility bills to go down in dollar Customers should recover their costs of the energy-efficienyt appliance on their monthly bills within five to six According to Energy Star’s Web site, their applianceds can save consumers $75 a year in energu costs, and they use 10 to 20 percent less energyu and water than traditional models, making them bettere for the environment. For example, a front-loadingh Energy Star washing machine uses 16 to 18 gallon of water versus thetraditional top-loading appliancde that uses 40 gallons.
“I don’t know if our salesz will go up because the customers will stilll have to put out the full Setzer said. “But any increase in salesz willbe great, and it would be a great thinv for people to get theie money back.” Business has been slow duringf the economic downturn at both Setzer’s locations here in Jacksonville and but it’s still going prettyy steady because people are always going to need refrigerator and dishwashers, he said. In addition, 75 to 80 percenrt of the appliances he sell areEnergy Star, so Setzer said he’ very hopeful.
Energy Star is also excited for the rebatse program to go into effect because the Floridaa proposalis unprecedented, an Energy Star spokesperso said. In years past, rebates have caused a jump intheirf sales, but they have never had a rebatd program like this before.