West Virginia is planning a rebate program this spring to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances.

The state will offer mail-in rebates toward the purchase of Energy Star-qualified appliances. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin in April and will end in February 2012, or when funds are depleted.

Eligible appliances are as follows:

• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Clothes washers
• Room air conditioners

Consumers can increase rebate amounts for some appliances by purchasing models that are more efficient than the current Energy Star level.

Appliance must be purchased from participating retailers and proof of proper recycling of replaced appliances is required.

The program is one of 56 State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs, popularly known as Cash for Appliances, that are being set up in the United States and six U.S. territories with the help of federal stimulus money.

West Virginia will receive about $1.7 million of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the Cash for Appliances program, visit the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Web site or call 866-568-6649 ext. 1111.