Save some green on a new energy-efficient appliance on Earth Day

Pay zero sales tax on the purchase of new Energy Star appliances, get rebates for recycling, save money off your utility bills and have your old bulky items hauled away for free.

Earth Day is Wednesday and in celebration many states are helping consumers to go green and to save some green —money that is.

If you live in Missouri, you will not have to pay the 4.225 percent state sales tax on the purchase of Energy Star-qualified appliances during the “Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday” going on today through Saturday, April 25.

For Michigan residents, you can receive 10 percent off the cost (up to $75) of a new washer and dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator through 2011.

To see what rebates programs are available for your state or city, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, www.dsireusa.org. The database also includes local utility companies, as many of them are offering rebates as well for the purchase of qualified energy appliances.

Not only will all these programs save you money off the purchase of your new appliance, but your new energy-efficient appliance will save you money each and every year by lowering your utility bills. For example, replacing a refrigerator built before 1990 will shave $200 off your yearly electric bill.

After buying your new appliance, be sure to help the Earth out by recycling your old appliance. In some cases you can do this for free or actually earn money off your old appliance. Check with your utility company if they offer any energy rebates or recycling programs. Some companies will offer you money in the form of a “rebate” which you can use against future energy bills, sort of like a gift certificate.

For example, if you are a Nebraska resident you can get a $35 rebate check for recycling old, energy-wasting refrigerators and freezers.  The Nebraska Public Power District’s refrigerator recycling program includes free pickup of refrigerators and freezers, and a  $35 rebate check for you. Electric customers of any participating utility can take advantage of the program by calling 866-444-9160 or visiting www.appliancerecycling.com to schedule a free pickup.

If you live in Winter Haven, Florida, you can recycle your old appliances for free on Wednesday. Residents can have bulk items removed from the curb which they would otherwise be charged for. Items included in the service include:  mattresses, appliances like refrigerators, dryers, water heaters, TVs and other electronic items.

There are tons of other program similar to these out there. Be sure to look for such programs around where you live as the Earth Day holiday is helping more people than ever save the planet and save some money.

Helpful links

• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
• www.appliancerecycling.com
• Find local Earth Day Events in your community

Blog round up: Win four new Frigidaire kitchen appliances; Zero-interest appliance loans and rebate programs

Enter for your chance to win four new, professional series kitchen appliances by Frigidaire. The stainless steel kitchen appliances — oven, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave – are the grand prize in the “Sister Schubert’s On a Roll Recipe Contest”.

As you can tell by the name, it’s a recipe contest, and the T. Marzetti Company wants you to submit your original recipes made with any variety of Sister Schubert’s Homemade Rolls. Entries will be judged on originality, taste appeal, simplicity and appearance, and can be entered in one of four categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Anytime Snacks, Holiday & Parties and Dinnertime Meals.

The first runner-up prize isn’t too shabby either, $1,000 in cash; the first 500 entries will receive a $1.00-off Internet coupon for any Sister Schubert’s item.

Visit these websites for more details: www.sisterschuberts.com or www.onarollcontest.com.

Zero-interest appliance loans and appliance rebate programs for Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins Utilities are offering lots of incentives to get people to switch to energy-efficient appliances.

Here’s a story about all the appliance-related programs available to folks in Fort Collins, Colorado. According to an article by the Coloradoan.com Website, Fort Collins Utilities are offering zero-interest loans to their customers to buy new clothes and dish washers. For more information visit their website: www.fcgov.com/zilch.

Fort Collins Utilities are also crediting utility accounts ($25 – $50) for customers purchasing a qualified Energy Star dishwasher or high-efficiency clothes washer. Visit www.fcgov.com/rfr or www.fcgov.com/washer-rebates for more details.

Fort Collins Utilities will also pick up your old appliance for free and dispose of it in an environmentally-friendly way.  Old freezers, dishwashers and/or clothes washers will be recycled, and not end up in landfills. Customers will also receive a $35 bill credit by recycling their older appliances. For more information go online to http://www.fcgov.com/conservation/res-frige.php, or to schedule a pick up, e-mail them at utilities@fcgov.com or call (970) 221-6700.

Read this article to see how much money you could save on your electric bills by switching to a new energy efficient appliance:  ”Stock up while helping wash away landfill waste“.

So are your area utility companies offering you money back or helping you to recycle your appliance? Let me know in the comments!