Thousands Of Oklahomans Cashing In On Old Appliances

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Thousands of Oklahomans are cashing in on their old clunkers. The government is paying you to trade in your old and worn out appliances for more energy efficient upgrades.

Rob and Tammie Perron got up at 3:30 a.m. Saturday to take part in the latest cash for clunkers program. They say the government stimulus program couldn't have come at a better time.

"My agitator has plastic tape around it. I'm not kidding, duct tape. It's bad. It's 12-years-old. Dryer doesn't shut off. This is so long overdue," the Perron's said.

"I have a very old refrigerator now, 15 to 20-years-old, so it's probably a good thing to get it out of the system," said Gail Foster, who is a cash for clunkers shopper.

The idea is to trade in and upgrade to Energy Star -- more energy efficient versions.

"It's kind of funny. My washer just went out. So yes, I did need a washer," said Roxanne Saleme, who is a cash for clunkers shopper.

The rebates vary -- $50 for a room air conditioner; $200 for a washer or refrigerator; $250 for ground or air source heat pumps.

Oklahoma officials say the $3.5 million program could mean 23,000 rebates.

Lee Sherman from Hahn Appliance Warehouse says the first thing they do is log online to see how much money is left in the program.

"If there is money left we go to the next screen, that's where we fill out the customer information: name, address, phone number, what they bought, verify it's Energy Star qualifying product and boom, prints out the rebate and we're able to hand it to the customer and everything is good to go," said Sherman.

Hahn Appliance says sales were constant all day on Saturday. They say there is still about $1.6 million left in the program. So you still have a good chance to get in on the Cash for Clunker Rebates.

5/7/2010  Related Story: Cash For Clunker Appliance Rebate Program Kicks Off

Oklahoma Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program

The following 'B7 items qualify, with the rebate listed:

• Clothes washers, $200
• Refrigerators, $200
• Room air conditions, $50
• Water heaters, $100
• Central air conditioners, $100
• Gas furnaces, $100
• Ground source heat pumps, $250
• Air source heat pumps, $250

Learn more about Cash for Clunker Appliances