The Kansas Housing Resources Corporation has launched a new appliance rebate program that rewards low-income households for replacing old, electricity-guzzling household appliances with new energy efficient models.

The Kansas State Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement Program, known popularly as Cash for Appliances, will start with applicants who missed out on a previous KHRC program called Residential Appliance Replacement. When that program ended earlier in 2009, 1,500 applicants remained.

The KHRC will contact that pool of applicants to determine interest in the new appliance rebate program. Applicants will have until 5 p.m. Jan. 15, 2010, to complete and return applications for the new program. After Jan. 19, if funding is still available, the application process will be opened to new low-income applicants.

Qualifying applicants will receive rebate vouchers through the mail that they will can be applied toward the cost of a new appliance at a participating retailer. Vouchers may also cover delivery costs, but won't cover installation charges.

Eligible appliances:

• Clothes washer - $800
• Dishwasher - $400
• Refrigerator - $700
• Freezer - $600
• Window air conditioner - $200

Income limits for the rebates are based on 75 percent of Kansas' current median income, which are:

• 1 person - $27,247
• 2 persons - $35,630
• 3 persons - $44,014
• 4 persons - $52,397

New appliances will qualify only if they have earned the Energy Star label. Old appliances to be recycled must be at least 10 years old and must be properly disposed of by retailers.

The goal of the program is to serve low-income households particularly vulnerable to high energy costs, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, and households with a high-energy burden.

The state of Kansas will receive $2.6 million of the nearly $300 million available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the program, visit the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation Web site or call the state info line at 785-296-8440.