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S. Fla. Appliance Rebate: Go Green And Save Green

MIAMI (CBS4) - Nearly a million dollars is up for grabs in South Florida, offered to people who are looking to upgrade their appliances.  You can save up to 250 dollars, and go green at the same time.

Instead of rushing off to the store for her new refrigerator Brenda Flowers spent Wednesday night learning about how to get paid to buy a new fridge.

"Sure money plays into it. If you can get $150 dollars for doing something right you still want the $150 dollars.  But you still want to do the right thing," Flowers said.

The program called Energy Sense starts next week and is will put rebates in the pockets of thousands of South Florida residents just for buying an energy efficient Energy Star refrigerators or washers.

Mital Hall from Broward County's Sustainability Program explained the energy start appliances will save you roughly 20% off your monthly utility bill.

"Refrigerators are about one sixth of your utility bill.  So we took that into consideration.  The clothes washers they use energy and they utilize a great deal of water.  Energy star washers save about 50% in water,"  Hall said.

The rebates are pretty hefty too.  For a new refrigerator, depending on the size, you can collect up to $250.  For a washing machine you get $150 back.  To be eligible for the rebate you must pre-register starting Monday by phone or on the web.  Then you have to purchase a new appliance before November 4th.  Finally you must recycle your old appliance.

For Flowers all makes economic sense while saving the environment.

"It won't be destroyed before I'm in my grave but my grandchildren, my great grand-children, I want them to have a nice environment to live in," Flowers said.

Officials say the you have to register to get the rebate, and the appliance you are buying must have an Energy Star logo on it.

The money is expected to go fast.  For information on how to register by phone or email go to the following websites:  www.broward.org/gogreen or http://green.miamidade.gov/appliancerebate.htm

You can also call to register at 954-357-7328 in Broward and 3-1-1 in Miami-Dade

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