Georgia to get $9.3 million for appliance rebate program

By LARRY HARTSTEIN

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia will get $9.3 million to help consumers buy energy-efficient home appliances.

The rebate program should start late this year or early next, but it remains unclear which appliances will be covered and how big the rebates will be.

“We want to set up the program so as many people as possible can take advantage of it,” said Shane Hix, spokesman for the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority.

“While $9.3 million sounds like a lot, it can only go so far,” he continued. “We’ll have to find the best way to manage the program and roll it out in a way that as many people as possible can take advantage, and still provide a reasonable rebate on these products.”

The agency will take bids from vendors experienced in running rebate programs. After choosing one, the agency will submit its plan to the federal government by Oct. 15. Georgia’s $9.3 million allocation was based on population.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends states choose among these appliances for their individual rebate programs: boilers, central air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, furnaces, heat pumps, refrigerators, room air conditioners and water heaters.

“We’ll be looking at which appliances make the most sense for Georgia,” Hix said.