Sears Helps Americans Access 'Cash For Appliance' Rebates From States Awarded Funding

Sears Blue Appliance Crew Provides Consumers with Tools to Find Energy Efficiency Savings


HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. Dec. 9  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Sears Blue Appliance Crew is helping Americans better understand and take advantage of the more than $300 million in rebates that are now becoming available for energy-saving appliances and activities. These "Cash for Appliance" rebates are in addition to the existing ENERGY STAR rebates that have been made available over the past several years.

To date, the Department of Energy has approved plans and awarded funding to 36 U.S. states and territories for rebates related to ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP), also know as "Cash for Appliances." While program details are continuing to develop, Sears is committed to making it easy and affordable for consumers to "go green" by offering numerous tracking tools at Sears.com/energystar.

"We're energized by the 'Cash for Appliances' rebate program and its ability to introduce many more of our shoppers to ENERGY STAR," said Doug Moore, president of home appliances for Sears. "With so much discussion around the program and various rebates available, the Sears Blue Appliance Crew is there to make it easier for customers to go green affordably - so that our shoppers can find, file and often receive their rebates before they leave the store."

For consumers looking to purchase new ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the Sears Blue Appliance Crew will:

  --  Send email updates to customers who have signed up at
      Sears.com/energystar to receive them, regarding which state programs
      are "live";
  --  Help eliminate the hassle by finding and helping customers where
      possible, submit rebates for appliance purchases before they leave the
      store;
  --  Provide information about which appliances qualify for the rebate,
      both in-store and online at  Sears.com/energystar;
  --  Offer details on the individual state rebate programs, including when
      and how much will be available, and any guidelines that may apply; and
  --  Assist consumers with the responsible removal and disposal of their
      old appliances, as needed.




In an effort to rid the energy grid of old "clunker" appliances, the Department of Energy is encouraging states to incorporate recycling into their "Cash for Appliances" programs. Many states, such as California and Ohio will require recycling, and others like Florida and Illinois will provide an additional rebate for consumers who dispose of their old appliances in a responsible manner. As the only national retailer certified by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency to facilitate its Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program, Sears will make it easier for customers across the country to recycle their appliances by providing removal of one appliance for each appliance delivered.

Sears' RAD program helps to facilitate the environmentally responsible disposal of household appliances, and significantly reduces emissions of ozone depleting substances and greenhouse gases. Each year, the program assists in the proper disposal of more than one million residential appliances. To date, the program has helped prevent the release of more than 600,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents into the air. That equates to preventing the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 183,000 cars a year.

Additionally, the Sears Blue Appliance Crew offers the largest assortment of ENERGY STAR-rated appliances', making it even easier for customers to find models that incorporate advanced technologies that result in 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models. For instance, the new Kenmore Elite high-efficiency clothes washer saves 69 percent water and 61 percent energy, to reduce utility bills and help conserve natural resources (compared to a conventional washer manufactured before 2004, using the Normal cycle).

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded funding to the following 36 states and territories. Program details, as outlined at http://www.energysavers.gov/rebates, are ongoing (see table below).

            Approved State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs
                            (As of December 4, 2009)

                                       Eligible
                           Projected   ENERGY STAR
              Allocation   Start       Qualified       Rebate
  State       of Funds     Date        Appliances      Amounts     Recycling
  -----       ----------   ---------   -----------     -------     ---------

  Alabama    $4,473,000  April 2010   Select           $25 - $150 Encouraged
                                      clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      freezers,
                                      and room
                                      air
                                      conditioners
                                      (replacement
                                      of old
                                      appliances
                                      mandatory)

  Alaska       $658,000   February    Select          $150 - $500        TBD
                           2010       clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      and
                                      freezers

  California  $35,267,000 March 2010  Select           $50 - $100   Required
                                      clothes
                                      washers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      and room
                                      air
                                      conditioners

