Whirlpool Corporation Provides Online Consumer Tool for 'Cash for Appliances' Rebate Program

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation continues its legacy of leadership in energy efficiency with the launch of an easy-to-use rebate finder tool on three of its brand Web sites – Whirlpool, Maytag and KitchenAid brands. As a manufacturer and marketer of more than 300 ENERGY STAR®-qualified major appliances in the U.S. and Canada, Whirlpool Corporation created the tool to help consumers navigate and make the most of the "Cash for Appliances" rebate program.

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By entering a local zip code and appliance type, the online tool instantly informs the consumer of the amount of applicable state rebates through the federal program. While rebate terms and eligible products vary greatly, many states offer generous rebates for qualified washers, dishwashers and refrigerators. Additionally, the rebate finder will provide information on rebates from a consumer's local utility company if available.

"Cash for Appliances" is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a Department of Energy (DOE) program providing nearly $300 million to fund state-run rebate programs for consumer purchases of new ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances.

"The 'Cash for Appliances' program is a great incentive for consumers to purchase new, energy-efficient appliances and retire their energy draining older appliances," said Warwick Stirling, Whirlpool global director of energy and sustainability. "The rebate on the purchase of a new ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliance is just the beginning of the savings. Ultimately, it's an investment that will provide monthly savings on utility bills and benefit the environment through reduced energy and water use."

Beyond the Rebates

Whirlpool brand leads the industry with the Resource Saver™ refrigerator, the most energy efficient side-by-side ever. It exceeds federal energy standards by 30 percent and consumes less energy annually than a 60-watt light bulb under continuous operation. According to the ENERGY STAR program, by replacing any refrigerator made before 1993 with a new ENERGY STAR® qualified model, consumers can save up to $65 per year in operating costs.

ENERGY STAR® qualified washers are leaders in energy and water savings. Replacing a traditional top-load washer made before 2000 with a new ENERGY STAR® model can save consumers up to $135 per year according to the DOE. Whirlpool Corporation offers both front- and top-load high-efficiency washers. The Whirlpool brand Duet® front-load washer (model WFW9700V) uses 74 percent less water and 80 less energy saving up to $1,000 in lifetime water and energy costs.* The Maytag® Bravos® top-load washer can save the consumer up to $900 in lifetime water and energy costs.*

Commitment to ENERGY STAR® Qualification

As a leader in developing high-performance appliances which conserve resources, Whirlpool Corporation has been an ENERGY STAR® partner since 1998 most recently earning the ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award four in years in a row (2006-2009). This award is the most prestigious by the ENERGY STAR® program and given only to select organizations that have exhibited outstanding, ongoing leadership in their industries.

Visit www.whirlpool.com, www.maytag.com or www.kitchenaid.com for more information. For detailed state-by-state information, visit the federal Web site at www.energysavers.gov and click on "state appliance rebate program."

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2008, 70,000 employees, and 67 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

*Compared to pre-2004 conventional washer; based on 10 year life.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation