This year, you got paid for tossing out the clunker car. Next year, you'll be rewarded for getting rid of the energy-inefficient appliance. Many states will be sponsoring a "Cash for Appliances" program, similar to "Cash for Clunkers" in that you'll be paid for doing a big dump (or recycle) of your old appliances and buying those labeled with the Energy Star seal.

This is part of the federal government's economic stimulus plan -- it set aside $300 million in rebates for buying energy-efficient products, and state governments had to send detailed plans to Washington by to explain how they would give that money away.

So unlike Cash for Clunkers, each state is in charge of its own Cash for Appliances program.

All appliances that qualify for the cash for appliances program must feature the energy star label. Without this label, they can’t qualify for any rebate funded by the government. This certification indicates the appliance will help the owner conserve energy every month and therefore save money on their utilities.

One downside: Unlike cars, there's no lot you can wheel your clunker appliance to. New York is one state that's giving an incentive for recycling appliances by adding extra to your rebate amount if you show proof you recycled the freezer of fridge. But residents have the extra burden of finding out what they need to do with their old appliance before they can cash in on the new one.

To get the date and details of your state's own program, contact your state's energy department.

Act fast, when it starts in your state! That $300 million the Federal Government set aside goes fast when divided among all states and territories. California only gets $35.2 million for its massive population, so it definitely pays to be first in line at the appliance store.

Labels: Appliance News, Cash for Appliances

On March 19, RepairClinic.com sponsored a corporate table to benefit Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels at the annual “Spring Fling” Benefit Dinner at the Marriott Eagle Crest Resort in Ypsilanti.

For the past 12 years, the nonprofit organization has held the dinner to raise money for their program which delivers meals to needy seniors and disabled individuals in the community.
Local celebrities, including faculty members from Eastern Michigan University along with community and government officials, posed as servers.

Patrons happily contributed generous tips in return for the excellent service provided at the hands of local VIP’s. The event was well-attended by many in the local area, including a group of Repairclinic.com employees, representing the recently established RepairClinic.com Outreach program.

Outreach is a company-wide effort established to encourage volunteerism and community involvement among RepairClinic employees throughout southeast Michigan -- where the company headquarters is located -- a region where the economy has presented many challenges to families and charitable organizations. The internal Outreach program is made up of RepairClinic.com employee volunteers who combine their hard work with company resources to do their part in the community.

This charitable initiative is very near and dear to the hearts of those on the RepairClinic.com management team. Said CEO Larry Beach: "Several on the team have served on the boards of local charities and believe it is important to reach out to the needy in the community. "
As a result, the company‘s Outreach program has supported several local charities, such as: Hope Clinic, Make a Wish Foundation, Canton Make a Difference Day, Earth Day Spring Cleanup, and the Belleville Eagles Charity.

Other upcoming events where Outreach participants will be involved include: Canton Christmas in Action Program on April 25 -- a program where volunteers assist income-qualified seniors and individuals with disabilities with home cleanup and/or fix-up projects; The American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Canton, at Heritage Park, May 16-17, a 24- hour event that includes a continuous walk to raise money for cancer research, a festival setup, and ceremonies to honor cancer survivors and those lost to the disease.

Outreach has also been involved in several projects with Hope Clinic in Ypsilanti where RepairClinic.com’s CEO, Larry Beach, is a board member. Hope Clinic is an organization that provides many services to local families including: free medical care, free dental care, and hot meals and groceries for individuals and their families.

The Outreach program has made a special effort to provide funding to smaller projects at local schools in addition to family-focused projects, such as providing money, supplies, and holiday gifts to local food banks.

Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, RepairClinic.com was founded in Canton in 1999 and is the most comprehensive online resource for home appliance parts, do-it-yourself repair help and information. The site features more than 80 appliance brands, including Kenmore, Whirlpool Appliance Parts, Maytag Parts, GE, Frigidaire, and LG—across 16 appliance types (e.g., washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and dishwashers).

Do-it-yourselfers use the intuitive PartDetective to find the part they need or the leading-edge service, RepairGuru, for customized, free repair help online. Appliance parts are stocked in a 72,000-square-foot office and warehouse and shipped the same business day.

Labels: Appliance News, RepairClinic Coupons