BOSTON - March 22, 2010 - As part of the Patrick-Murray Administration's Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's economic future, Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles today announced important details for participating in a $6.2 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded energy efficient appliance rebate program. This information is now posted on a newly-launched state energy efficiency web site:
www.MassSave.com/residential. "The Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange is the latest example of the Commonwealth's use of federal Recovery dollars to lower household energy costs, cut energy waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Governor Deval Patrick. "I am delighted that launching this program will be part of our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day."
Details regarding the Department of Energy Resources' (DOER) Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange, including participating retailers, eligible appliance models, rebate amounts, and steps for securing rebate reservations and obtaining a rebate are now posted at
www.MassSave.com/residential. Consumers who need additional assistance beyond the information on the web site can also call a new DOER hotline at 617-626-7350. The list of participating retailers will be updated through April 8.
"Starting on April 22, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, Massachusetts residents can get cash back for taking energy-wasting refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and clothes washers out of commission and exchanging them for super efficient models," Secretary Bowles said. "Consumers can hit the ground running on April 22, by taking time now to find out which models are rebate eligible and which retailers will be participating in the program."
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Massachusetts was allocated $6.2 million to administer an Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program designed to spur significant household energy savings by taking high energy consuming home appliances out of service and replacing them with qualified ENERGY STAR models. Since appliances are among the heaviest energy users in most homes, the program is expected to yield significant annual energy savings for consumers who participate - potentially cutting energy bills by hundreds of dollars if more than one appliance is replaced.
The Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange is a limited time only offer, beginning April 22. Rebate reservations must be made by phone or web site starting April 22, and appliances must be purchased between April 22 and May 5, 2010. Funding is limited, and rebates are on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is depleted. To ensure that the process is managed fairly, consumers will be required to make an advance reservation and must turn in their inefficient appliances. Returned appliances must be working when exchanged for eligible high efficiency models, and will be picked up and hauled away for recycling when the new appliances are delivered. All Massachusetts residents, including those served by municipal electric/light departments, will be eligible for these rebates. Only Massachusetts participating retail store purchases will qualify. Internet purchases are not eligible.
The Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange will offer rebates of $250 for qualified dishwashers, $200 for qualified refrigerators, $175 for qualified clothes washers and $50 for qualified freezers.
Rebate steps (posted at
www.MassSave.com/residential) include:
1. Starting on April 22, obtain reservation number(s) and rebate form(s) by visiting
www.MassSave.com/residential or calling an 800 number (to be announced) between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Customers who call the hotline can opt to receive rebate forms electronically or via the mail. Make sure to get a printout of the rebate form.
2. Visit a pre-approved Massachusetts retail store (a list of stores can be found at
www.MassSave.com/residential beginning on March 22).
3. Choose and purchase an eligible model (a complete list of eligible models can be found at
www.MassSave.com/residential beginning on March 22).
4. Schedule delivery of new unit and removal of old unit with retailer.
5. Fill out rebate form that is pre-printed with your reservation number(s) on it.
6. When sending in completed application, include documentation necessary for verification purposes:
- Rebate form with the pre-printed reservation number(s) (one for each appliance purchased);
- A copy of sales receipt showing appliance was purchased during the time period of April 22 - May 5, 2010 containing manufacturer, make and complete model number of the product, as well as store address and sales price for each product purchased;
- A copy of a recent electric utility bill with account number for the installation address;
- A copy of delivery document confirming pick up of old appliance(s).
7. Send completed rebate form for processing (address provided on rebate form) postmarked by June 19, 2010.
"Through this limited time program, an estimated 27,000 inefficient appliances will be taken out of service, saving 2.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity - enough to power 340 households for a year," DOER Commissioner Phil Giudice said. "The Commonwealth is pleased to partner with the US Department of Energy, Massachusetts public utilities, and participating retail stores to make this happen."
Mass Save Great Appliance Exchange sponsors include Cape Light Compact, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, National Grid, NSTAR Electric and Unitil.
"This program is a benefit to both consumers and the environment," said Barbara Anthony, the Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. "Buying a big household appliance is a big financial decision for families, especially during our economic recovery. This program provides a great incentive for consumers to make that purchase, and do it in a positive way for the environment."
Investment in energy efficiency is a critical component of Governor Patrick's Massachusetts Recovery Plan, which combines state, federal and, where possible, private efforts to provide immediate and long-term relief and position the Commonwealth for recovery in the following ways:
- Deliver immediate relief by investing in the road, bridge and rail projects that put people to work today and providing safety net services that sustain people who are especially vulnerable during an economic crisis;
- Build a better tomorrow through education and infrastructure investments that strengthen our economic competitiveness, prepare workers for the jobs of the future, and support clean energy, broadband, and technology projects that cut costs while growing the economy; and
- Reform state government by eliminating the pension and ethics loopholes that discredit the work of government and revitalize the transportation networks that have suffered from decades of neglect and inaction.
