State Begins Household Appliance Grant Program on Monday

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) begins an appliance grant program on Monday, September 19 for residents with damaged appliances as a result of Hurricane Irene. The grants will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and the program is limited to eight million dollars.

Grants will help to cover the cost of refrigerators, boilers, washing machines, clothes dryers, boilers, dehumidifiers and furnaces damaged by the recent flooding. A set amount is fixed for specific types of ENERGY STAR© rated appliances ranging from $100 to $2,500 and could cover up to 100 percent of the replacement cost. In product categories where there are no ENERGY STAR criteria, the higher efficiency units will be eligible for a rebate. If the appliance price is higher than the cap, the program will pay a portion of the total cost up to the cap.

 Applications will be available online or by calling 1-877-697-6278.

“I urge Rockland County residents impacted by the storms to apply for these grants,” said county Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. “This important program is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”

Residents must prove the storm replacement appliance is not covered by their insurance or (Federal Emergency Management Agency) assistance. The grants for approved appliances are retroactive to August 29 to cover any items that may have been already purchased.

Eligible equipment and appliances and the highest rebate amounts are:

• Boiler rated ENERGY STAR = $2,500
• Furnace rated ENERGY STAR = $2,000
• Hot Water Heater Tanks rated higher efficiency for electric or rated ENERGY STAR for gas = $400
• Refrigerators rated ENERGY STAR = $350
• Washing Machines rated ENERGY STAR = $250
• Clothes Dryers w/Moisture Sensor rated higher efficiency = $250
• Dehumidifiers rated ENERGY STAR = $100

The appliance purchase is eligible for the grant if it is a replacement item. The only exception is a dehumidifier. The state may conduct an audit to verify insurance claims and/or FEMA assistance. FEMA opened a disaster recovery office in Rockland County on Saturday. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and is located at Provident Bank Park in Pomona.