I'd like to pay less money for clean clothes

February 14, 2009 7:09 AM

Does anyone know details of the Energy Star rebate in the Stimulus bill? I was going to buy a new washing machine today, but I'm wondering if my purchase would count if the bill isn't signed yet. And knowing how much the rebate would be may make a difference in the model I pick.
posted by saffry to Home & Garden (3 answers total)

You can read through the bill yourself. It's immense, so the way to go is probably to download it, then doing some searches for appropriate keywords.
posted by chrisamiller at 9:14 AM on February 14, 2009 [1 favorite]

From some quick grepping, I think you're out of luck. This seems to be the relevant section:

PART III—ENERGY CONSERVATION INCENTIVES
SEC. 1121. EXTENSION AND MODIFICATION OF CREDIT FOR
NONBUSINESS ENERGY PROPERTY.
IN GENERAL.—Section 25C is amended by strik-
ing subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following new
subsections:
‘‘(a) ALLOWANCE
OF CREDIT.—In the case of an in-
dividual, there shall be allowed as a credit against the tax
imposed by this chapter for the taxable year an amount
equal to 30 percent of the sum of—
‘‘(1) the amount paid or incurred by the tax-
payer during such taxable year for qualified energy
efficiency improvements, and
‘‘(2) the amount of the residential energy prop-
erty expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer
during such taxable year.
‘‘(b) LIMITATION.—The aggregate amount of the
credits allowed under this section for taxable years begin-
ning in 2009 and 2010 with respect to any taxpayer shall
not exceed $1,500.’’.

It then lists some detailed modifications to the requirements for the following:

(1) ELECTRIC HEAT PUMPS
(2) CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONERS
(3) WATER HEATERS
(4) WOOD STOVES
(4) QUALIFIED NATURAL GAS, PROPANE, AND OIL FURNACES AND HOT WATER BOILERS

So what you'll need to do is find the original law that contains the "credit for nonbusiness energy property", then look in section 25C to see if washers are already listed there. Hope this gets you started.
posted by chrisamiller at 9:45 AM on February 14, 2009

Best answer: This seems to be a breakdown of what's covered under 25C. I'd ask the salespeople at the store - I bet they'll be all over that, since it's something that can help them make a sale. Either way, it looks like it's a tax credit, so you wouldn't need to wait. As long as you buy it this year, you can submit the documentation next year with your taxes and it should be eligible.

And now, I'm really done... :)
posted by chrisamiller at 9:50 AM on February 14, 2009