Sears Helps New York State Residents Access Remaining Rebates for ENERGY STAR® Qualified Appliances

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sears Blue Appliance Crew™ will make it easier for New York state residents to access the $5 million in remaining rebates for ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances as part of the New York "Great Appliance Swap Out" program. To help customers attain the remaining rebates, Sears stores throughout the state of New York will open early at 7 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Oct. 2. Additional Sears Blue Appliance Crew members will also be in stores to assist customers and file rebates.

In addition to the state stimulus rebates, Sears will also provide the following promotional offers:

• Up to 20 percent off all appliances(i) with free delivery or zero percent financing;
• An extra 10 percent off all appliances Friday though Sunday(ii); and
• Additional 5 percent off all Kenmore appliances with a Sears card(iii).

"At Sears, we're committed to helping our customers do their part to help reduce their impact on the environment and save on their monthly utility bills," said Doug Moore, president of Home Appliances for Sears. "When the state of New York appliance rebate program initially launched this past February, we had hundreds of customers lining up at many of our stores before they even opened. We expect to see a similar response with the second phase, as rebate funds are projected to go quickly, so we encourage customers to take advantage of the remaining rebates as early as possible."

Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, New York residents who replace an existing appliance with a new ENERGY STAR qualified appliance are eligible for rebates from $75 to $5559(iv). Rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funds run out. Furthermore, in New York, additional savings will be available for customers who recycle their old appliances.

• $75 for refrigerators ($105 for refrigerators with documented recycling)
• $75 for clothes washers ($100 for clothes washers with documented recycling)
• $50 for freezers ($75 for freezers with documented recycling)
• $500 package rebate for dishwashers when purchased as part of a three-appliance package consisting of an ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator, dishwasher and clothes washer ($555 with documented recycling)

Plus, to help families make the switch to energy efficient appliances, Sears recently launched an initiative called The Big Switch. The program challenges American families to make the switch to five million ENERGY STAR qualified appliances while also recycling appliances and saving families more than $2,500 on their utility bills(v). Consumers can learn more about the available rebates and ways to reduce their energy and water consumption at SearsBigSwitch.com.

"We hope to create a movement with The Big Switch that encourages even more customers to consider ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, take the ENERGY STAR Pledge and learn more about the small steps they can take to make a difference for our environment," added Moore. "Programs like the Sears Big Switch, the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program and national Cash for Appliances rebate program truly make it easier and more affordable to help customers remove and recycle their appliances."

For New York state residents interested in purchasing energy efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified appliances the Sears Blue Appliance Crew will assist shoppers from start to finish. They can:

• Offer information about which appliances qualify for state rebates in store and online at SearsBigSwitch.com
• Help shoppers find rebates – searching by product category and customer's zip code
• Submit rebates for purchases electronically, before they leave the store
• Remove customers' old appliances and dispose of them in a responsible manner
• Provide customers with the recycling documentation required in order to receive the additional state stimulus rebates

For full rebate updates and details, and to learn more about the Sears online and in-store Appliance Research Centers, please visit www.sears.com/energystar.

About Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,300 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 929 full-line and approximately 1,200 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End -- among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck is the 2010 ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.

About Sears Home Appliances

Sears is the nation's leading appliance retailer with the largest selection - over 4400 models. Only Sears sells the top 10 brands, including Kenmore, the nation's leading appliance brand. Sears always beats the competition's price, guaranteed, up to 14 days. Sears offers worry-free 1-year service, guaranteed and free help and support on all brands serviced by Sears 24/7 by phone. Sears provides next day delivery on over 1600 models - that's five times more than any national competitor. In March 2009, Sears launched the online ENERGY STAR Rebate Center - a program to help educate Americans about the millions of dollars in rebates that are available for ENERGY STAR-rated products and make it faster to receive these rebates. Sears has demonstrated its commitment to increasing America's energy efficiency through its actions over more than 10 years.

Sears sells more ENERGY STAR-rated appliances than any other retailer. In fact, in 2008, Sears was the first retailer to sell more than 3.1 million ENERGY STAR qualified appliances from the nation's top brands, including Kenmore, the nation's leading appliance brand.

(i) Total savings range 10-20 percent. Excludes Electrolux, Jenn-Aire, Dacor, Fisher & Paykel, sewing machines, countertop microwaves, water heaters, air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, steam mops, bags, belts, filters, carpet cleaning chemicals, accessories, closeouts and everyday great price items.

(ii) Offer good 10/1/10 – 10/3/10.

(iii)  Cannot be combined with other Sears card discounts. Sears card offer note valid at Outlet Stores. Offer good 10/1/10-10/7/10. Connectors, ice maker hook-up and installation extra.

(iv) Program details subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.Sears.com/EnergyStar.

(v) Based on utility savings over five years, associated with replacing the following 10-year-old non-ENERGY STAR qualified products: refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, room air conditioner and water heater, with ENERGY STAR products.

SOURCE Sears, Roebuck and Co.