Cash for Appliances

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., June 30 - The Sears Blue Appliance Crew(TM) is helping Nebraska residents access the $1,711,000 in rebates available for ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances beginning July 6 until funds are exhausted, as part of the "Cash for Appliances" rebate program. As the 2010 ENERGY STAR Retail Partner of the Year, Sears has revamped its website, Sears.com/energystar to include even more tools to help Americans learn about ENERGY STAR, search for rebates and credits, find the right appliance and dispose of the old one properly, and take small steps to make a big difference. In an effort to help Nebraska residents better manage the rebate process, the Sears site also includes an interactive map, energy savings rebate calculator and information about ENERGY STAR products that qualify for the state rebates so customers can quickly and easily identify their favorite brands and models that are available for in-store purchase.

"At Sears, we're always looking for ways to make it easier and more affordable for Americans to swap out their old, inefficient appliances for new, ENERGY STAR models," said Doug Moore, president of Home Appliances for Sears. "This rebate money will go quickly, so we encourage our customers in Nebraska to take advantage of the stimulus plan as early as possible to ensure access to the state funds."

Under the U.S. Department of Energy-approved appliance rebate plan for Nebraska, residents are eligible for rebates from $100 to $200(I) at Sears. In order to qualify, residents are required to replace their old appliances with new, ENERGY STAR qualified models and must submit proof of purchase within 30 days. In addition, Nebraska residents must purchase ENERGY STAR qualified appliances from registered retailers, such as Sears, and "self-certify" replacement of their old units in order to qualify for the following rebates:

-- $150 for dishwashers (less than or equal to 307 kilowatt hours per
year and less than or equal to 5.0 gallons per cycle)
-- $100 for clothes washers (Tier I)
-- $200 for clothes washers (Tier II)
-- $200 for refrigerators (20% above Federal Standard)



Nebraska residents are also eligible for rebates on energy-efficient, whole-house heating and cooling systems including gas and propane furnaces, heat pumps and central air conditioners. Residents who are interested in purchasing these systems can visit Sears.com/energystar for a complete listing of qualifying products and available rebates, or call Sears Home Services at 1-800-766-6298 to arrange an in-home appointment.

"Sears is proud to be the first retail member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program, which demonstrates our continued commitment to improving the environment through responsible appliance disposal," Moore said. "Not only are we helping the environment by reducing emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases, but we are also making it easier for customers, like those in Nebraska, to dispose of their old appliances responsibly."

Through the RAD(II) program, the Sears Home Delivery Haul Away Service provides removal of one old, inefficient appliance for each new appliance purchased and delivered. Once the old appliance is removed, Sears and its partners ensure that the disposal process takes place in an environmentally friendly manner to avoid the discarding of appliances in landfills. Many of the components of the old appliance are then recycled.

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

-- Provide information about which appliances qualify for state rebates
in store and online at Sears.com/energystar
-- Help shoppers find rebates - searching by product category and
customer's zip code
-- Submit rebates for purchases electronically, before they leave the
store
-- Provide customers with the documentation required in order to receive
state rebates
-- Remove customers' old appliances and dispose of them in a responsible
manner through the Sears RAD program



Sears recently introduced a new initiative called "The Big Switch," to help families make the switch to five million ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. The Big Switch is aimed at helping families remove and recycle millions of inefficient appliances from the energy grid for good and saving families more than $2,500 on their utility bills(III). Sears is also launching a new website, searsbigswitch.com, where customers can take the Sears ENERGY STAR Pledge and learn more about how they can help reduce their energy and water consumption and reduce their impact on the environment.