Following the success of the Cash for Clunkers program, the federal government recently announced the creation of a similar rebate program for consumers looking to purchase new energy-efficient appliances. While many of the details of the program are still yet to be determined, Better Business Bureau offers the following guidance to consumers who might be interested in taking advantage of the program.

The federal government has set aside $300 million from the stimulus package to fund the new cash for appliances program. The intended benefit of the program is twofold. The first goal is to provide another way to stimulate the economy in an industry that has seen a 15 percent drop in sales, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

The second goal is to increase energy efficiency in households by replacing old appliances with newer “greener” ones. According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, the typical household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills but could save over one-third or about $700 per year by making the switch to ENERGY STAR products.

ENERGY STAR standards are set by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency and help consumers identify energy-efficient products in 60 different categories including appliances, windows and doors, heating and cooling equipment and water heaters. In 2008, about 55 percent of new major household appliances had the ENERGY STAR seal.

“Replacing older appliances with more energy efficient models will not only help the environment and provide a little boost to the economy, it will also have a positive impact on a homeowner’s bottom line when the energy bills come in month after month,” said Kim States, BBB President.

Following are a few details on the evolving cash for appliances program.

Program implementation will vary by state. The implementation of the program and distribution of rebates will occur at the state level. Every state must submit a plan that specifies which appliance categories will be included in its own program, the amount of rebates for each appliance and a plan for recycling old appliances.

DOE estimates that the $300 million set aside will be awarded to states for their programs by the end of November, and consumers should see the rebate programs implemented in late 2009 or early 2010.

Qualifying appliances will vary by State. States will decide which ENERGY STAR qualified appliances are eligible for a rebate. The DOE is encouraging states to focus on awarding rebates for heating and cooling equipment, appliances and water heaters.

No trade-in will be required. Unlike the Cash For Clunkers program, wherein participants had to hand over their old car and the clunker was sent to the scrap heap, participants in cash for appliances don’t have to exchange an older appliance for a new one.
Stay tuned for updates. Southern Arizona consumers should visit the Arizona energy department’s Web site for updates on program implementation. More information from the federal government is available at http://www.energy.gov/recovery/

Take advantage of additional programs now. If you can’t wait to purchase a new appliance, you can still take advantage of other programs. Both the federal government and many state governments already provide tax credits for purchasing energy efficient appliances. Also, more than 25 states have recycling programs for appliances.  The Database for State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (www.dsireusa.org) provides a state-by-state breakdown of local incentives and policies for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

For more BBB advice you can trust on how to be a savvy consumer, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.

Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is alerting consumers to Creative Synergy Training (CST), a work-at-home company with Arizona ties, that claims it can show consumers a “risk free” way to make money using Google.

Since September 27, BBB has received 10 complaints from consumers claiming CTS charged their credit cards after they requested their account be canceled within the 3-day window the company gives consumers to cancel their account and receive a refund. In the complaints consumers are requesting refunds of $129.99-$149.99.

CTS’s mailing address is a Postnet mailbox located at 29834 N Cave Creek Rd STE 118 PMB 323 Cave Creek, AZ 85321. BBB has not been able to determine the physical location of the company. CTS’s Web site was registered by a proxy service in Scottsdale last June.

Nationally, BBB has been inundated with complaints about Web sites that are trading on the Google name to scam people. Because the sites often use the Google name and prominently display its iconic logo, consumers often assume they are getting a job with Google when in fact they were getting taken in by yet another work-at-home scheme.

Before signing up for any work-at-home opportunity, BBB advises job hunters to:

• Review the business’s BBB Reliability Report® at bbb.org to see if BBB reports complaints or other concerns you need to consider.
• Beware of any offer that guarantees a lot of money for little effort and no experience.
• Thoroughly read the Web site’s terms and conditions, keeping in mind that a free trial could cost you in the end.
• Be wary of work-at-home offers that use logos from Google, Twitter or other prominent online businesses. Just because Google is in the name, it doesn’t mean the business is affiliated with Google.
• Research the Web site with Whois.net or a similar site for determining domain name ownership. If the site is anonymous or individually registered, beware.

For more advice on evaluating work-at-home companies and schemes, visit www.tucson.bbb.org.

Tucsonans can do their part to reduce the millions of tons of electronic waste that ends up in landfills, protect against identity theft and support local non-profits at an event scheduled Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at BBB of Southern Arizona, 434 S. Williams Blvd.

BBB has partnered with Pima Council on Aging, RISE and Arizona Verified Information Destruction (AVID), for ShredFest ‘09. Organizers are offering electronics and cell phone e-cycling in addition to secure, on-site shredding. Donations for on-site shredding are requested.

What to Bring
Computer equipment such as: PC systems, CPUs, monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, modems, hard drives, speakers, power cords, cables, phones, powers strips, desktop copiers, fax machines, small TVs (32″ or smaller, no consoles) cell phones with batteries. NOTE: There will be a $15 charge for television sets.

Documents for shredding such as: old tax returns, bank statements, check book registers, credit card statements, medical records, NO PLASTIC PLEASE. That means no three ring binders, presentation folders or garbage bags. We’ll accept data CD’s if they are separated from paperwork. NOTE: There is a five box limit on paperwork.

Donations
Donations for shredding are appreciated. Your donations will support BBB’s community and military outreach programs.  Electronics and cell phone donations are free with the exception of televisions, which incur a charge of $15. All phone and electronic donations are tax deductible.

Where’s my stuff going?

Electronics: All electronic items will be collected by RISE Recycling of Tucson, a special type of nonprofit corporation with a “community development” mission. Generous support from the City of Tucson has enabled RISE to provide employment opportunities to low income adults, the homeless, and other disadvantaged Tucsonans. In 2007 RISE employed more than 25 individuals, created four new full time jobs, provided job training to more than 250 individuals, and assisted 40 individuals in obtaining affordable housing.

Did you know? According to the EPA, of the 2.25 million tons of TVs, cell phones and computer products ready for disposal in 2007, only 18% (414,000 tons) was collected for recycling and 82% (1.84 million tons) went primarily to landfills.

Cell Phones: Cell phones are being collected by Pima Council on Aging as a fundraising effort. PCOA advocates for senior citizens in Pima County, offering many valuable programs including care giver programs, congregate and delivered meals, medical assistance, home repair, elder rights and medicare/insurance counseling.

Did you know? Nationwide, 130 million cellular phones go out of use annually, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That creates an estimated 65,000 tons of electronic garbage.

Paperwork: All paperwork will be securely shred on-site by locally owned Arizona Verified Information Destruction (AVID). All shredded material is recycled. As an affordable risk management tool, outsourcing to a reputable “On-Site” shredding company like AVID has become a normal, economical and accepted part of doing business today. AVID, a BBB Accredited Business, has donated secure shredding service for this event for three years. They offer an array of convenient services to businesses and consumers in southern Arizona. For more information visit www.avidshred.com.

Did you know? Arizona is the identity theft capital of the U.S.

For more information please contact BBB at 888-5353 or visit www.tucson.bbb.org/shredfest.