Alliant Energy: Encouraging customers to utilize appliance rebate program

Media Contact: Scott Reigstad (608) 458-3145

Initiative will make new appliances more affordable, provide energy bill savings

MADISON, WI – December 16, 2009 – If you are considering replacing the older appliances in your home, 2010 may be the year to do it. Alliant Energy is encouraging its Wisconsin customers to take advantage of the new State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) next year to receive Cash-Back Rewards to purchase new ENERGY STAR® qualified or high efficiency appliances and equipment when they replace their used ones.

Starting January 1, 2010, as part of funding awarded to the state under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – widely known as the federal stimulus package – all Wisconsin residents will have the opportunity to become more energy efficient while saving money through the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The initiative is being administered by Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide resource for energy efficiency and renewable energy.

“If homeowners have been considering purchasing new appliances at some point, it’s an ideal time to do so in 2010 under this program,” said Linda Mattes, Alliant Energy Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables. “Appliances, water heaters, and heating and cooling equipment are among the largest energy users in a home and replacing them with newer, more efficient models will save families money in the long run.”

SEEARP provides consumers Cash-Back Rewards to buy new ENERGY STAR qualified or high efficiency appliances to replace their used ones. The amount of the reward will vary depending on what kind of unit is being replaced. Appliances include refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, boilers, central air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and water heaters.

The Cash-Back rewards will not be retroactive. Rewards are for replacement appliances only. Appliances installed in new construction are not eligible for rewards. Consumers purchasing multiple qualifying appliances for their residence can receive Cash-Back Rewards for each purchase. The program is for residential customers only. Businesses, including landlords, are not eligible.

Consumers will receive a mail in reward application at the time of purchase directly from their retailer or contractor. Within 30 days consumers will need to fill out the form and attach a copy of the purchase receipt. For appliances containing refrigerant such as central air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers the consumer will also need to provide proof of recycling.

There are several options for achieving the program’s recycling requirements including:

* Recycling via retailers. Many retailers offer pick-up of the old appliance as part of the delivery of the new unit purchased.

* Recycling via public or private recycling services. Consumers who choose to recycle their old unit through a recycling program or service must provide a copy of the paper work along with a copy of the invoice for the purchase of a new qualified model in order to be eligible for the rebate. Consumers can call their local sanitation department or look in the yellow pages under recycling to see what options are available in their community.

* Recycling via contractors. Consumers replacing their old central air conditioner through the program will be allowed to work with their HVAC contractor to recycle and dispose of the old unit.

In addition to traditional water heaters, solar hot water systems are also eligible for a Cash-Back Reward. Consumers must first submit an application to Focus on Energy to ensure the solar hot water system meets program requirements. Upon approval of the application, consumers will have 60 days to install the system and submit a final invoice.

The State of Wisconsin has been allocated $5.4 million for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. It will last until funds are exhausted. To learn more about the program, call (800) 762-7077 or visit focusonenergy.com/recovery.

Replacing old units with new energy efficient ones can make a difference on utility bills. In fact, ENERGY STAR qualified appliances use 10 percent to 50 percent less energy than standard models.