UPDATED: Check out our latest posts about Maryland's Cash for Appliances program, which launched April 22.
If you've been awaiting the start of Maryland's version of the federal "Cash for Appliances" rebate program, your patience will be rewarded this week.
Starting Earth Day, April 22, state residents will be able to purchase super energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes washers and electric heat pump water heaters that qualify for $50 to $300 cash back, funded with stimulus program dollars.
Check the Maryland Energy Administration website for more details about how Cash for Appliances will work in this state, including lists of which models are eligible. Not just any Energy Star-rated fridge or washer will do --- you'll need a refrigerator that's 25 percent more efficient than the federal standard to get $50 back. Clothes washers have to meet the Consortium of Energy Efficiency's Tier 2 standards, with a "modified energy factor" of at least 2.0 and a "water factor" of at least 6.0 for consumers to receive $100. (Click here to find out what those terms mean.)
All Energy Star electric heat pump water heaters are eligible for a $300 rebate, however.
Customers of Maryland's five largest utilities (Baltimore Gas and Electric, Pepco, Delmarva Power, Allegheny Power and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative) will apply for the rebates through their utilities. The forms will be available on the utility Web sites and over time will also be available at retailers.
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
There are also the caveats. The rebates aren't retroactive, so only purchases made on or after April 22 qualify. You have to buy it in a Maryland store (or pay state sales tax if you buy online) and install the appliance in a Maryland home. This is for residential customers only --- not for property managers or landlords.
State officials estimate it will take several months to distribute the $5.4 million allocated for this program --- but that depends on consumer demand. Are you planning on taking advantage? Tell us your buying strategy in the comments below.
(photo: Business Wire)