Oct 24 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Kelly Hannon The Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, Va.



Shoppers at Sears stores nationwide are asking when federally funded rebates for energy-efficient appliances will be available.

No one knows yet, not even Sears.

"Consumers are asking what and when, how much will those rebates be," said Doug Moore, president of Sears Home Appliances.

All 50 states and six U.S. territories have met the Energy Department's Oct. 15 deadline to submit plans describing how they will spend their share of $300 million in energy-efficient appliance rebates.

Akin to the "Cash for Clunkers" automobile program, the federal rebate program for appliances is intended to nudge consumers to buy new Energy Star models, and take water- and energy-hogging ones out of commission.

Swapping a standard clothes washer for an Energy Star model can save a household $135 in a year and use 5,000 fewer gallons of water, according to Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers research.

But no specifics are available yet on Virginia's plan for the rebates. Virginia will receive $7.4 million of the $300 million, based on the state's population.

Unlike the "Cash for Clunkers" program, there is no national standard for the appliance rebates. Each state can choose to distribute its money differently.

One state could focus the rebates on clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators, while another could target water heaters or air conditioners.

Rebates are likely to be between $50 and $200, according to Jill Notini, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers spokeswoman.

In the meantime, retailers and manufacturers are gearing up for the influx of interest.

Sears has set up a link on sears.com where shoppers can enter their ZIP code and e-mail address, signing up to get an alert when details about the rebates in their state are available.

About 70 percent of appliance shoppers visit sears .com during the research phase, even if they buy their appliance elsewhere, Moore said, speaking to reporters in a conference call this week.

"We expect to participate as a market leader in providing consumers with an easy way to find out which rebates are available through our Web site, and allow them access to those forms as needed to meet those requirements," Moore said.

The state-by-state nature of the rebate program, and the lower price point, has made it harder to promote than the national Cash for Clunkers rebates, Moore acknowledged. "Certainly, $50 to $100 does not have the same impact as $4,500," Moore said.

John Farley, senior brand and environmental marketing manager for Bosch, a home appliance brand, said customers should not wait for the federal rebates if they have a broken appliance.

"We have rebates out there right now," Farley said.

The Energy Department keeps a list of Energy Star-related appliance rebates from manufacturers, states and localities unrelated to the upcoming federal program. Consumers can search for current rebates online at energystar.gov, clicking on the link for "Rebate Finder."

Bosch and Sears said they are prepared to meet an influx of customer demand for products, and shoppers should be reassured that they will be able to get the model they desire.

Kelly Hannon: 540/374-5436

Email: khannon@freelancestar.com

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