Delaware and Idaho both ended their cash for appliance programs on August 31. Despite their modest scope—Delaware distributed $838,800 in federal funding, while Idaho dished out $1.46 million—officials in both states were upbeat about their programs’ long-term benefits for energy savings and consumer education. “We’ve created more efficiency-minded consumers who are going to help transform the marketplace and pass their consumption patterns to their kids," says Paul Kjellander, the administrator of Idaho’s Office of Energy. "That’s key because it’s the consumer that defines how markets develop.”

“Where we got creative is trying to focus on saving electricity and water, so we were trying to focus on appliances like dishwashers and washing machines that could do both, rather than refrigerators” says Collin O’Mara, Secretary of Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

In other cash for appliances news:

• Florida, whose cash for appliances program ended in April, launched a new state program that will provide 10,000 $1,500 rebates on energy-efficient central air conditioning systems. But concerns have arisen that there are may not be enough accredited professionals to perform the sophisticated duct testing required by the program.
• West Virginia, which still has approximately $1.05 million available in its cash for appliances program, is running a sales-tax holiday on Energy Star-qualified washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats, ceiling fans, air conditioners, and CFL light bulbs through November 30. That’s a six percent savings for consumers.

Cash for appliance rebates are still available in 33 states and territories. Next week check for Consumer Reports Energy Saving package will be online and on newsstands.

—Gian Trotta