New York to offer rebates on high-efficiency appliances

Here's some good news for storm-battered New Yorkers. Starting tomorrow, the state is offering rebates on high-efficiency refrigerators and clothes washers. New York has $3 million to dole out in its "Buy Green, Save Green" program so if you lost one of those appliances to Irene, now's a good time to replace it. To accommodate early shoppers, Sears is opening its New York stores at 5 a.m. Friday.

The rebates amount to $350 for a high-efficiency refrigerator and $250 for a high-efficiency washing machine. Check the website of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency for qualifying refrigerators and washing machines—only tier 2 and tier 3 models, the most efficient, are eligible.

We took a look at the refrigerator list and saw some CR Best Buys, including the LG LFC25776[SW] bottom freezer ($1,350 to $1,800), the Frigidaire Gallery FGUI2149L[P] top freezer ($700) and the Maytag MSD2559XE[W] side-by-side ($1,130 to $1,260). There are other good choices and you can cross-reference the CEE list with our refrigerator Ratings.

CR Best Buy washing machines eligible for rebates include five front-loaders: the Kenmore 4027[2] ($690), the GE WCVH6800J[WW] ($750), the Whirlpool WFW9050X[W] ($600), the Maytag 2000 Series MHWE200X[W] ($500 to $680), and the Kenmore 4903[2] ($550). Four CR Best Buy top loaders are also on the list including the Kenmore 2800[2] ($640), the Whirlpool Cabrio WTW5700X[W] ($640 to $715), the Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6300W[W] ($800), and the Maytag Bravos MVWB300W[Q] ($600 to $690).

Sears is offering 25 percent off all Kenmore appliances this Friday and Saturday as well as 10 percent off appliances $499 or more if you use your Sears card. Taking advantage of those discounts as well as the rebate could net you a very good deal. Lowe's and Home Depot are also discounting some appliances—check their websites for details.

New York's rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis for completed applications until the money runs out or until April 20, 2012, whichever comes first. To claim a rebate, consumers can print out the application form and mail it in with the required purchase receipt or call the program hotline at 1-877-NY-SMART to fill out the form over the phone, then mail in the receipt.

If you don't live in New York, check the EnergySavers website to see if appliance rebates are still available in your state.

—Mary H.J. Farrell