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 appliancesd atdiscount rates, lower utilitty costs and benefit Floridq businesses by stimulating sales of energy-efficient appliances,” Gov. Charlie Crist said in a preszs releaseMay 18. Althouggh the bill was signed last week, the projected time for the prograk to be administered is probablyy sometimethis fall. Consumers will not be eligible for the rebates until then because some of the detailzs of the program still need to beworkesd out, said Jeremy Susac, the executive director of Crist’ Energy Office.
The specific amounts for the rebatez must be approved by the legislative budget and Crist’s office is still waiting for guidances from the federal government on how exactly the progran will work, Susac said. The FECC is expectinb Florida toreceive $18 million in federal stimulus funds to provide the rebatwe program. In addition, the Florida legislaturwe is giving $150,000 to the FECC to help them put the plan into All of this should help Floridians save 20 percenrt on the costof energy-efficient appliances. “This is what we are Susac said.
“We are lookinfg at 20 percent all across the With the 20percent rebate, consumers could save $290 on $200 on washing machines, freezers and dishwashers, $65 on room air conditionerw and $40 on dehumidifiers. Only laundrt and kitchen home appliances with the Energy Star labekl will be eligible for the All Energy Star appliances meet strict energy efficiencg guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agencyand U.S. Department of but certain items like flat screen televisions are not Susac said.
Even though they use the most energy out of all the home certain kitchen itemslike microwaves, ovens and stove tops are also not included because they have yet to be regulated by Energhy Star in the United States, said Michael Setzer, the owner of Setzer’ds appliance dealer in Jacksonville. Energy Star appliances do cost an averageof $50 to $100 more than the standarf versions because of the advanced technologies, he but the rebate should lighten the making it almost cheaper to buy the Energ Star product. “You don’t have to spend $1,00p to have an Energy Star,” Setzer said. “Energyy Star has cheaper models now.
I have a $300 dishwasherf and a $800 refrigerator in my store that are allEnergt Star.” In addition, the investment will cause consumers’ utilitu bills to go down in dollar amount. Customerss should recover their costs ofthe energy-efficieng appliance on their monthly bills within five to six According to Energy Star’s Web site, thei r appliances can save consumers $75 a year in energgy costs, and they use 10 to 20 percent less energuy and water than traditionapl models, making them better for the environment. For a front-loading Energy Star washing machinew uses 16 to 18 gallonxs of water versus thetraditional top-loading appliance that uses 40 gallons.
“Ij don’t know if our sales will go up becauswe 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 people to get theifmoney back.” Business has been slow durin the economic downturn at both Setzer’sa locations here in Jacksonville and Ocala, but it’s stilo going pretty steady because peoplse are always going to need refrigerators and he said. In addition, 75 to 80 percent of the appliances he sells areEnerggy Star, so Setzer said he’s very hopeful.
Energy Star is also excited for the rebate prograjm to go into effect because the Floridwa proposalis unprecedented, an Energy Star spokesperson In years past, rebates have caused a jump in their sales, but they have neverr had a rebate program like this