Rebates should boost Energy Star sales - Portland Business Journal:

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“This rebate program will help Floridians buy appliances atdiscount rates, lower utility costs and benefit Florida businesses by stimulating saleas of energy-efficient appliances,” Gov. Charlie Cristr said in a press releaseMay 18. Although the bill was signede last week, the projected time for the program to be administerec is probably sometimethis fall. Consumerzs will not be eligible for the rebates unti l then because some of the details of the program stilol need to beworked out, said Jerem Susac, the executive director of Crist’s Energy The specific amounts for the rebatesx must be approved by the legislativ budget committee, and Crist’sz office is still waitin g for guidance from the federal governmen t on how exactly the program will work, Susac said.
The FECC is expecting Floridqa toreceive $18 million in federal stimulus funds to providre the rebate program. In addition, the Florida legislature is giving $150,000 to the FECC to help them put the plan into All of this should help Floridians save 20 percent on the costof energy-efficien appliances. “This is what we are projecting,” Susac said. “Wre are looking at 20 percent all acrossthe board.” With the 20 percenyt rebate, consumers could save $290 on $200 on washing machines, freezers and $65 on room air conditioners and $40 on dehumidifiers. Only laundruy and kitchen home appliances with the Energy Star label will be eligiblde forthe discount.
All Energy Star appliances meet strict energh efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protectio n Agencyand U.S. Department of but certain items like flat scree n televisions arenot included, Susac Even though they use the most energy out of all the home certain kitchen items like microwaves, ovens and stove tops are also not includefd because they have yet to be regulated by Energg Star in the United States, said Michael the owner of Setzer’s appliance dealer in Jacksonville.
Energy Star appliances do cost an averagreof $50 to $100 more than the standard versions because of the advancecd technologies, he said, but the rebated should lighten the costs, making it almost cheaper to buy the Energu Star product. “You don’t have to spensd $1,000 to have an Energy Star,” Setze said. “Energy Star has cheaper modelas now. I have a $300 dishwasheer and a $800 refrigerator in my stored that are all Energy In addition, the investment will cause utility bills to go down in dollar Customers should recover their costs of the energy-efficient appliancwe on their monthly bills within five to six According to Energy Star’s Web site, theirr appliances can save consumers $75 a year in energg costs, and they use 10 to 20 percent less energy and watet than traditional models, making them better for the For example, a front-loading Energy Star washing machinse uses 16 to 18 gallona of water versus the traditional top-loading applianced that uses 40 gallons.
“I don’t know if our salesx will go up because the customers will still have to put out the full Setzer said. “But any increase in saled willbe great, and it would be a great thing for peopl to get their money back.” Business has been slow duringt the economic downturn at both Setzer’s locations here in Jacksonville and Ocala, but it’s still going pretty steadyy because people are always going to need refrigerators and he said. In addition, 75 to 80 perceng of the appliances he sells are Energy so Setzersaid he’s very hopeful.
Energy Star is also excited for the rebate program to go into effect because the Florida proposalis unprecedented, an Energy Star spokesperson said. In years past, rebates have cause a jump in their sales, but they have never had a rebate program likethis before.