Hawaiʻi Energy Launches Window Air Conditioner $50 Rebate

Hawaii Energy AC trade up.

By Wendy Osher

A trade up promotion for energy efficient air conditioning comes as Maui faced three consecutive days of high temperatures this week, including a record breaking 95 degree temperature on Saturday.

Hawaiʻi Energy, a ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program for Hawaiʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu, launched the new rebate offer for Maui residents this week called the “Window AC Trade-Up.”

Under the offer, residents can receive a $50 rebate when they purchase a qualified ENERGY STAR window air conditioner and recycle their old working one.  To qualify, the new model must have a minimum Energy Efficiency Ratio of 10.8.

Applications for the rebate are provided by participating retailers at the time of purchase, and can be found on Maui at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Sears.

The program provides fee pick-up and recycling as part of the offer.

Program representatives say the rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be available while funding lasts.

According to Hawaiʻi Energy’s Rob Deveraturda, residents can expect to save about 235 kilowatt hours or $80 annually based on an average of $0.34/kWh used, compared to a non-ENERGY STAR model.  Factors that can impact savings include usage, model and electricity rates.

“The Window AC Trade-Up is a win-win for residents and the environment,” said Caroline Carl, Hawaiʻi Energy Residential & Transformational Program Director in a press release.  “Old air conditioners won’t wind up in landfills and the rebate can help pay for a new one that can save more energy.  The recycling process is really convenient, conducted responsibly and totally free for residents.”

The offer is currently available on Maui Island, but not on the outer islands of Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.

Similar rebate offers have been offered through the program in the past for other appliances such as refrigerators and solar water heaters.