'Cash for Refrigerators:' Like Clunkers, but for Appliances

Aug. 24, 2009 — -- Cash for refrigerators? Yes, that's right, along with washing machines, dishwashers and other houshold appliances. Starting late this fall, you could get a rebate of $50 to $200 for buying a new, more energy-efficient appliance.

The Obama administration hopes a new incentive program will help the economy and the environment, persuading people it's time to replace that creaky old thing in your kitchen. The federal government has set aside $300 million for the program as part of the economic stimulus plan.

The details of the program are still being worked out, and they will vary from state to state. State governments have until Oct. 15 to send detailed plans to Washington.

There's no trade-in required, as in the government's "Cash for Clunkers" deal for cars and trucks. But rebate checks will be issued that can be used to cover everything from refrigerators and dishwashers to furnaces and air conditioners.

The Department of Energy hopes to encourage conservation by getting consumers to replace old, wasteful appliances with new, more efficient Energy Star-certified machines. But the appliance industry, reeling from the recession and a drop in sales, also hopes the rebates will provide a much-needed sales boost.

About 55 percent of new appliances sold last year met the requirements for an Energy Star label, the government says. The cash-for-refrigerators plan will be in addition to incentive programs already run by many states, although there's no guarantee the federal money will get people to buy new appliances instead of fixing their old ones when money is tight.

"This stimulus certainly is needed," said Jill Notini of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. "Our industry is down 15 percent for the year, and we were down in 2008 as well. So this is very needed."