Special to The Hays Daily News

Income-eligible Kansans looking to purchase new, energy efficient appliances can now apply for assistance through the State Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement Program.  The program, created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provides rebate vouchers ranging from $200 to $800 to low-income consumers who purchase Energy Star rated appliances.

"This program not only allows families to save money on monthly utility bills, it also helps the environment and gives a boost to local businesses" said Gary Allsup, executive director for Kansas Housing Resources Corporation).

Qualifying appliances include new refrigerators, clothes washers, freezers, dishwashers and window air conditioners that have earned the Energy Star label. Appliances to be recycled must be at least 10 years old. Rebates cannot be applied to purchases made prior to voucher approval.

To be eligible, applicants must meet SEEARP income guidelines. Income limits are based on 75 percent of Kansas' current median income, which follow:

* One person  $27,247

* Two people $35,630

* Three people $44,014

* Four people $52,397

To apply, download application forms from KHRC's Web site at www.kshousing corp.org or call (800) 752-4422 and request a packet be mailed to you. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications or those without required documentation will not be accepted.

Once an applicant is approved, KHRC will mail a rebate voucher to the consumer, who can take the voucher to a participating retailer. Retailers honor the rebates (up to the amount of the voucher) as cash for the new appliance. Amounts in excess of the voucher and any installation charges must be paid for by the consumer.

After delivering the new appliance and recycling the old unit in accordance with KDHE guidelines, retailers can submit rebate vouchers to KHRC for reimbursement. KHRC will review all submitted documents to ensure program requirements have been met. Once approved, KHRC will make payment directly to the retailer.

Note to Retailers: SEEARP rebate vouchers may cover appliance and delivery costs. The program does not provide payment for installation charges.

Congress appropriated nearly $300 million nationwide to support state rebate programs for residential Energy Star appliance products. Kansas received $2.6 million in funding.

KHRC designed Kansas' program after another successful energy-efficiency initiative launched last year. The Residential Appliance Replacement Program converted a $4 million dollar investment from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program into nearly $19 million in lifetime energy savings for low-income families.

When last year's program ended, KHRC still had nearly 1500 applications for services. KHRC used this data base of eligible customers to initiate SEEARP.  To date, approximately $600,000 has been committed for vouchers and $2 million in funding remains available for the application round starting January 19th, 2010.

SEEARP will be administered within the existing structure of the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. These programs are funded by the U.S Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, respectively. Both programs serve low-income individuals and families.

For more information, call the information line at (785) 296-8440 or visit KHRC's Web site atwww.kshousingcorp.org.