  Colorado    $4,739,000  March 2010  Program has             TBD        TBD
                                      been
                                      approved by
                                      the U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Connecticut  $3,359,000 January     Select           $50 - $500        TBD
                           2010       clothes
                                      washers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      freezers,
                                      room air
                                      conditioners,
                                      and central
                                      air conditioning

  Delaware     $838,000   December    Select           $25 - $200        TBD
                           2009       clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      freezers,
                                      dehumidifiers,
                                      room air
                                      conditioners,
                                      and water
                                      heaters


  Florida   $17,585,000  April 2010   Select             20% off  Additional
                                      clothes              the    $75 rebate
                                      washers,           purchase    offered
                                      dishwashers,         price      for
                                      refrigerators,      before   recycling
                                      freezers,           taxes
                                      gas tankless
                                      water heaters,
                                      and room air
                                      conditioners

  Georgia    $9,293,000    February   Program has             TBD        TBD
                             2010     been
                                      approved by
                                      the U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as
                                      available

  Idaho      $1,462,000    February   Select           $25 - $150   Required
                             2010     clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      room air
                                      conditioners,
                                      electric
                                      heat pump
                                      water
                                      heaters,
                                      and gas
                                      water
                                      heaters

  Illinois  $12,379,000    January    Select           $93 - $316 Additional
                            2010      clothes                      $50 -$100
                                      washers,                      mail- in
                                      dishwashers,                    rebate
                                      refrigerators,                 offered
                                      freezers,                          for
                                      room air                     recycling
                                      conditioners,
                                      and gas
                                      storage
                                      water
                                      heaters

  Indiana    $6,118,000    February   Select           Up to $500        TBD
                             2010     furnace or
                                      heating,
                                      ventilation,
                                      air
                                      conditioning
                                      system
                                      (HVAC)

  Iowa       $2,881,000    January    Select hot      $100 - $500        TBD
                             2010     water
                                      heaters,
                                      clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      room air
                                      conditioners,
                                      central air
                                      conditioning,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      boilers and
                                      furnaces

  Kansas     $2,689,000    December   Program has             TBD        TBD
                             2009     been
                                      approved by
                                      the U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as
                                      available

  Louisiana  $4,232,000    January    Select           $75 - $500        TBD
                            2010      clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      freezers,
                                      water
                                      heaters,
                                      HVAC
                                      systems,
                                      and room
                                      air
                                      conditioners

  Maine      $1,263,000    January    Program has             TBD        TBD
                             2010     been
                                      approved by
                                      the U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Michigan   $9,598,000    Late       Select           $25 - $100 Encouraged
                           Spring     clothes
                           2010       washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      and
                                      refrigerators

  Mississippi $2,820,00    March      Select                  TBD        TBD
                           2010       clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      freezers,
                                      room air
                                      conditioners,
                                      and gas
                                      storage
                                      water
                                      heaters


  Montana      $928,000    April 2010 Select             $50-$100 Encouraged
                                      clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      and freezers

  Nevada      $2,495,000  April 2010  Program                 TBD        TBD
                                      has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  New        $1,262,000  March 2010   Select        $100 - $1,000        TBD
   Hampshire                          hot
                                      water
                                      heaters,
                                      boilers
                                      and furnaces
                                      for solar
                                      thermal or
                                      fossil fuel
                                      based heating
                                      systems

  New Jersey $8,331,000    January    Select                  TBD        TBD
                           2010       heating
                           (heating   and  cooling
                           and        equipment,
                           cooling    clothes
                           equipment  washers,
                           only);     refrigerators,
                           April      and
                           2010       dishwashers

  New York  $18,700,000    February   Select           $50 - $225    Maximum
                             2010     refrigerators,                level of
                                      freezers,                      rebates
                                      clothes                        offered
                                      washers,                           for
                                      and                          recycling
                                      dishwashers

