FirstEnergy pays customer rebate for old appliances

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Ohio’s FirstEnergy Corp. customers can participate in a new energy-saving program that allows them to receive up to a $50 cash rebate by recycling their old appliances.

Working refrigerators and freezers will net customers $50 before Nov. 1 and $35 after that date. Air conditioners will net $25.

The company says customers can save up to $150 each year by removing old refrigerators and freezers, which are less efficient than newer appliances.

Youngstown native Robert Skibo had four combined refrigerators and freezers before Wednesday, when JACO Environmental, which handles the Appliance Recycling Program, removed a 28-year-old refrigerator from his basement.

He said he rarely used the appliance and jumped at the opportunity to get it off his hands.

“I used it when there were parties coming up, but it made a lot of noise, so that’s why I kept it in the cellar,” he said.

FirstEnergy also says the environmental impact of removing one appliance has the same impact as taking two cars off the road for an entire year.

The program is the latest from FirstEnergy, which is trying to reduce electricity usage.

Under state law, investor-owned electric utilities must reduce electricity usage by 22.2 percent by 2025.

Customers interested in participating can call 877-545-4112 to schedule a pickup. JACO will pick up, remove and disassemble the appliances into recyclable materials.

Customers can recycle two refrigerators, freezers or air conditioners each year.

More information is available at www.energysaveOhio.com.