WASHINGTON–The final stimulus package passed by the U.S. Congress, and to be signed into law by President Barack Obama today, will include $300 million to fund the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, according to a statement from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
The rebates will offset the cost differential between Energy Star-certified and non-Energy Star-certified appliances such as refrigerator-freezers, dishwashers and clothes washers, AHAM said. The association termed the rebates “an important financial incentive to encourage consumer spending” on Energy Star appliances. AHAM estimated that if every U.S. household replaced its current appliances with Energy Star appliances, more than $10 billion in utility costs could be saved each year.
Also, AHAM said, the nation could save more than 82 million kilowatt-hours in energy by replacing older appliances with Energy Star products.
