If you didn't get a chance to take advantage of the latest rebate on high-efficiency refrigerators and washing machines, you're out of luck.
Five days after the program began, it's over and no new applications are being accepted. It's all thanks to huge consumer demand.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) started the program last Friday. The "Buy Green, Save Green NYS High-Efficiency Appliance Rebate Program" was so successful that it ran out of money by 4 p.m. Sunday. The wait list, to be served on a first-come first-served basis if additional funds become available, closed at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
More than 14,000 applications came in for the program, including more than 3,000 on the wait list. Initially, there was $3 million available in rebates. Due to high demand, another $500,000 was added over the weekend. It all quickly ran out.
Rebates of $350 were available for high-efficiency refrigerators and $250 for high-efficiency clothes washers that met Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) super-efficiency levels (tiers 2 and 3).
Consumers who have completed an online or phone application are urged to mail their application with the original receipt to the processing center as soon as possible. To check the status of an application, click here or call 1-877-NY-SMART.
"We are very pleased at the enormous interest in the purchase of higher efficiency refrigerators and clothes washers, which use significantly less electricity and water than standard machines," said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "In addition, this program gave a boost to appliance retailers across the state."
Funding for the program was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP).
