Starting this spring, federal stimulus funds will become available for you to upgrade your appliances. Under the American Recover and Reinvestment Act, the federal government has allocated $2.8 million to Mississippi for a residential appliance trade-in program with a tentative start date of April 2010.

Under the program, all kinds of appliances are eligible to receive a rebate when traded for newer, energy-efficient models. The Mississippi Development Authority's Energy Division will partner with utility companies and retailers to promote the program, releasing complete details at that time.

The list of eligible appliances includes:

* Dishwashers
* Room air conditioners
* Refrigerators
* Clothes washers
* Freezers
* Gas storage water heaters
* Tankless water heaters
* Geothermal heat pumps
* Heat pump water heaters
* Air source heat pumps
* Gas furnaces
* Central air conditioners