Cash for Appliances program on the way

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Cash for Clunkers may be over, but the government has a new rebate program it plans to launch later this year. It's called Cash for Appliances.

Under the program, consumers will receive government funded rebates of up to $200. The rebates go towards the purchase of new energy efficient appliances like washers, refrigerators and dish washers.

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"What we're hoping to see is if these rebates come through, consumers can use them with the manufacturer's rebates and just give them a little additional savings," said hhgregg sales manager Nick Allison.

Carmel resident Wendy Meredith went to hhgregg to look for new appliances. But she was only looking. She plans to cash in on the government's Cash for Appliances program once it launches later in the year.

"I'm just really interested in saving a dollar," said Meredith.

While the federal program is not expected to begin until later this year, some local utilities like Citizens Energy are already offering rebates. The utility offers customers cash back when they purchase high efficiency furnaces, boilers and water heaters. While the program has been up and running for a year, the recession has put a damper on it.

Like appliance manufacturers and retailers, the utility hopes the upcoming cash for appliances program will get consumers spending their money on energy efficient items just like consumers did for the Cash for Clunker program.