Cash for Appliances Seeks to Outdo Cash for Clunkers in Fall

Cash for Appliances is coming in the fall, as Cash for Appliances hopes to match and outdo Cash for Clunkers in various ways. Cash for Appliances hopes to have the economic success of Cash for Clunkers, without any problems like running out of money and funds. Cash for Appliances will work in the same fashion as Cash for Clunkers, except it is household goods that people will be trading instead of cars. Once again, the goal is for a "Cash for" program to get customers to buy more environmental-friendly items, and stimulate the economy.

Cash for Appliances will kick off in the fall, with preliminary funds of $300 million. But if Cash for Appliances follows the pattern of Cash for Clunkers, then it will need more funds than that in almost no time.

In the tradition of the Clunkers program, Cash for Appliances will allow consumers to trade in some of their old, beaten down, wasteful products. In this case, they can trade in old refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and other kitchen appliances.

With the money consumers receive for trading in their old appliances, they can purchase replacements that are more new and energy efficient, and are certified by Energy Star. Cash for Appliances standards are being written individually for each state, and could be put into place by November.

The Cash for Appliances program is stimulating an industry that has gotten a bit overlooked in the recent economic mess. But the appliances industry has been in a downturn as well, despite not getting the press and attention of the automobile and banking industry.

The appliances industry hopes to do better with their stimulus programs than those embattled industries. The banking bailouts remain controversial, and the automobile industry's success with Cash for Clunkers didn't last that long, now that the program is about to be pulled.

Cash for Appliances hopes to work well enough to get the appliance industry back on track, but not so well that it runs into the same problems as Cash for Clunkers did. But Cash for Appliances may not be under the same spotlight as that earlier program, so it may have a better chance to run smoothly and avoid the same controversy.

Appliances may not come under the same debate and controversy as cars do, but they are as valuable inside the home as cars are for getting people outside of their home. Therefore, Cash for Appliances may be even more valuable to the average customer.

Sources

ABC News- "Cash for Clunkers Type Rebate to Be Offered on Energy-Efficient Cash for Home Appliances" abcnews.go.com/Technology/JustOneThing/story