Following the overwhelming success of the Cash for Clunkers program, which moved 700,000 new vehicles off showroom floors, the U.S. Department of Energy is set to kick off a $300 million program to encourage energy efficient appliance purchases.

The grant program will provide cash rebates for purchase of heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters. According to the DOE, ENERGY STAR® qualified appliance categories eligible for rebates include central air conditioners, heat pumps (air source and geothermal), boilers, furnaces (oil and gas), room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, and water heaters.

State governments will administer the program and decide which appliances are covered and the level of rebates offered. States must must apply for the grants and submit a detailed plan by October 15th. The DOE has allocated Tennessee nearly $6 million for the program.

Laura Elkins of the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development tells KnoxViews that the state has submitted its application and is working on the program plan: "Our final plan detailing the specifics of how the program will work in our state is due to DOE by Oct. 15. Thereafter, we will need final approval on our plan from DOE before any details become available. As soon as we do receive approval (hopefully later this fall but we don't have a timeline at this point), we will be sure to get the word out to Tennessee consumers on how they can take advantage of this great program to help reduce their energy consumption."

See also:
• Department of Energy announcement
• Grant program funding requirements and details

Related:
• Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency