Illinois is offering a two-phase instant rebate program this year to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with Energy Star-qualified models.

The first phase began Jan. 31 and offers consumers rebates on eligible heating and cooling equipment if installed by a participating contractor. It had also offered rebates on water heaters, but that portion of the funding has been used up.

Rebates available on heating and cooling equipment are as follows:

• Gas and propane furnaces (AFUE ≥ 95%) - $350
• Gas boilers (AFUE ≥ 90%) - $1,200
• Central air conditioners (≥SEER 16) - $500
• Air source heat pumps (≥SEER 16 ) - $1,000

The second phase, which gave consumers 15 percent markdowns on Energy Star appliances at select retail locations, began April 16. All the funding was claimed by 7 p.m. central time the same day.

The program offered rebates on the following appliances:

• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Clothes washers
• Dish washers
• Room air conditioners

An additional mail-in rebate of $50 for clothes washer and dishwashers and $100 for refrigerators and freezers will be available upon pick-up and recycling of the old unit.

To receive new product rebates, consumers must purchase from participating retailers. Appliances must be purchased during the program and rebates won't be retroactive. If funds are remaining, the appliance rebates may be offered for a second period, most likely in the fall.

The program is one of 56 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.

Illinois will receive about $12.4 million of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the program, visit the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Web site.