Welcome to

Today was the deadline for all 50 states to submit plans to offer rebates on energy savings appliances. Florida is expecting over 17 million dollars to be returned to consumers over ten days in April, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, some dealers are wondering why the state is waiting so long.

Nationwide, 300 million dollars will be available for energy-saving appliance rebates. 17 and a half million will go to Florida customers who purchase one of six items.

Included are: Gas Tank-less Water Heaters

Room Air Conditioners

Clothes Washers

Refrigerators

Dishwashers

and Freezers.

Customers will see 20 percent rebates, up to 15 hundred dollars, but the state’s plan has them available only from next April 16th through the 25th.

“Looking at the recession, these appliances haven’t been moving,” Jeremy Susac with the Governor’s Energy Office said. “That was the impetus behind funding this initiative.”

The Florida Retail Federation, which represents big chains, helped negotiate the April dates to make sure stock would be available.

“If you’re going to increase demand, and we hope this will increase demand, you do need to give the manufacturers time to get the appliances in the store,” Samantha Padgett with FRF said.

During the 10 day program, the state estimates that the retailers will sell as many as 65,000 appliances.

But small retailers worry that other states with earlier dates could use up the nation’s inventory before Florida’s rebates begin.

“I’m a little bit concerned that there’s the possibility of stores actually selling out and manufacturers maybe not being able to supply products in a timely manner with such a tight time frame,” appliance store owner Ray Monroe said.

If there’s cash left at the end, the state says it will offer a second rebate on the best selling appliances.

If all 65 thousand appliances sell, energy savings would be equal to the electricity used by about 700 homes each year.