Moorhead Public Service (MPS) recently announced that it will hold a fall event that offers rebates, in the form of a utility bill credit, to customers willing to part with old, working refrigerators, freezers, and room air conditioners. This Appliance Turn-In Program is part of MPS’ incentive program called Bright Energy Solutions^®, which provides a variety of energy efficiency rebates for residents and businesses alike.

MPS’ General Manager Bill Schwandt said the utility’s Appliance Turn-In Program is designed to help its electric customers get rid of old “energy hog” appliances in their garage or basement. Those old refrigerators and freezers can use three to four times as much energy as new models and are often used for only a few items. As part of the program, MPS will provide a $35 rebate to a customer for each fridge or freezer “turned-in.” If the customer has an old working room air conditioner, it can be picked up along with a fridge or freezer for an additional $25 rebate. MPS will arrange to have the appliances picked up at the customer’s home for free and will even haul them out of the garage or basement. Appliances will be disposed of and recycled in an environmentally-responsible way through a national recycling company.  

Electric customers of MPS can call the utility at 218.299.5400 to schedule a free pick-up. The recycling truck will be in Moorhead during the week of October 10, 2011, to pick-up the appliances. Customers should call MPS by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2011, to make sure they get on the pick-up route. 

“This program will provide a service that many of our customers can benefit from,” MPS’ Energy Services Manager Dennis Eisenbraun said. “It is an easy way for them to get rid of an old appliance and save money on their electric bill.” 

The old refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners must be in working order (cooling) to qualify for this program. They also must be a minimum of 10 cubic feet in size. Only electric customers of MPS are eligible to participate; they must own the unit(s) being recycled; and there is a limit of two large units, plus one room air conditioner, per residential address.

To learn more about the rebates offered by MPS, visit www.mpsutility.com. 

Moorhead Public Service is a community-owned utility serving the residents of Moorhead, Minnesota, with electricity and water.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview,

please contact General Manager Bill Schwandt or Energy Services Manager Dennis Eisenbraun.