CUB Applauds Appliance Rebate Program, Tells Illinois Consumers To Get to Stores Early on Friday

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Sep 21, 2010, 10:51 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Tuesday joined Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in reminding Land of Lincoln residents to get to participating stores early on Friday, Sept. 24, if they want to take advantage of 15 percent rebates (up to $250) on new, energy-efficient refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers, and freezers.

On Friday, the state of Illinois is offering approximately $3 million in rebates at participating stores from 8 a.m. until funding runs out. In a similar program in April, Illinois residents used $5 million in rebate funds in less than a day. The funding for the program in April and the one on Friday was provided by federal stimulus money (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

"Illinois consumers know that it pays to be energy efficient, and the rebate program proves it, literally," CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. "Our advice to Illinois consumers is to plan ahead and get to stores early on Friday."

Kolata said that programs like the rebate offering go hand in hand with a new online service, www.CUBEnergySaver.com. CUB Energy Saver builds a customized, money-saving plan for Illinois households, and so far it's been showing families how to cut their utility bills by $200 a year. Plus, ComEd customers can link their accounts to CUB Energy Saver and actually get rewarded with discounts at hundreds of Illinois stores when they earn points for cutting their electric bills. CUB hopes to expand the program to other utilities.

"Energy efficiency is good for the planet, and great for our pocketbooks," Kolata said. "One of the actions CUB Energy Saver recommends is buying energy-efficient appliances. Not only can that cut your electric bills, but if you're a ComEd customer it also could help you gain points for free or discounted items through CUB Energy Saver."

In order to be eligible for these "point-of-purchase" rebates, Illinois residents must:

Actually go to the participating retailer and buy the appliance on that day. (Rebates do not apply to online sales, but disabled individuals physically unable to make their purchases in stores may do so by calling a participating retailer.)
Replace an existing appliance with a new Energy Star-qualified model. You will have to certify that you are purchasing a replacement appliance at the store. Consumers replacing their refrigerator or freezer should explore their utility's recycling program to see if the electric company will haul away their old model.

The program is only for Illinois residents who intend to use the new appliance in their homes. (The rebates are not intended for multi-family building owners.) Buyers will be asked to supply their home zip code at the time of purchase. Each household is limited to one rebate for each type of appliance.

CUB has a fact sheet on the program at www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org. Consumers also can get more information, including a list of participating suppliers, at www.IllinoisEnergy.org/Appliances.

CUB is Illinois' leading nonprofit utility watchdog organization. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, CUB has saved consumers more than $10 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds over the years. For more information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline at 1-800-669-5556 or visit CUB's award-winning website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.

SOURCE Citizens Utility Board