Cash for clunkers: the sequel appliances

By ELISE FRANCO

efranco@vindy.com

Ohio residents are about to catch another break. The Ohio Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program begins today and will run through April 12 but may end sooner if the more than $11 million in rebate funds are depleted.

Mail-in rebates are available by logging on to www.ohioappliancerebate.com starting at 8 a.m. today for Ohio residents wishing to purchase Energy Star refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, electric heat-pump water heaters and high-efficiency gas storage water heaters.

The rebates are $100 for a refrigerator, dishwasher or high-efficiency gas storage water heater; $150 for a washing machine; and $250 for an electric heat-pump water heater.

Customers are eligible for multiple rebates, but only one rebate per type of appliance will be honored, and new purchases must be for the same type of appliance the customer plans to trade in, according to the Web site.

Kris Siman, Boardman Sears store manager, said Sears delivery service will pick up the trade-in appliance upon drop-off of the new appliance. All old appliances will be recycled.

Siman said she expects an influx of customers over the next several days and possibly weeks.

“We’re very excited about being a part of this program,” she said. “It’s going to bring in a lot of business for us.”

Siman said once customers fill out their rebate they have three days to make a purchase and the money is first come, first served. She suggests that anyone serious about participating should sign up right away.

“We have no idea what to expect. Some of the other states ran out [of money] on the first day,” she said. “We were told on a conference call [Wednesday] that they’re looking for it to be gone by [Friday night.]”

Dan Torrence, sales manager for Sheely’s in North Lima, said customers intending to use the rebate have been browsing for some time.

“We’ve had customers coming in for months, and they’ve all been looking forward to it,” he said. “Those people who have been able to wait have been waiting.”

Torrence said Sheely’s is expecting increased business as well and has staffed the store accordingly.

“I think any time you run promotion it’s a positive thing,” he said. “Getting your nam e out there along with money back to a customer is a plus.”

Siman said for today only, Sears is also offering 15 percent off any appliance in the store on top of the rebate as an incentive.

“A lot of people have already been very receptive,” she said.

Sheely’s is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Sears will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and Saturday only and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For more information or to register, visit www.ohioappliancerebate.com

WHERE TO GO

The Ohio Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program begins today and will run through April 12. The program has allotted more than $11 million for Ohio residents wishing to purchase new Energy Star appliances. Many area stores are participating in the program.

Austintown: Home Depot, 6200 Mahoning Ave. Boardman: Home Depot: 7001 Southern Blvd. Best Buy: 561 Boardman-Poland Road. Sears: 7401 Market St. Lowe’s: 1100 Doral Drive. Niles: Best Buy: 5815 Youngstown-Warren Road. Sears: 5320 Youngstown Road. North Lima: Sheely’s Furniture and Appliance: 11450 South Ave. Salem: Home Depot: 2900 E. State St. Struthers: Semach’s Northside TV and Appliance: 864 Youngstown-Poland Road. Howland: Home Depot: 1900 Niles-Cortland Road. Lowe’s: 940 Niles-Cortland Road. Source: www.ohioappliancerebate.com