The V.I. Energy Office is now offering even more ways to save money with energy-efficient appliances. Recently the office expanded its list of qualifying appliance purchases to include Energy Star dishwashers, freezers, heat pumps and tank-less gas water heaters, Energy Office spokesman Don Buchanan said.
That’s in addition to rebates already offered for alternative energy equipment and other Energy Star appliances, like washers and dryers.
There’s only one catch.
"The dishwashers and freezers must be replacements for existing models that are not energy efficient," Buchanan said.
Tankless gas water heaters and heat pumps can be new purchases, Buchanan said.
The rebates on the aforementioned four items run 30 percent of the purchase price with a maximum rebate of $599. Rebates on the dishwashers, freezers, heat pumps and water heaters are limited to one per household.
This rebate program is retroactive to Feb. 1. How long it will last depends on when the money runs out. Buchanan said the Energy Office has a $104,000 grant from the federal Stimulus Funds program to subsidize the rebates.
How residents will prove they’re replacing old freezers and dishwashers remains undecided. The Energy Office will hold meetings with vendors of those appliances who want to participate in the rebate program to iron out the details.
They’re scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Planning and Natural Resources Department’s main conference room located on the second floor of the Cyril E. Airport terminal on St. Thomas.
On St. Croix, the meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Education Department’s Curriculum Center in Kingshill.
To get a rebate, people must be V.I. residents. Tax documents or identification may be required.
Additionally, the items must be purchased from approved vendors in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Consumers must apply for rebates within 30 days of purchase. Rebates will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will be issued to consumers within 30 to 60 days after the application is received.
Participants in this program are also eligible to participate in the Energy Office’s rebate programs on other Energy Star appliances and alternative energy equipment.
Buchanan said many people are participating in the appliance program, but few people are interested in the alternative energy rebates.
The Energy Office last week made a change in its photovoltaic panel rebate program. It previously offered $3.50 per watt, but Buchanan said that federal guidelines limited the rebate to 50 percent of the purchase price.
"Fifty percent is still a good deal," he said.
Applications for all rebate programs as well as more information are available at www.vienergy.org. This program is referred to as the Energy Star State Appliance Rebate Program.
For more info, call 774-3320 on St. Thomas and St. John or 773-1082 on St. Croix.
