Details about the economic stimulus appliance rebate still up in the air

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is getting ready to dole out $300 million in economic stimulus money to the states as parts of a plan to get consumers to buy new, energy- efficient, Energy Star appliances.

The program, scheduled to launch sometime in late November, will be administered by each state and the rules governing what appliances qualify, what the rebate amounts will be, and who will keep track of the program must be finalized by the states by October 15.

Right now the program is vague as no national standard exists and each state will run its own cash for appliances program. In fact, most states are seeking input from their constituents. To give your input, contact your state representative or visit your state’s website.

However, according to an article from the Wall Street Journal, “Rebates will be available only for products with the government’s Energy Star label, a symbol that the appliance meets energy efficiency guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the DOE.”

The DOE is making recommendations to the states on what appliances should qualify and recommends in room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, freezers, and refrigerators because these appliances offer the greatest energy-saving potential.

Unlike the Cash for Clunkers program, consumers will not have to turn in their old appliances in order to receive the rebate. In fact, thanks to the many programs offered by utility and state agencies across the country, consumers can get even more money by recycling their old appliances.

If you are a California resident, visit the Flex Your Power Website and enter your zip code to find appliance rebates in your area. The Flex Your Power Website is run by a partnership between utilities, residents, businesses, and other nonprofit agencies, all working to save energy.

If you are a New Jersey resident, get a cash rebate of $30 for your working Refrigerators and Freezers in addition to free pick up and recycling. To schedule the pickup of a refrigerator or freezer for recycling, New Jersey residents can call (877) 270-3520 or visit www.NJCleanEnergy.com.

Check with your town or city’s recycling program or sanitation service to see if you can get any cash back for your old, working appliance. According to an article from USAToday.com, more than 60 utilities across the nation offer some sort of refrigerator/freezer recycling program.

• To find an appliance or rebate program where you live, visit the ENERGY STAR website at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=rebate.rebate_locator.
• To find additional state or local utility tax incentives or rebates for buying energy-efficient appliances, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.

Read about other types of federal tax credit available for energy-efficient home improvements.

Great Father’s Day gift ideas for dear ole’ dad

Father’s Day is June 21. Hurry, place your order today and have your order ready just in time for Father’s Day!

What’s better than a practical gift that is wanted and needed and that can be used over and over again? Skip the tie and golf balls, give dad a gift he can use throughout the year.

Here are some ideas:

Xtend And Climb Extending Ladder Sale price: $189.95. Click for more

Xtend And Climb Extending Ladder

Sale price: $189.95

Compare at: $230.79

You Save: $40.84

This ladder extends from 2.5´ to 12.5´ and locks one foot at a time. It can be stored in a closet compact, is easy to carry and transport in most average-sized cars. Replaces the need for an over-sized and cumbersome extension ladder. This is a great gift for someone with little storage room. I can see a dad using this to string Christmas lights, clean the gutters. The ladder is 19 inches wide and has 13 rungs and a convenient carrying handle.  Best of all, you can come over and borrow it once you bought it for your dad! Hey, what are parents for? J

Watch the video to see the many ways Xtend And Climb Extending Ladder can be used around your home.

7 Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set

7 Piece Non-Stick Cookware Set. Sale Price: $39.99. Click for more info

Sale price: $59.95

Compare at: $72.84

You Save: $12.89

For the Father that loves to cook, this 7-piece stainless steel cook set comes with the following pieces: 1 Qt. covered saucepan, 2 Qt. covered saucepan, 5 Qt. covered Dutch Oven, 10″ Fry Pan – basically all the basic pots and pans you need to cook just about anything.

The non-cook coating makes cooking a breeze and the pots and pans are all dishwasher and oven safe (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).

MAGNOGRIP WRISTBAND

Keep track of small parts like nails, screws, bolts, drill bits, fasteners

Sale price: $7.95

Compare at: $9.66

You Save: $1.71

The MagnoGrip Magnetic Wristband is a great little gift idea for those that do not have a little money to spend. I am sure your dad will appreciate not having to hut around for small metal parts that he dropped or rolled away while working on the car, fixing appliances, or doing other household repair work. Thanks to the super powerful industrial magnets, parts snap to the wristband and stay there until needed. The wristband is comfortable enough to wear all day and the Velcro strap make sure it fits snuggly but securely to the owner’s wrist. It a great gift for the do-it-yourselfer dad and for those dads that like to work on cars and boats in their spare time.

How your energy efficient appliances could be costing you money

Here’s an interesting article from USA Today about how people buying energy efficient appliances are actually not saving any money. That’s because people are using their appliances more and in inefficient ways. This whole phenomenon is called the “Snackwell Effect.”

“Just as dieters might binge on Snackwell’s low-calorie cookies, people who buy energy-efficient items for their homes sabotage their efforts to save power – often by using the appliances more heavily, studies have shown.”

Read the rest of the story here: “Consumers can sabotage their energy conservation efforts.”

The article does offer a suggestion: “One solution: Devices that tell people how much electricity they use hour-by-hour, so they know the power consumed by a particular appliance.”

