Dade Runs Out Of Appliance Rebate Cash

MIAMI (CBS4) – Wow, that was fast.

Miami-Dade County has announced that they've used up the half a million dollars they were allotted through a federal grant program to provide rebates to residents who purchase energy-efficient washers and refrigerators.

Due to its overwhelming popularity, county officials said the rebate reservation numbers are no longer available for the Miami-Dade Residential Appliance Rebate Program.

In just 40 hours, nearly 2,250 county resident made rebate reservations for the purchase of ENERGY STAR refrigerators and clothes washers.

According to terms of the rebate, appliances must be purchased at a retail store in the county and the completed application packages must be postmarked by November 4, 2011. Rebates are only available to applicants who have already received a reservation number.

"During challenging economic times, I am proud that the county was able to implement a program which will help homeowners save energy and money, as well as assist our local retailers and businesses create jobs, ensuring a sustainable community and economy," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez in a written statement.

According to ENERGY STAR, qualified clothes washers use about 37 percent less energy and use over 50 percent less water than regular washers. In addition, qualified refrigerators use 20 percent less energy than non-qualified models, cutting energy bills by $165 over the lifetime of a refrigerator.