Governor Rendell: New Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program to Open April 21; Details Now Available Online

Program Will Offer Rebates of up to $500 for Non-electric Home Heating Upgrades

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell announced today that a new rebate program designed to help consumers save money and energy by making it more affordable to upgrade a home heating system will open April 21.

The Pennsylvania Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program could help as many as 33,000 households to purchase Energy Star-rated, non-electric residential hot water heaters, furnaces and boilers. The $11 million program is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Details are available on the program's new Web site, www.paheatingrebates.com.

"There has been tremendous consumer interest since the U.S. Energy Department announced last fall that federal funds would be available to help homeowners reduce their ever-rising energy costs," said Governor Rendell. "We designed this program to complement the conservation programs that electric utilities offer for upgrading household appliances."

Rebates will range from $100 to $500, depending on the equipment's efficiency rating.

"Heating and water heating account for more than half of a typical household's energy consumption," noted the Governor. "By offering an incentive to make those two aspects more efficient, we are making the biggest impact possible on reducing energy use, which will translate into a greater financial savings for the consumer."

Consumers can apply for and receive their rebates by following three simple steps:

1. Reserve a rebate by completing an online application. Residents without Internet access can call 877-592-2061 to make a reservation;
2. Purchase and have a contractor install a qualifying product. Purchases made before April 21 will not be eligible; and
3. Submit the completed rebate application within 30 days of the reservation date.

Resource Solutions Group - the company selected through a competitive bid process to manage the program - will mail rebate checks directly to consumers.

Governor Rendell added that by increasing the demand for heating equipment and related installation work, the rebate program will create jobs.

"A more efficient home reduces energy use, which saves money, helps make our environment cleaner, and helps stimulate the economy by creating work for manufacturers and installers," said Governor Rendell. "I believe the Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program will encourage many Pennsylvanians to take the step to improve their home's energy efficiency. That's a smart investment that could save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the life of the system."

To learn about rebates for appliance upgrades, consumers should contact their electric utility.

To learn more about how the federal economic stimulus program is benefiting Pennsylvanians, visit www.recovery.pa.gov.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor