OREANDA-NEWS. October 12, 2012. Purchasing incentives in the form of rebates or tax credits are available for many categories of energy-efficient home appliances. Why? The government and utilities both want consumers to use less energy, and one way to do that is by offering incentives to buy more energy-efficient appliances. For a homeowner, that means saving more on their initial purchase and monthly utility bills.

 Depending on the product and the area of the country you live in, there are incentives available for as little as USD 25 to as much as USD 1,000. For example, Massachusetts offers USD 1,000 towards a GE GeoSpring hybrid electric water heater. A little research and strategizing before hitting the store or online retailer can have you walking away with significant savings. Consider these tips:

Check with your local utility provider. Electric companies often offer rebates on energy-efficient products. To find current rebates, visit their website and search for a rebate section. Typically, there is a listing that includes available rebates by appliance category, along with the qualification, incentive and application. If you can’t find information online, call the customer service number listed on your last bill for additional guidance.
Visit manufacturer websites. Some appliance manufacturers are making it even easier for consumers to locate rebates in their area through easy-to-use online search functions. For example, GE Appliances’ Rebate Finder allows consumers to simply enter their zip code and the appliance they’re shopping for to view a list of rebates and immediately download rebate applications. Visit http://www.geappliances.com/rebates_promotions to learn more, including how you might be able to earn money for recycling your old model.
Research government rebates. Government programs such as the ENERGY STAR® rebate locator allow you to enter your zip code and type of appliance to locate special offers at www.energystar.gov.
Search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) website for residential rebates and incentives in your state. Visit www.dsireusa.org, click on your state, and then scroll to the Utility Rebate Program list.
If you don’t have time to research rebates before going to the store, don’t panic. Signage and brochures next to appliance displays often outline available offers, and some store personnel are trained to relay available rebates, so don’t forget to ask.
“Millions of people visit the GE Appliances website each month, and the rebates section is one of the most popular links people explore,” said Courtnay Greenberg, manager of www.GEAppliances.com. “To make the rebate and appliance research as easy as possible, the rebate finder is located on every appliance model page. All you do is type in your zip code and you’ll see what GE, utility and government rebates are available for the model you selected. Our rebate tool on www.geappliances.com aggregates and delivers insight to thousands of rebates throughout the country. We work to make the shopping experience easier for the consumer and helping find rebate dollars with ease is a part of that equation.”


Rebates can end up saving a considerable amount of money on your appliance purchases. Make research a regular part of your appliance shopping experience so you don’t miss out on available savings.