Earth Day: April 22nd

If you're frustrated with escalating energy bills, have an old appliance that's guzzling electricity, consider doing your homework and participating in the program explained below.

While you're at it, take a look at some of the other information available on the Mass Save site that might offer solutions to pocket the savings.

Appliance exchange program coming next month


Starting on April 22 — Earth Day — Massachusetts residents can get money back when they replace their current home appliances with new, more energy-efficient versions.

The Great Appliance Exchange, as the initiative has been dubbed, will run until May 5 and provide rebates ranging from $50 to $250 when consumers buy approved washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers.

The Great Appliance Exchange
What you get

Rebates on purchases of energy-efficient appliances: $250 for dishwashers, $200 for refrigerators, $175 for washing machines and $50 for freezers.

For more information

Visit masssave.com and click on 'For Your Home,' or call 617-626-7350.
The appliances included in the program are all Energy Star certified, a designation that indicates a product offers significant energy savings and is more energy-efficient than others of its type.

Purchases must be made from approved retailers, buyers must have their new appliances delivered to their home and old appliances must be hauled away for recycling when the new machines are delivered.

The $6.2 million program, funded by money from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, is intended to spur sales at Bay State businesses and to generate energy savings for consumers.

Prospective appliance buyers interested in participating must first reserve their rebates online; the reservation form will be available at masssave.com on April 22. Consumers will be able to make reservations for as long as funds remain available.

"If you get a reservation and you follow all the other steps "» then the rebate is assured," said Lisa Capone, spokeswoman for the state Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

New appliances must be purchased by May 5 in order to be eligible for the rebate.

Twelve Cape and Islands locations are among the program's approved appliance stores.

At Wright's TV's and Appliances in Harwich, customers have already started inquiring about the program, said manager Ron Boyle.

"They're very eager," he said. "It will be a lot of business for us."

In Provincetown, potential buyers have been less curious, said Debbie Trovato, co-owner of Joe and Son Appliance Center.

"It doesn't really appear that too many people know about it," she said.

While she hopes the initiative will bring in some business, she also noted the program's potential for spreading awareness of local environmental concerns and the benefits of energy efficient appliances.

"Hopefully it will make people more aware of the energy savings and how they help the environment by doing this," she said.