Rhode Island will tap into federal stimulus funding for a rebate program in mid-March to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances.

The state will offer mail-in rebates toward the purchase of Energy Star-qualified appliances.

Eligible appliances and rebates are as follows:

• Dishwashers - $150
• Refrigerators - $150
• Freezers - $150
• Gas tankless water heaters (EF>=0.82) - $300
• Gas furnaces (90% AFUE or better) - $100
• Gas boilers (85% AFUE or better) - $500
• Gas furnaces (92%AFUE or better and ECM) - $400
• Gas boilers FHW (90% AFUE) - $1,000
• Combined HE boiler and water heating - $1,300
• Indirect water heaters - $300

Rebate applications will be available through a toll-free number that will connect residents with a yet-to-be chosen rebate processor.

Since there are limited funds available, rebates will be on a first-come-first-serve basis while funds last. The toll-free number will tell consumers how much money is left in the program. In some cases rebates might be combined with local utility or retailer rebate/discount programs.

The program is one of 56 State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs, popularly known as Cash for Appliances, that are being set up in the United States and six U.S. territories with the help of federal stimulus money.

Rhode Island will receive about $1 million of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the Cash for Appliances program, visit the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Web site or call 401-574-9120.