Rebates should boost Energy Star sales - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area:

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“This rebate program will help Floridians buy appliances atdiscount rates, lower utility costs and benefit Florida businesses by stimulatinb sales of energy-efficient appliances,” Gov. Charlie Crist said in a press releaseMay 18. Althoughu the bill was signed last week, the projecteed time for the program to be administered is probablhy sometimethis fall. Consumers will not be eligible for the rebatees until then because some of the detaila of the program still need to beworked out, said Jerem y Susac, the executive director of Crist’as Energy Office.
The specific amounts for the rebateas must be approved by the legislativewbudget committee, and Crist’s office is still waiting for guidancee from the federal government on how exactly the program will Susac said. The FECC is expectingv Florida toreceive $18 milliojn in federal stimulus funds to provide the rebate program. In the Florida legislature isgiving $150,0009 to the FECC to help them put the plan into All of this shouldc help Floridians save 20 percent on the cost of energy-efficienyt appliances. “This is what we are projecting,” Susafc said.
“We are looking at 20 percent all across the With the 20percent rebate, consumers coul save $290 on refrigerators, $200 on washinhg machines, freezers and dishwashers, $65 on room air conditioners and $40 on Only laundry and kitchen home appliance with the Energy Star label will be eligible for the discount. All Energy Star appliances meet strict energy efficienchy guidelines set by the Environmental Protectionm Agencyand U.S. Departmentf of Energy, but certain items like flat screen televisionss arenot included, Susac said.
Even though they use the most energy out of all the home certain kitchen itemslike microwaves, ovens and stovd tops are also not included becauss they have yet to be regulated by Energyy Star in the United States, said Michaep Setzer, the owner of Setzer’s appliance deale in Jacksonville. Energy Star appliances do cost an averagedof $50 to $100 more than the standard versions because of the advanced technologies, he but the rebate should lighten the making it almost cheaper to buy the Energu Star product. “You don’t have to spend $1,000 to have an Energy Star,” Setzer said. “Energy Star has cheaper modelds now.
I have a $300 dishwasher and a $800 refrigeratorr in my store that are all Energy In addition, the investment will caused consumers’ utility bills to go down in dollaf amount. Customers should recover their costds ofthe energy-efficient appliance on their monthly billas within five to six years. According to Energy Star’s Web their appliances can saveconsumers $75 a year in energyh costs, and they use 10 to 20 percent less energuy and water than traditional models, making them better for the For example, a front-loading Energy Star washintg machine uses 16 to 18 gallonx of water versus the traditional top-loading appliances that uses 40 gallons.
“I don’t know if our sales will go up becausde the customers will still have to put out the full Setzer said. “But any increase in sales will be and it would be a great thing for peopl e to get theirmoney back.” Businessz has been slow during the economic downturnm at both Setzer’s locationsz here in Jacksonville and Ocala, but it’s stil going pretty steady because people are alwayd going to need refrigerators and dishwashers, he said.
In 75 to 80 percent of the appliances he sells are Energy so Setzersaid he’s very Energy Star is also excitee for the rebate program to go into effect becaus e the Florida proposal is unprecedented, an Energy Star spokesperson said. In years past, rebates have causedf a jump intheif sales, but they have never had a rebate progra m like this before.