Last week, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo launched an $8 million appliance grant program for those who sustained property damage as a result of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The program will help New Yorkers cover the costs of replacing vital household appliances, such as refrigerators, boilers, washing machines and furnaces damaged by the recent flooding.
Grants will be a fixed amount for different appliances and could cover up to 100 percent of the costs of a purchase. If the cost of the appliance exceeds the cap, the program will pay a portion of the total costs up to the cap, according to information provided by the governor’s office.
“Our top priority is making sure those affected by these storms have the help they need to recover,” Governor Cuomo said in a press release issued last week. “This program will cover the costs for critical household appliances and help New Yorkers who suffered property damage to save money as they rebuild after the storms.”
Grants will be available for the most critical energy efficient equipment and appliances. Residents statewide in affected areas will be eligible and must affirm that they have been impacted by Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee and that these products are not covered by insurance or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance.
For residents affected by Hurricane Irene, grants on purchases of approved appliances and equipment will be retroactive to August 29, 2011. For residents affected by Tropical Storm Lee, grants will be retroactive to September 9, 2011.
Grants will be for Energy Star-qualified appliances and equipment where applicable. Rebates for furnaces will be $2,000; for boilers, $2,500; for hot water heater tanks, $400; for refrigerators, $350; for clothes washers and dryers, $250; and for dehumidifiers, $100.
Purchases of appliances and equipment, with the exception of dehumidifiers, must be for replacement purposes only and purchases covered by insurance or FEMA are not eligible. All grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for completed applications, which are available at NYSApplianceRebates.com or by calling
(877) NY-SMART. The grant program will continue until funding runs out.
Dawn Watson on Sep 20, 2011