Happy Earth Day! Get cash for appliances

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Earth Day is tomorrow, and the state is throwing a big sale – on appliances! Well the state’s not running the sale, but it is reimbursing stores to give you a discount on newer energy-efficient appliances, but there is a catch. You have to turn in the old appliance to get the discount on the new energy-efficient one. It’s similar to Cash for Clunkers last summer.

“In order to qualify, if you’re buying a new fridge, you have to return an old fridge, not just to come in and purchase brand new items,” hhgregg assistant manager Jeff Jasper said.

Along with refrigerators, you can get the 15 percent instant rebate on washing machines, dishwashers and freezers. Appliances that qualify are labeled with a little Energy Star logo.

“It will reduce the customer’s water bill, as well as their electrical bill, especially with washing machines, and it’s to help the environment,” Jasper said. “That’s why it’s kicked off on Earth Day.”

A new Energy Star-rated refrigerator uses half the electricity as the same size refrigerator built before 1995.

North Carolina received $8.8 million through the federal Recovery Act to participate in the rebate program. The state is asking stores to consider offering additional discounts this weekend to encourage customers to participate.

Jimmy Best is shopping for new appliances.

“We just bought a house, so we’re looking to outfit the whole kitchen with new appliances,” Best said. When he heard about the rebate program, he decided to hold out for Thursday.

“Sounds like a good deal,” he said. “It’s definitely going to help us financially to get us into the new house, so any kind of break we can get, we need it.”

The program is supposed to last through Sunday, but it could end a lot sooner if the funds run out, like they have in a lot of other states that have participated in this program.

According to the Department of Commerce, by replacing your old appliances with the nearly 50,000 Energy Star items expected to be purchased this weekend, enough electricity will be saved to power more than 500 homes for an entire year.

For a list of participating stores, visit energync.net.