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Applications for Qualifying Purchases will be Available Online or By Calling Toll-Free

NASHVILLE – Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today announced the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) will open Tuesday, Aug. 24 at noon CDT. Rebates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualifying Energy Star heating and cooling appliances, funded out of $5.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars. Applications will be available online at www.e-rebates.org/teearp or by phone at 1-877-741-4304.

"Assisting Tennesseans in purchasing Energy Star heating and cooling units will help people reduce their energy usage and lower their utility bills, while also having a positive impact on our environment,” said Commissioner Kisber. “The Rebate Program is a welcome step in the right direction for our state’s future energy conservation initiatives.”

Eligible appliances include air source heat pumps, central air conditioners, gas furnaces and room air conditioners with the Energy Star designation. A rebate of $250 will be available for the air source heat pumps and central air conditioners, a rebate of $150 will be available for gas furnaces, and a rebate of $40 will be available for room air conditioners. Purchases made on or after April 22, 2010 will be eligible for the rebate. Through a competitive bid process, the state of Tennessee selected Conservation Services Group (CSG) to act as a third-party rebate administrator for the program.

The state of Tennessee is partnering with the Tennessee Valley Authority to reduce administrative and processing costs, as well as to help market and promote the Rebate Program. Additionally, consumers receiving rebates under the state’s program may be eligible for further financial assistance through TVA’s existing residential efficiency programs. Visit www.energyright.com for details.

“This is a great time for Tennesseans to replace old heat pumps and air conditioners, lower their power bills, and help protect the environment,” said Bob Balzar, TVA vice president of Energy Efficiency and Demand Response. “Efficient appliances also reduce power demand and help avert the need for new power plants. TVA is committed to this partnership and to the increased energy efficiency it will bring to residents of the state of Tennessee.”

Statewide, the estimated energy savings for delivery and installation of qualified heating and cooling products is approximately 16 million kilowatt hours per year. A reduction in energy use of that size translates to a yearly savings of almost $1.4 million in energy costs for Tennesseans and reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by 32 million pounds annually.

“CSG is excited to have the opportunity to further advance energy efficiency in the state through our association with the appliance rebate program,” said Bruce Teal, regional vice president for CSG.

To qualify for the program, consumers must complete the following steps in applying for a rebate:

1. Visit www.e-rebates.org/teearp to begin the online rebate application process. Consumers who do not have access to the Internet should call 1-877-741-4304, and an application will be mailed.

2. On the website identify the qualifying appliance at the top of the page and click “Proceed” to begin an application.

3. Complete the application in its entirety, and then print, sign and date.

4. All completed and signed applications, whether started online or not, must be mailed along with (a) a sales receipt or invoice that shows the date of purchase, cost, and equipment make and model and (b) a copy of a recent electric utility bill for the installation address to one of the following addresses.

For rebates on air source heat pumps, central air conditioners or gas furnaces, mail the signed, completed application and supporting documents to:

CSG Incentive Processing
TN Appliance Rebate Program
P.O. Box 290189
Nashville, TN 37229-0189

For rebates on room air conditioners, mail the signed, completed application and supporting documents to:

EFI Incentive Processing
TN Appliance Rebate Program
Room AC Application
P.O. Box 1248
Westborough, MA 01581-1248

Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the application’s postmarked date. Rebates will be distributed as a prepaid Citibank® MasterCard® and will take approximately 6-8 weeks to receive. Only one rebate per household will be accepted.

Questions about the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program should be directed to CSG at 1-877-741-4304.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd or www.investtennessee.org.

About Conservation Services Group (CSG):
Based in Westborough, MA., CSG employs more than 600 people in dozens of offices nationwide. Founded in 1984, CSG provides energy savings strategies, program design, management services and technologies to consumers and businesses. For more information, visit www.csgrp.com.

About TVA
The Tennessee Valley Authority, a corporation owned by the U.S. government, provides electricity for 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states at prices below the national average. TVA, which receives no taxpayer money and makes no profits, also provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists utilities and state and local governments with economic development.

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Contacts:

Media Only:
Valerie Somerville, ECD
Office: (615) 532-1925
E-mail: Valerie.somerville@tn.gov

Consumer Inquiries:
Conservation Services Group
Phone: (877) 741-4304