Combine state storm appliance grants, O&R efficiency rebates to save money

PEARL RIVER — Have you sustained damage to your major appliances as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee? According to a press release issued by Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., you may be eligible to recover some costs through an $8 million appliance grant program for New York State residents - and participate in O&R’s appliance rebate programs at the same time to increase your savings. The following Energy Star, or high-efficiency products, are eligible under this New York Storm Relief Rebate program: Refrigerators ($350) Clothes washers ($250) Clothes dryers ($250) Dehumidifiers ($100) Furnaces ($2,000) Boilers ($2,500), Qualified hot water heaters (gas storage water heaters, heat pump water heaters, electric water heaters, $400). Only appliances and equipment that replace those damaged in the storms are eligible for storm relief grants (with the exception of dehumidifiers that can either replace a damaged dehumidifier or have been purchased to reduce humidity resulting from the storm). All grants and rebates will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding runs out. More information and applications are available at NYSApplianceRebates.com or by calling 1-877-NY-SMART (877-697-6278). O&R customers who apply for grants are also eligible for rebates from O&R’s existing energy efficiency programs. Specifically, a customer installing a high-efficiency boiler is eligible for a $700 rebate from O&R in addition to the $2,500 grant offered from the storm relief fund for a total incentive of $3,200. Rebates are also available for furnaces, dehumidifiers and gas indirect water heaters. Customers purchasing Energy Star appliances need not be affected by the storm to participate in O&R’s programs. Purchases covered by insurance or FEMA are not eligible for storm relief grants but may be eligible for O&R rebates. For more information on these programs, visit oru.com/save. Or call 1-877-852-5678.