Rebate Program Gives Low-Income Kansans a Boost
April 20, 2010
Ginger Webber is thrilled with her new refrigerator, upright freezer, and clothes washer. The Kansas resident got a voucher application in the mail, and figured it couldn't hurt to apply. She was surprised and very pleased that she qualified for the Kansas State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program in January, and got her new appliances in February.
"I was just amazed at how easy it was," says Ms. Webber. "I never had any new appliances before, and I was so excited to get the vouchers."
Administered by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, the state program provided $200-$800 vouchers for new ENERGY STAR® qualified room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, and refrigerators to low-income residents replacing appliances at least 10 years old. Al Dorsey, Director of the Kansas Division of Housing with Supportive Services, says the program has made a big difference in people's lives.
"We thought that providing a 100% rebate on the new appliances would encourage low-income people to replace old appliances. It would be very difficult for them if we provided $100 with the expectation that they would come up with the other $600. Now their lower utility bills mean they can save money for other things, like food, prescriptions, and transportation."
Kansas launched its rebate program in mid-December; the program proved so popular that funding, made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was exhausted in mid-February. Kansas provided approximately $2.5 million in vouchers to nearly 3,800 households. As required, retailers recycled the old appliances.
For more information on the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, visit the Energy Savers Web site. For more information on the Kansas program, visit the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation Web site.
