Office of Energy Security, Minnesota Department of Commerce
ENERGY STIMULUS UPDATE
Monday, March 1, 2010
Rebate Web Site Unavailable
 
We are aware that Appliance Rebate website is currently unavailable.

We are working with the vendor providing this service to identify and repair the problems.

The 1-877-230-9119 hotline is available but may be busy because of high call volume.

In the mentime, you can call the Energy Information Center if you need information:

1-800-657-3710 (MN only)
651-296-5175 (Metro area)

The Info Center CANNOT process your request for a voucher.

For more information, contact us at energy.info@state.mn.us or 800-657-3710.

On March 1 @ 8am the website and a phone number will launch with a rebate reservation system – residents will have to pre-register for the rebate and receive a specific reservation code.  There are only approximately 24,500 rebates for the entire state so they are likely to go VERY FAST.

More info: http://www.mnappliancerebate.com/

March 1 Update – as of 11am the site still seems to be down – likely due to high demand.  You may also try to call the program’s toll-free number to apply for the rebate: 1-877-230-9119.

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Trade-in & Save Appliance Program

Targeted for a March 1, 2010 start, the Trade-in & Save Appliance Program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will offer approximately 25,000 Minnesota homeowners a rebate for replacing their old appliance with a qualifying ENERGY STAR model purchased from a Minnesota retailer. Rebates are not retroactive for purchases made outside the program timeframe. This program is estimated to create 59 jobs and annually save 2,200,412 KWh in energy, 43,729,920 gallons of water and 4,705,065 lbs of carbon (CO2).

Minnesota’s allocation of $5,009,000 includes rebates on:

• clothes washers ($200)
• dishwashers ($150)
• freezers ($100 with purchase and proof of recycling, $50 for purchase only)
• refrigerators ($200 with purchase and proof of recycling, $100 for purchase only) 

A program-specific website to be launched in early 2010 will contain the program’s eligibility requirements, rules and forms. We recommend that homeowners view ENERGY STAR and their utility websites for additional rebate opportunities, including appliance bounty programs that pay you for taking away a second working refrigerator or freezer stored in your basement or garage. Homeowners will be limited to one rebate for a single appliance purchase. Rebates are not retroactive for purchases made outside the program timeframe. Additional residential rebates for energy-saving products can be found here.

If you are a consumer and have questions on the program, send us your inquiry at energy.info@state.mn.us or sign-up for our stimulus e-newsletter that provides a monthly update on all stimulus programs.

If you are a retailer located in Minnesota that sells appliances and would like to receive program materials, please send us your full contact information (company name, contact name, full address, phone, email and website) to appliancerebate.retailer@state.mn.us . Contact information provided to us will only be used to distribute program materials.

The Office of Energy Security would like to thank the following Official Partner organizations that have offered in-kind support to ensure the OES meets the administrative funding match requirements for this program:  Sears Holdings Corporation, Best Buy, Warners’ Stellian, Castanea Labs Inc., Great River Energy (GRE), Whirlpool Corporation, BSH Home Appliances Corporation (Bosch), and Minnesota Power.

• Get a FREE low flow shower head from Centerpoint Energy (must be a customer)
• Install new low flow toilets if your toilets are from the 1980’s or earlier
• Have a lawn analysis and sprinkler head adjustment completed by a lawn irrigation company
• Raise the cutting height of your lawn mower – longer grass holds in more moisture
• Water your lawn deeply 1-2 times per week versus short watering 3-5 times a week

While increasing the cost of water for high-volume users will help curtail their consumption, we can all reduce water usage with the above tips and while it isn’t a huge financial windfall, over time the savings really do add up.

Suggestion to cities: why offer a partial rebate to homeowners (or businesses) that take any of the above actions?  The City of Austin gives its residents up to 3 FREE toilets!  While I don’t believe we need to go that far, these types of incentives will encourage far more conservation than simply taxing overly excessive usage.

Water heaters 80% efficient or greater (tankless) – $300
Furnaces 95% efficient or greater – $150
Air Conditioners 14 SEER or greater – $300
Insulation – 10% of cost, up to $500
Windows – 10% of cost, up to $200

There are many other items that qualify, for more information and a complete list, please visit EnergyStar.gov’s page for more information.