Money remains for R.I. appliance rebates

PROVIDENCE – Despite a busy weekend, rebates from the state for home appliances remain available, the official in charge of the program said Tuesday morning.
Executive Director of the R.I. Department of Administration and Office of Energy Resources Ronald Renaud said that the state had $82,700 left to provide in rebates. Between Friday and Monday customers submitted requests for $105,850 in rebates.
The state’s program – paid for with federal stimulus dollars – offers rebates ranging from $100 to $500 on Energy Star-rated boilers, freezers, dishwashers, furnaces, refrigerators and water heaters. In creating the program, the federal government billed the initiative as a way to junk old, non-environmentally friendly appliances while sparking the economy.
When Rhode Island first launched the program in March, the money ran out in one day. But Renaud said some people that submitted rebate applications never collected the money because their purchases did not qualify or the paperwork was filled out incorrectly. That left $442,000 for a second round that launched July 21.
To apply for the rebate, visit the program’s website at www.RIrebates.com or call 1-877-359-5795.