N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul announces thousands in rebates for shoppers of these energy-efficient appliances

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New Yorkers shopping for clothes dryers may be eligible for retail rebates to offset the costs of buying and installing energy-efficient versions of those appliances.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that New Yorkers with incomes that are considered low and moderate are eligible for the rebates through the state’s new Appliance Upgrade Program, the first of its kind offered by any state in the country.

The program, offered at participating retailers, provides incentives for consumers to replace inefficient clothes dryers powered by electricity or gas with alternatives that use clean-energy heat pumps. Combination washer-dryer units with heat pumps also are included in the program. The rebates may offset the cost of necessary electrical upgrades, according to a news release from Hochul’s office.

State contractors are eligible to enroll in the program to receive incentives for installations.

“New York is demonstrating its continued commitment to ensuring an equitable energy transition by leveraging all federal funds available to incentivize consumers to make energy efficient appliance purchases a priority,” Hochul said. “As a result of these new rebates, low- and moderate-income New Yorkers will save energy and money while doing their laundry with modern technology that will reduce emissions.”

The Appliance Upgrade Program will allow income-eligible customers earning up to 150% of the state’s area median income to apply for rebates on a first-come, first-served basis. The rebates are for eligible consumers who replace dryers that are not working, old or inefficient with appliances that have Energy Star certification.

Eligible consumers also could receive additional support for electrical wiring and/or panel upgrades that may be necessary for installations.

Households may receive a maximum of $840 in incentives for purchase and installation of qualified dryers. Additional maximum incentives of $2,500 and $4,000, respectively, may be used for necessary electrical wiring and panel upgrades.

Households under 80% area median income are eligible to receive up to $14,000 in total combined incentives under the Appliance Upgrade Program and EmPower+, which helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence. New York will expand the rebate program in 2025 to include additional clean-energy appliances and eligibility for owners to apply for rebates for their apartment buildings that house low- and moderate-income families.

Dryers that have heat pumps and Energy Star certification use about 70% less electricity than conventional dryers and save consumers money on utility bills.

The program is administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Home Energy Rebate (HER) Programs.

New York also was the first state to offer HER funding for upgrades to improve energy efficiency and electrification in homes through the IRA. New York’s total allocation of federal funding is $317.4 million, with $159 million from the HER programs and $158.4 million from the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate program.

Participating retailers include:

• Connect Distributors – New York City Metro Area
• Happy Electronics – Flushing, New York
• Keith’s Appliances – Norwich, Connecticut
• Klearview Appliance – Brooklyn, New York
• LG Electronics – Statewide
• Michael’s Appliance – Middletown, New York
• Orville’s Appliance – Western New York Area
• PC Richard & Son New York City Metro/Long Island
• Riester’s Appliances – Auburn, New York
• Samsung – Statewide
• Supreme Appliances – Monroe, New York
• S&W Appliances – Brooklyn, New York