That could be helpful if it makes people develop new habits that help them save energy. Obviously, buying energy-efficient appliances and products, is not enough in itself, people need to develop new habits and practices in order to save energy and money.

• Always wash a full load of laundry and/or dishes. Exclusions to this rule are heavily soiled items of laundry or clothing you think might “bleed” and delicate items of clothing. For your dishwasher, wash fine china, delicate glassware, or hand-painted items by hand.
• Wash items in cold water, it often gets your laundry just as clean.
• If your clothes dryer has drying detecting sensors, use them. They are more reliable on detecting when your laundry is dry, than set time limits on your clothes dryer’s timer.
• To avoid unnecessary ironing, remove clothes from the dryer right away.
• If you live in a warm climate or if it’s summer, hang a clothes line and let your clothes line-dry.
• If you are preparing small meals or snacks, see if you can microwave the food rather than popping it in the oven.
• Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
• Maintain and clean your appliances. If appliance parts are cracked or broken, you could be losing money by having your appliance work harder to maintain proper temperatures, such is the case with the refrigerator.

Get the most out of your energy-efficient appliances and make sure you are using them in a way that saves you money.

Stimulus proposal includes $300 million in rebates for U.S. consumers who buy Energy Star appliances

UPDATE: Read current articles about appliance rebates here:

• Cash in your old refrigerator for a new energy efficient model
• Get cash back on the purchase of a new appliance with Cash for (Appliance) Clunkers
• Energy-efficient appliance rebates in Florida; recycle your appliance and make money

Read this if you are thinking about buying an energy efficient appliance in order to save money:

• How your energy efficient appliances could be costing you money
• Appliance shopping advice for smart consumers

You might want to hold off on buying that new energy efficient appliance, as the government could save you some money.

If the economic stimulus plan proposed by House Democrats is passed, U.S. consumers will have access to $300 million in appliance rebates to replace old appliances with new Energy Star appliances.

The rebates would be administered by the states. There is no word on how consumers would qualify for a rebate or how much money they would get back from their purchase.

This initiative is part of House Democrat stimulus bill totaling $825 billion. The appliance rebate is part of a targeted effort to save consumers money by helping their households become more energy efficient, and to help stimulate the economy.

Read More:

• Stimulus Bill Draft Circulated By Dems: Full Text
• $300 Million in Appliance Rebates in Stimulus Bill

How to save money in the New Year

Happy New Year! If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to save money, check out some of my past blog articles on the topic. You’ll find helpful tips on how to extend the life of your refrigerator, washer and clothes dryer. Most tips are easy to do and only take a few minutes. Doing so will save you money in the New Year.

Save money in the New Year with these helpful tips.

Easy appliance fixes

Don’t spend money on something you can repair yourself. These quick and easy appliance fixes could save you hundreds of dollars.

Using an ohmmeter will help you fix your appliance

This tool can help you test the electrical path (or continuity) of an appliance part. Owning an Ohmmeter will help you determine for sure that a part is indeed bad and can save you time and money during your appliance repairs.

Save money on food with a deep freezer

Buy in bulk and freeze the rest. Handy tips on saving money on food with a deep freezer.

How to extend the life of your appliance

Even if you have a brand new appliance, this is an excellent list to review. You might pick up some tips on how to correctly use or maintain your appliance which will make it function better, last longer and possibly save you money by running in a more energy efficient manner.

How much does it cost to run household appliances?

Ever wonder how much it costs to run your household appliances? This article will give you an average idea based off of estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy. It also gives tips on how to make sure your appliances are being as energy efficient as they can be. A little bit of cleaning and some basic maintenance can save you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs.

How to save money when shopping for a new appliance

Good suggestions on how to save money when shopping for new appliances. Some suggestions include: ask to buy the floor model, offer to purchase appliances with cosmetic damages (scratches and dings) buy last year’s model, plus many more.

Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber holiday scent sale

Enjoy the holiday scents of Cinnamon and Spice Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber or Pine Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber. Also enjoy a special sale price, just in time for the holidays at APWagner.com!

Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber comes in a safe plastic jar and, unlike candles, is solid so there is no dangerous flame or messy wax to worry about. Simply unscrew the top and set it down in a room. You will enjoy a light fragrance and fight powerful, foul odors at the same time.

Each 15 OZ. plastic container will freshen and scent a room up to 400 sq. ft. and lasts up to three months. Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber is nontoxic and comes in a child-proof and pet-safe container.

Purchase Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber in pine scent

Order now and enjoy Smells BeGone® Solid Odors Absorber in either cinnamon and spice or pine scents at a new lower price on APWagner.com.

Save money with AP Wagner!

Save money with APWagner.com Appliance Parts and more!

During these tough economic times every little bit helps. If you make your first AP Wagner purchase you can save 5%  off of your appliance parts purchase. Simply enter the online coupon code FIVEPERCENT during the check out process when prompted.

The online promo code is also good for savings on any new appliances, tools, water filters and any item offered for sale on the APWagner.com Website.

This offer is only good for first-time customers. Some restrictions may apply.

