Usually on hiatus from August through October, the V.I. Energy Office’s rebate program has been extended until Oct. 1.
Don Buchanan of the Energy Office said a new, expanded program using federal economic stimulus funds is slated to come on line by Oct. 1, so if you’re planning a big purchase it may pay to wait.
"It will cover more items and be more attractive to residents," he said.
According to Buchanan, the Energy Office decided to extend the program now so people making purchases during the transition between the old and new programs wouldn’t miss out. The rebate extension was effective Aug. 1.
Purchase must be made from certified vendors and rebate applications must reach the Energy Office within 30 days of the purchase to be eligible for a rebate.
The rebate program includes 20 percent off the purchase price to a maximum of $600 on Energy Star appliances. These are appliances rated as energy efficient and carry the Energy Star seal. They include room air conditioners, ceiling fans, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
Those who buy Energy Star compact fluorescent lights bulbs will get $5 off the purchase of three or more. The rebate also applies to a four-pack. Purchasers are limited to five coupons per rebate cycle.
On St. John, the appliances must be purchased at Appliance Plus at 693-9411. On St. Thomas, shop at Expo by Appliance Plus at 775-9411 and Western Auto at 775-4400.
On St. Croix, purchase appliances at Best Furniture and Appliances at 778-6440, Carlos Warehouse at 778-6556, Gallows Bay Hardware at 773-1034, IEnergy at 719-5440, Oscar Refrigeration and Furniture at 718-1740, and Quality Electric Supply at 773-4630.
To further reduce energy consumption, invest in alternative energy. Rebates are available on several items. Purchasers are limited to one rebate per item per rebate cycle. They must be purchased from approved dealers.
- Photovoltaic panels carry rebates of $3.50 per watt with a limit of one kilowatt.
- Solar hot water heaters 81 to 120 gallons in size are eligible for a $1,000 rebate. Those that hold 40 to 80 gallons carry a rebate of $700, and those 39 gallons and below are eligible for a $500 rebate.
- Save 20 percent on the cost of a wind turbine generator. There is a maximum rebate of $3,500.
- Purchase a sine wave inverter and get 15 percent off the retail price with a maximum of $1,000. The purchase must be made in conjunction with photovoltaic or solar panels or wind generators.
- Get 25 percent off the cost of an electric water heater timer. There is a limit of one.
Approved dealers on St. Croix are All Rounder Systems at 719-5500, Electricity Wise Strategies at 773-9473, Gallows Bay Hardware at 773-1034, Go Green/On The Level at 719-3783, IEnergy at 719-5440, M&M Construction at 773-1500, Quad State Solar at 332-1259, Quality Electric Supply at 773-4630, Solar Delivered at 718-4266, Solar Solutions at 514-4704, Sustainable Systems at 718-4711, V.I. Solar Depot at 718-0234, and West Indies Solair at 773-4790.
On St. Thomas and St. John, purchase items at Altona Trading and Sales at 774-3373, Eagle Energy at 998-7084, Energy All Over at 334-0552, Green Power V.I. Inc. at 776-2697, Pangea Solar and Electric at 776-9628, Quantum at 777-5638, Sapphire International at 244-7401, Silent Power at 774-5875, Supply Resources Inc. at 775-7483, Virgin Energies at 643-1736, and West Indies Windsurfing at 775-6530.
For more information, contact Leila Muller at 773-1082, extension 2201.
