Pennsylvania is planning a rebate program this spring to help residents replace older, inefficient appliances with energy-efficient appliances.

The state will offer mail-in rebates toward the purchase of Energy Star-qualified and ultra-efficient appliances. The program is tentatively scheduled to begin in April 2010 and will end when funds are depleted.

Residents may be able to "reserve" rebates in advance.

Eligible appliances are as follows:

• Gas storage water heaters
• Gas tankless water heaters
• Oil furnaces
• Gas furnaces
• Oil boilers
• Gas boilers

Residents are encouraged to recycle their old appliances.

The program is one of 56 State 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.

Pennsylvania will receive about $11.9 million of the nearly $300 million in stimulus funding available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

For more information on the Cash for Appliances program, visit the Pennsylvania Recovery Web site or call 717-783-8411.