Appliance Bounty Programs: Overview
An appliance bounty program aims to get consumers to turn-in energy inefficient models in return for a payment, rebate or discount towards the purchase of more energy efficient models. Most bounty programs have specifications for the appliances they can accept. Bounty programs are generally organized and administered by a local or regional utility company or Authority. The program reduces the peak-time loads in power plants by reducing older appliances which use more energy.
RATIONALE
Bounty programs seek long-term impacts through the attrition of energy-inefficient appliances that would otherwise remain in use. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Keep Cool Bounty Program is frequently cited as a best practice model.
BENEFITS
- Improves air quality and the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, removing CFC and PCB-laden parts, and recycling metals
- Load Reduction helps utilities meet demand, especially during peak-load times, by reducing impact on the utility generation and transmission grid system
- Economy Gets a Boost from customers seeking to replace their inefficient air conditioners, and who now have more dollars to spend on other goods and services
ACTION AGENTS
Local or regional utility companies.
COST
Because bounty programs are typically administered by utility companies, there are no direct costs to local governments.