  North      $8,849,000    April 2010 Select              15% off   Required
   Carolina                           clothes             the
                                      washers,            purchase
                                      dishwashers,        of
                                      refrigerators,      qualified
                                      freezers,           appliances
                                      and
                                      water
                                      heaters
  -
  North        $615,000    April 2010 Program                 TBD        TBD
   Dakota                             has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S. Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Ohio      $11,020,000    February   Select          $100 - $250   Required
                             2010     clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      electric
                                      heat pump
                                      water heaters,
                                      and high-
                                      efficiency
                                      gas storage
                                      water heaters

  Oregon       $3,636,000  December   Select            70% up to        TBD
                             2009     gas                 $2,000
                                      furnaces,
                                      and heat
                                      pump
                                      equipment

  Pennsylvania $11,944,000 March 2010 Program                 TBD        TBD
                                      has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  South      $4,298,000    March 2010 Program                 TBD        TBD
   Carolina                           has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of
                                      Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Tennessee  $5,963,000    April 2010 Select           $40 - $250        TBD
                                      air
                                      source
                                      heat
                                      pumps,
                                      central
                                      air conditioners,
                                      and room
                                      air conditioners




  Utah       $2,626,000    February   Program                 TBD        TBD
                             2010     has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of
                                      Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Vermont      $596,000    January    Program                 TBD        TBD
                           2010 /     has been
                           March 2010 approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of
                                      Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Washington $6,284,000    February   Select           $75 - $150 Encouraged
                             2010     clothes
                                      washers
                                      and
                                      refrigerators
  West       $1,741,000    April 2010 Program                 TBD        TBD
   Virginia                           has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of
                                      Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available

  Wisconsin  $5,400,000    January    Select         $25 - $2,000        TBD
                            2010      clothes
                                      washers,
                                      dishwashers,
                                      refrigerators,
                                      freezers,
                                      water heaters,
                                      solar hot
                                      water, boilers,
                                      furnaces,
                                      geothermal
                                      heat pumps,
                                      central air
                                      conditioners,
                                      and air-source
                                      heat pumps

  Guam         $166,000    April 2010 Program                 TBD        TBD
                                      has been
                                      approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as
                                      available

  U.S.         $104,000    December   Program                 TBD        TBD
   Virgin                    2009     has been
   Islands                            approved
                                      by the
                                      U.S.
                                      Department
                                      of Energy;
                                      updates
                                      will be
                                      provided at
                                      Sears.com/energystar
                                      as available



To learn more about Sears' online and in-store Appliance Research Centers, the online ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder and how the Sears Blue Appliance Crew can help, please visit Sears.com/energystar.

About Sears Holdings Corporation

Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada.  Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance.  Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands.  It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered exclusively by Sears and Kmart.  We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually.  Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation.  For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at http://www.searsholdings.com/.

About Sears Home Appliances

Sears is the nation's leading appliance retailer with the largest selection - over 4400 models. Only Sears sells the top 10 brands, including Kenmore, the nation's leading appliance brand. Sears always beats the competition's price, guaranteed, up to 14 days. Sears offers worry-free 1-year service, guaranteed and free help and support on all brands serviced by Sears 24/7 by phone. Sears provides next day delivery on over 1600 models - that's five times more than any national competitor. In March 2009, Sears launched the online ENERGY STAR Rebate Center - a program to help educate Americans about the millions of dollars in rebates that are available for ENERGY STAR-rated products and make it easier to receive these rebates. Sears has demonstrated its commitment to increasing America's energy efficiency through its actions over more than 10 years.

Sears sells more ENERGY STAR-rated appliances than any other retailer. In fact, in 2008, Sears was the first retailer to sell more than 3.1 million ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances from the nation's top brands, including

Kenmore, the nation's leading appliance brand. In 2008 alone, Kenmore ENERGY STAR-rated appliances helped save America nearly 700 million Kilowatt hours, over four billion gallons of water, and over $100 million dollars. 

DATASOURCE: Sears Holdings Corporation



CONTACT:  Larry Costello of Sears Holdings Public Relations,

[phone], or [phone], ; or Jody Sunna

of Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, [phone], or [phone],





Web Site:  http://www.sears.com/

http://www.energysavers.gov/ 



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