ATLANTA — Starting Feb. 12, the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program will provide Georgia residents with rebates ranging from $25 to $199 on ENERGY STAR rated appliances.  ENERGY STAR appliances eligible for the program include clothes washers, dishwashers, air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers. The total amount available for rebates is $8.6 million. Purchases made prior to Feb. 12, 2010, will not be eligible.

“The opportunity to receive rebates on the purchase of energy efficient appliances starts Feb. 12,” said GEFA Executive Director Phil Foil. “Georgians can participate in the rebate program by applying at GeorgiaRebate.com immediately following their appliance purchase.”

Georgia residents with a valid residential address who purchase a qualified ENERGY STAR appliance from a Georgia retailer will be eligible to receive the assigned rebate for that appliance. Rebates are limited to one rebate per appliance type per household. For example, a consumer who purchases two of the same appliance would qualify for only one rebate, but a consumer who purchases two different appliances would qualify for two separate rebates. Separate rebate applications must be completed for each appliance purchased. The maximum rebate limit per household is $1,200.  

When the program launches Feb. 12, consumers and/or retailers will be able to confirm the availability of remaining funds by checking www.GeorgiaRebate.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-296-1633. The Web site and the phone number will provide a current estimate on the funds remaining in the program and the approximate number of days until funding is depleted.  The rebates will be awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis until the funding is depleted.

Following the appliance purchase, customers will be responsible for immediately applying for the rebate at www.GeorgiaRebate.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-296-1633.  When the application process is complete, a rebate form will be provided through the Web site or via U.S. mail if the toll-free number is used to apply. The rebate form and a copy of the sales receipt will then be mailed by the customer to the address on the rebate form. The sales receipt must verify that a qualifying ENERGY STAR appliance was purchased. Qualified appliances must be purchased from a retailer within the state of Georgia. Online and out-of-state purchases do not qualify.

Once the rebate claim is physically received and the receipt is verified, the customer’s rebate will be approved and payment will be mailed. Rebates will be issued in the form of a Visa Prepaid Card preloaded with the rebate amount within two to three weeks from mailing the required forms and receipts. Approximately 100,000 rebates are expected to be issued through the program. Guides for retailers and consumers are available at www.GeorgiaRebate.com.

Participants are required to recycle refrigerators and freezers and are strongly encouraged to recycle all other appliances.
Recycling arrangements can be coordinated with the retailer or by visiting www.YouGottaBeKidding.org.

Participants in the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program will have the opportunity to join the Governor’s Energy Challenge, which is a voluntary program encouraging businesses, individuals, not-for-profits, schools, and local governments to reduce their energy consumption 15 percent.