How to extend the life of your appliance

I’ve blogged about this in the past, however when it comes to extending the life of your household appliances and saving money, I think it’s a topic that bears repeating.

ConsumerReports.org has a list of excellent tips on how to extend the life of your appliance. Even if you have a brand new appliance, this is an excellent list to review. You might pick up some tips on how to correctly use or maintain your appliance which will make it function better, last longer and possibly save you money by running in a more energy efficient manner.

Some of the appliance-saving tips mentioned in the article include advice for ranges, dishwashers, ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, and clothes dryers. Among the tips mentioned were: make sure that screens on washing machines (there is a screen located where the hoses attach to the water supply) and clothes dryers (lint screen) are cleaned regularly. Make sure that oven and refrigerator door gaskets fit properly, so they seal correctly. Read the entire article: “Help appliances live longer,” from ConsumerReports.org.

Despite your best efforts, your appliance will eventually break down. Sometimes a repair is easy to do and you can order the appliance replacement parts you need online. They will arrive quickly (most often in 1-2 days) and you can be on your way to fixing your own appliance. Check out my past blog entries, I have lots of appliance repair tips and help on a variety of topics.

The good folks at APWAgner.com will help you find the correct part you need for your name brand appliance. They deal directly with the appliance manufacturers and sell only new appliance parts. APWagner.com carries appliance replacement parts for General Electric, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, Westinghouse and hard-to-find brands like Sunbeam, Montgomery Ward, Magic Chef, JC Penney Repair Parts and more. To see a full list of all the brands AP Wagner carries by visiting the Major Brand Appliance Repair and Replacement Parts page on their website.

Save money on food with a deep freezer

Bulk/wholesale food stores like Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Costco offer shoppers an opportunity to buy in bulk and possibly save money.

Make sure you are getting your dollars worth at wholesale food warehouses by storing extra perishable items in a deep freezer.

If you cannot afford a new deep freezer, consider buying one second hand. Comb newspaper classifieds, Craigslist and garage sales for a used deep freezer. Be sure to plug it in to make sure it works before purchasing it.

If you need help with a minor repair, use APWagner.com Freezer Repair Guide and purchase replacement freezer parts online.

Freezer tips:

• When buying meat in bulk, separate it into portion sizes and store them in plastic freezer bags. Ziploc vacuum freezer bags or Reynolds Handi-Vac both are designed to expel excess air from the bag before sealing and freezing, eliminating the chances of spoiling or freezer burn.
• Use a permanent marker to label your bags with expiration dates, so you know when to use or toss an item.
• Ground beef can be frozen for 3-4 months, Chicken, 9 months, and Fish, 3 months. Check out the Reynolds website for a handy food storage list.
• Keep your freezer at least half full, so the compressor does not need to work so hard to keep your items frozen. However, do not keep it jam packed because you want the freezer cabinet air to circulate.

There is also another savings benefit to buying in bulk, fewer trips to the grocery store means spending less money  on gas.

Holiday shopping advice: beware the extended warranty

Planning on purchasing a major appliance this holiday season? Expect a high-pressure sales pitch for an extended warranty, but be aware that it might not be such a rosy deal.

According to articles on consumerreports.org and consumersunion.org, extended warranties are rarely the value they are presented as being by salespeople. In addition to commission received by the salespeople, this article by Consumer Reports, states that, “stores keep 50 percent or more of what they charge for warranties.”

Unfortunately, consumers are faced with shortened warranties being provided by the manufacturers. Since 2005/2006 most major appliance manufacturers have shortened the length of warranty coverage on new appliances from three years, down to one.

According to an article by ConsumerReports.org, this includes appliance manufacturers Frigidaire, General Electric, Maytag, and Whirlpool amount others. Appliances by KitchenAid, Jenn-Air and Electrolux, have continued to keep longer warranties coverage on some of their pricier products and parts.

If you are planning on purchasing a major appliance, consider the following advice from consumersunion.org:

• Research your purchase, buy products with a solid record of reliability
• Check to see if one of your credit cards offers an extended warranty

Read the rest of their Holiday Shopping Advice online, including information about extended warranties.

ConsumerReports.org also offers some advice for those considering buying an extended warranty:

• Do not pay more than 20 percent of the purchase price of the product.
• Read the fine print, does the warranty cover in-home repair or pickup? When does the extended warranty start?

Read the entire article “Why you don’t need an extended warranty.”

ConsumerReports.org has also developed a list of products, including appliances, which often need repairs in the first three-to-four years, according to data provided by consumers. Check out the list online: “Repair rates for 3- to 4-year-old products.”

If your appliance does breakdown and is past its warranty, consider doing the repair yourself in order to cut costs. Purchase appliance parts online from APWagner.com. We carry parts for refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, gas ranges, clothes dryers, electric ranges and more. We sell only original manufacturer parts including: Frigidaire replacement parts, General Electric replacement parts, Maytag replacement parts, Whirlpool replacement parts, KitchenAid replacement parts, Jenn-Air replacement parts and Electrolux replacement parts.