Federal rebates for new, “green” appliances is the big news, but buying soon is the important news. Michigan has $6.6 million of federal rebate cash available for consumers through a new, already active State of Michigan program started on Feb. 10.

By Dec. 1, 2009, the federal government had distributed about $300 million for appliance rebates to the United States, plus Washington D.C. and U.S. territories. The U.S. Department of Energy wants "greener" existing homes, homes that use new, more energy efficient appliances. Total federal funding is about $1 per person in the United States, but the energy department only expects about 1 to 2 percent participation.

Michigan received more than $9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, based on preliminary - then final - plans filed with the energy department last fall. After department approvals, the each of the states made its own plans. Only eight states have active programs, and the rest will begin whenever they're ready.

Michigan's plan covers specific types of clothes washers and dishwashers, refrigerators, as well as some furnaces and water heaters.

Michigan's plan went into effect Feb. 10. The primary state Web site calls it the Michigan Appliance Trade Up program. However the state's original plan is the Michigan Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. Other state pages call it the Michigan Appliance Rebate Program.

Most rebates run from $25 for "Energy Star" dishwashers up to $100 for "CEE Tier 3" refrigerators. Earlier state Web sites also showed up to $1,200 for solar water heating systems, but much less for oil or propane furnaces and propane water heaters. The plan had also targeted specific dollar amounts for total rebates in each class of appliances.

The statewide total of rebates will be $6,641,514. Some of the energy department’s $9 million distribution covers the state's costs.

Key Details:
• Energy ratings determine which specific refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers are eligible.
• Some furnaces and water heaters also qualify.
• Only one rebate per type of appliance, but different qualifying appliances (fridge and washer, for example) are each rebated.
• Only residential customers qualify.
• Only Michigan residents qualify. (Each state has its own program.)
• Rebates arrive as prepaid Visa cards, not checks.
• Michigan’s program ends the moment the money runs out or Dec. 31, 2010. Some $5.6 million remains as of Feb. 24.

Clearly it’s important to shop soon. The money will run out, and many expect it to be depleted sooner rather than later. In addition, people can “reserve” a rebate, jeopardizing the one you’d expect for a cash purchase. There are no rebates for tardiness or delay.

By the way, the legislature, governor and Michigan budget crisis are unaffected. This is federal money, and they made rules.

More Details and Links:
• Mail-in rebate program began Wednesday, Feb. 10 for purchases on or after that date.
• Official web site: http://www.mirebates.com/
• Get rebates in one of two ways: (1) buy, apply, mail it in. Or (2) reserve rebate by phone (1-866-621-8782), buy it, then apply by mail-in.
• Michigan Appliance Trade Up Program Guide for Michigan Residents:
http://www.mirebates.com/pdf/Guide_Residents.pdf.
• Qualifying Refrigerator lists based on Energy Star or CEE ratings.
• Qualifying Residential Clotheswashers list.
• Qualifying Residential Dishwashers lists based on Energy Star or CEE ratings.
• For qualifying furnaces and water heaters including propane furnaces, heating oil furnaces, propane water heaters and solar water heaters.

Other Details:
• Michigan's Bureau of Energy Systems.
• Summary of the state's plan.
• Michigan's preliminary plan.

Mark Bishar is vice president of marketing for Big George's Home Appliance Mart.