Appliance Rebate Program Begins

The second major consumer stimulus program started last month for Ohioan.

It went from Cash for Clunkers to Money Wads for Washers. Would you prefer Resources for Refrigerators? How about Green Stuff for Gas Water Heaters?

Nothing has the same ring as the title for the energy-efficient car rebate program from last fall. And that's not the only difference between this program and the controversial car program.

First, there will be a cap on the number of rebates allotted. There will be 89,335 rebates will be issued for the state to accommodate the $10,469,000 budget.

Second, the state is running the program, not the federal government. Maybe this will help cut down on confusion. In Texas, car dealers told me they had problems reporting the clunker deals because the system overloaded. So hopefully a state run program will run smoother.

Third, the consumer, not the retailer, is responsible to reply for the rebate. Any one interested needs to go to the program's Web site, apply for the rebate and fill out the proof of recycling form.

So the program is more efficient, but more difficult. My guess is that less people will utilize this as opposed to the clunkers' program.