Cash for Refrigerators is Next Stimulus Program Set to Launch

Many experts are not as excited about the new Cash for Refrigerators stimulus plan that is set to launch late in the fall. With a renewed focus on energy efficiency, the appliance stimulus package will offer rebates of $50 to $200 from the federal government on top of the anticipated programs that manufacturers are expected to offer to sweeten the deals. But even those in the appliance industry - while grateful for the help - are a bit skeptical that such a plan will have an impact similar to that of Cash for Clunkers.

Appliance industry experts are quick to correctly point out that buying a new refrigerator or dishwasher is not nearly as exciting as buying a new car or truck. And while a few hundred dollars is a great incentive to buy a new appliance if you need one, it's probably not enough for people to want to upgrade appliances that may be working fine at the moment. But the plan will almost certainly have some impact - and manufacturers and retailers are optimistic that some relief is on the horizon.

Since the housing market crashed in late 2006, appliance sales have been dropping at an alarming rate. Not helping matters, some of the latest and greatest in energy efficient appliances haven't gotten the best reviews in relation to the more traditional models. Front-load clothes washers, for example, sometimes struggle to match the performance of their old school counterparts.

By the time Cash for Refrigerators kicks off in a couple months, we'll probably have a bit better idea of where the economy stands heading into the winter months.