RALEIGH – North Carolinians will be able to save on major appliance purchases while putting $8.8 million in federal recovery funds to work stimulating the economy, cutting energy use and cutting greenhouse gas emissions under a plan filed today by the State Energy Office with the U.S. Department of Energy. The plan calls for rebates of 15 percent for consumers who replace major home appliances with Energy Star-rated appliances over a four-day period next spring during Earth Day weekend – Thursday April 22 through Sunday April 25, 2010. Energy Star rebates will be in addition to any store, manufacturer or other discounts being offered.

“Consumers can make smart choices by replacing older energy-gobbling clunkers with efficient Energy Star appliances that save money, cut utility bills and grow our state’s economy,” said John Morrison, assistant secretary for energy with the N.C. Department of Commerce. “This is good for the environment, will create jobs and help manage energy consumption.”

The Energy Star Rebate program will be conducted in two phases. The first will offer a 15 percent rebate on qualified Energy Star household appliances (clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers) during Earth Day weekend. Rebates for consumers will be instant at the retailer.

A second phase, in June, will offer rebates of 15 percent on gas storage water heaters, tankless gas water heaters, central air conditioners, heat pumps and gas furnaces through electric and gas utility programs.

By replacing older, conventional appliances with the 49,960 Energy Star items that are expected to be purchased during the program, enough electricity will be saved to power 536 homes for a year. Natural gas savings would serve 390 homes for a year.

The energy savings can be significant. For example, a new Energy Star-rated refrigerator uses half the electricity that the same size refrigerator built before 1995 uses.

North Carolina is receiving $8.8 million in federal funds to help homeowners purchase energy-efficient appliances, from furnaces and room air conditioners to refrigerators and dishwashers. The funds are part of nearly $300 million from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act being distributed nationwide by the U.S. Department of Energy.

North Carolina also offers a sales-tax-free holiday weekend in November on the purchase of specific Energy Star products (clothes washers, freezers and refrigerators, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats). Consumers will save 7.75 percent on their purchases, in addition to any retailer discounts. This year, it is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8.