The rebates being handed out for old cars ended Monday.Now these new clunkers aren’t in the garage, but in the kitchen.
The federal government has set aside about $300-million for states to use to give out rebates to buyers of energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers.
While some details are still being worked out, appliance dealers are eager that a new cash for clunkers will help business.
“After the success of the cash for clunkers (cars), I figured this isn’t a bad follow-up program,” said Nick Carter, owner of Bowling Green Appliance Center.
For Carter, sales of new appliances have been a bit slow.
“It’s been a little soft. Our service has been up. Folks have decided to fix old ones instead of buying new ones,” he said.
But that could soon change with a recent federal rebate program now in the works.
“If you can help the environment and save some money at the same time it’s a win-win situation,” Carter said.
The goal is similar to the past clunkers program, which offered car buyers money if they traded a gas guzzler for something a little more fuel efficient.
This time, the trick is to get less energy-efficient appliances out of your home.
“Some of these things don’t cost much more than a light bulb to run,” Carter said.
As early as October, you could see rebates as high as $200 off the price of appliances with an energy-star rating.
Still, some aren’t yet convinced this clunkers program is a good idea.
“I know they’re doing that to try and boost the economy,” said Gordon Shuffitt, a long-time Warren County resident.
Shuffitt says problems with the past clunkers program concern him about the new one.
“Look at the cars, these guys haven’t even been paid, a lot of them haven’t yet. Some of them are owed $300-thousand–small dealers,” Shuffitt said.
Still, appliance dealers are hoping the rebates spur sales, boosting an industry that tough times have made struggle.
“Of course, we all want the economy to be better, but the consumer wins in this. It’s a good time to buy,” Carter said.
Carter says he’s spoken with appliance manufacturers who say they’re also going to offer their own discounts that coincide with the federal rebate as well.
Unlike the cash for clunkers car program, you won’t have to turn in your old appliances in order to receive cash back.
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