Vermont plans to beef up its existing year-round appliance rebate program just in time for the state's sales tax holiday in March thanks to $536,400 in federal stimulus money.

Vermont will receive the money as its share of the nearly $300 million available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Every state is setting up its own State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, popularly known as Cash for Appliances, to take advantage of the funding.

Efficiency Vermont, the state's efficiency utility, will roll out the bulk of its Save More with Energy Star program to coincide with the state's sales tax holiday on March 6.

Consumers who combine Vermont's existing appliance rebate funds with the new program can receive rebates between $100 and $800 for swapping their old clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners for Energy Star-rated appliances.

The Cash for Appliances funding also allowed the state to launch an earlier phase that started Jan. 1, with customers of Vermont Gas Systems eligible for rebates on natural gas furnaces, gas boilers and gas tankless hot water heaters.

Rebate forms must be accompanied by proof that the old appliance has been disposed of properly.

Efficiency Vermont is drawing up a list of qualifying appliances that will be distributed to retail partners around the state where mail-in rebate forms will be available. The rebate program runs until the funds run out.

For more information, call Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or Vermont Gas Systems at 863-4511, ext. 321.