Ohio will use $11M in stimulus money to offer rebates to people who replace old appliances

Ohio stimulus plan gives rebates on new appliances

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio will use $11 million federal stimulus money to provide rebates to people who buy energy efficient appliances for their homes.

The U.S. Department of Energy approved the state plan Thursday.

Ohio aims to provide about 90,000 rebates to consumers who replace old appliances with Energy Star certified refrigerators, clothes washers, dishwashers, gas heaters and electric heat pump water heaters.

The rebates range from $100 to $250, depending on the appliance.

The rebates are scheduled to become available in the first quarter of 2010. The Ohio Department of Development is working with appliance retailers and energy utilities to market the program.

Similar rebate programs have been approved in other states, including South Carolina and North Carolina.