(FL)State plans new clunker appliance program for central AC units

Orlando Sentinel ^ | June 30, 2010 | Diane C. Lade

[greatdefender]

Florida's wildly popular Cash for Clunker Appliances program soon will be reborn with a new twist: Rebates for clunker air conditioning systems.

State officials have approved a program that will give Floridians a flat fee rebate – yet to be determined -- for new Energy Star-rated central air conditioning and air source heat pumps systems purchased before the end of the year, said Brenda Buchan, the chief analyst with the Governor's Energy Office who managed the Energy Star appliance rebate program.

Window or room air conditioning units will not be included.

Buchan said Florida also is considering covering Energy Star hot water heaters in the new program but a decision has not yet been reached.

An added bonus: The state rebate, which will be funded with federal energy stimulus money allocated to Florida, can be combined with the federal energy tax credit available to those who purchase central air conditioning systems. That credit is due to expire at the end of the year. For more information on the federal tax credit, go to energystar.gov.

There are no details yet on the air conditioner program. Buchan said they should be announced in early August. The program could begin as early as the end of that month.

While the new offer probably will resemble cash for clunker appliances, Buchan said there will be no reservations or priority numbers required. The appliance program, which offered a 20 percent rebate on six types of new appliances, required consumers to first register for a priority number, to ensure there was enough funds to process all rebate applications in the pipeline.

[Colvin]

More transfer of our bucks overseas?