-----Original Message-----
From: Richard Kaplan [mailto:
rkaplan@lauderhill-fl.gov]
Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:56 PM
City of Lauderhill Interest-Free Energy Saving Appliance Loans and Florida
Energy Star Appliance Rebate Programs
The City of Lauderhill and the State of Florida are both launching financial
assistance programs to purchase appliances that consume less energy.
Lauderhill's program, funded by a Federal Energy Block Grant to the city,
provides interest free loans to city residents to purchase Energy Star
washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, solar water heaters, tankless
water heaters, and air conditioners with a 16 SEER rating or higher. The
loans can only be used in the residents primary home.
Loans will be secured to the appliances purchased, and linked to the
borrowers checking or savings account to provide for automatic monthly
payments to the city. Payments will be for 12 or 24 months, with the minimum
loan of $400 and the maximum loan of $2000. All appliances, except water
heaters, are encouraged to be purchased at SEARS in Lauderhill on Commercial
Blvd., which has worked with the city to coordinate the loan process.
Application for the loans will begin on April 5, until all funds are
expended, first come first serve for qualified borrowers. Thereafter, when
funds are repaid, additional loans can be made. Applications are available
on the city web site,
http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/doc/pdf/rl_app.pdF .,
plus eventually it will also be on
www.lauderhill-fl.gov/green<
http://www.lauderhill-fl.gov/green> (which you
are encouraged to check out anyhow), and at City Hall beginning in the
morning of April 5. Completed applications cannot be submitted until Monday
April 5 beginning at 7:30 AM.
Total loan funds for this program are $70,000, and upon monthly payments
being received by the city, new funds will become available to loan each
month thereafter. There is a $25 upfront application fee payable to the City
of Lauderhill by money order or bank check (no personal checks or cash), and
a credit check will be required.
Florida's ENERGY STAR appliance rebate program applies only to new
appliances purchased in the State of Florida for personal use by the
consumer. Florida will offer a 20 percent rebate off the retail price of a
new qualified ENERGY STAR appliance. Rebates only apply to the purchase of
the appliance and not to delivery or installation costs. Rebates shall be
available only for the following ENERGY STAR certified appliances and
products: gas tank-less water heaters, clothes washers, refrigerators,
dishwashers, room air-conditioners and freezers.
This program is available to all Florida residents through a mail-in rebate
application and will launch April 16, 2010, and conclude April 25, 2010. To
qualify for the grant, reservations must be made after the appliance is
purchase, not before. After making the reservation a rebate application must
be submitted. Florida does not guarantee a refund if the purchaser discovers
the rebates are gone after they have bought the appliances.
This program is timed to coincide with Florida's Earth Day Activities.
Florida will hire a third-party program administrator to handle the rebate
process and to capture the needed metrics associated with the program. All
advertising and marketing for the rebate program will be undertaken by our
program partners.
While customers are encouraged to replace more than one appliance, they may
only receive rebates on the purchase of one of each type of ENERGY STAR
appliance per address. In additional to the rebate for purchasing the ENERGY
STAR appliance, consumers will also receive an additional $75 if they
provide evidence of having recycled the old appliance. That evidence may
consist of a statement on the retailer receipt indicating pick-up of the old
appliance or a receipt from the local public or private landfill of delivery
of the old appliance. NOTE: State funds are limited and are on a first come,
first serve basis until all funds are used.
NOTE: Some (such as air conditioners), but not all appliances purchased may
qualify for a Federal Energy Tax Credit from income taxes. Consult with your
tax advisor or IRS for more information. For additional information on
Florida's program:
http://www.myfloridaclimate.com/climate_quick_links/florida_energy_climate_c
ommission/arra_funding_and_opportunities/energy_efficient_appliance_rebate_1
7_585_466
Very Truly Yours,
Richard J. Kaplan
Mayor, City of Lauderhill
