Arizona is planning a rebate program this spring to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances.

The state will offer mail-in rebates starting April 12 toward the purchase of Energy Star-qualified appliances.

Rebates will vary based on the appliances' efficiency levels, including modified energy factor (MEF), water factor (WF), kilowatt hour (kWh) and energy factor (EF). For definitions of these terms, visit the Arizona Department of Commerce Web site.

Eligible appliances and rebates are as follows:

• Clothes washers (MEF ≥ 1.8; WF ≤ 7.5) - $125
• Clothes washers (MEF ≥ 2.0; WF ≤ 6.0) - $200
• Dishwashers (≤ 324 kWh/year and ≤ 5.8 gallons per cycle) - $75
• Dishwashers (≤ 307 kWh/year and ≤ 5.0 gallons per cycle) - $125
• Gas-condensing water heaters (EF ≥ 0.8) - $200
• Electric heat pump (EF ≥ 2.0) - $425
• Gas storage water heaters (EF ≥ 0.67) - $200
• Gas tankless water heaters (EF ≥ 0.82) - $300

Rebate claims must be made within 14 days of purchase. Arizona encourages residents to recycle the old appliances.

The program is one of 56 State Energy-Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs, popularly known as Cash for Appliances, that are being set up in the United States and six U.S. territories with the help of federal stimulus money.

Arizona will receive about $6.2 million of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the Cash for Appliances program, visit the Arizona Department of Commerce Web site or call 602-771-1186.