Cash for “Appliance Clunkers” in April

March 18, 2010 - PRLog -- Southwest Florida residents looking to replace an old cranky refrigerator, reduce their energy bills or make an income tax refund go further may want to consider heading to Home-Tech’s showroom between April 16 – 25. For 10 days only, Florida residents can get 20 percent of the price of a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator, clothes washing machine, dishwasher, freezer, room air conditioner, or gas-tankless water heater back as a cash rebate from the state. Plus, they’ll get an extra $75 for recycling the units they replace.

“This is a great time for homeowners who have been thinking of getting a new appliance to do so,” says Mike Hendershott, sales manager for Home-Tech. “It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to save.”

Residents who purchase multiple new appliances and recycle old ones can apply for a rebate or incentive on one type of each eligible appliance, up to a maximum of $1,500 per address.  The state will award rebates on a first come, first served basis until the program budget is depleted. According to program information on the Florida Energy & Climate Commission Web site, the state is allocating $17,585,466 of the funding it received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to implement the program. It states that a small portion of the money will be used to administer the program, with the rest being used to provide rebates on purchases of ENERGY STAR appliances and incentives to recycle old appliances.

For Home-Tech’s service agreement customers, the deal is even sweeter: those with Gold service level agreements already get a discount off Home-Tech’s retail appliance prices. The ENERGY STAR rebate is offered on top of these savings. Customers who do not currently have a service agreement can sign up for Gold coverage and also receive both Home-Tech’s Gold discount pricing and the state rebate.

“Gold-discount price savings often cover the cost of a one-year service agreement in and of themselves,” Hendershott says. “When you also figure in the state rebate, the savings really add up. Customers could even buy multiple-year service agreements to lock in today’s premium price and spend roughly the same amount on their appliance when they get their rebate from the state.

“By adding a service agreement, you’re not just buying an appliance, you’re also buying piece of mind,” Hendershott adds. “And the service agreement covers all of the appliances in your home, not just the one you purchase.”

Unlike the original “Cash for Clunkers” incentive that applied to automobiles, customers must apply for rebates on their own following purchase – dealers will not apply the rebates to their purchase price. Hendershott encourages customers to buy and apply for their rebates early to maximize their savings.

“We anticipate a lot of demand for appliances,” Hendershott says. “Manufacturers have been working to build up inventory, but customers should still shop early for the best selection.” Home-Tech stocks a wide array of ENERGY STAR refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers that qualify for the program. Unlike “big box” stores, Home-Tech also services appliances, so its sales representatives have inside knowledge of each model and can help customers choose the best option to meet their needs.

More information on the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program can be found online at www.myfloridaclimate.com. Home-Tech’s entire appliance lineup can be viewed online at www.home-tech.com, or in store between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About Home-Tech
Based in Fort Myers, employee-owned Home-Tech has been an industry leader and trendsetter in the fields of air conditioning service and installation, major appliance sales and service, home-service agreements for nearly three decades.  Founded in 1981 by Steve Marino, who continues as President and Chairman of the Board, the privately held Home-Tech employs over 115 people and provides services in Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties in Southwest Florida. Home-Tech operates from two principal locations.  Its headquarters, tech training facility and appliance showroom are located at 6400 Techster Boulevard in Fort Myers and a second office at 720 Commerce Drive in Venice which services Manatee and Sarasota counties. For more information about Home-Tech, visit www.Home-Tech.com or call (239) 433-3344.


Sidebar:
Energy Efficient Appliance Rebates at a glance
April 16 – 25, 2010
20 percent rebate off the purchase price of these new ENERGY STAR appliances:

•   Refrigerators
•   clothes washing machines
•   dishwashers
•   freezers
•   room air conditioners
•   gas-tankless water heaters

$75 incentive to recycle these types of old appliances
Source: Florida Energy & Climate Commission

Shop Home-Tech’s selection
•   online anytime at www.home-tech.com
•   in-store between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at 6400 Techster Boulevard, Fort Myers
•   Home-Tech Gold Service Agreement customers also receive member discount pricing