It has been reported that the US government has decided to back a scheme to offer a rebate when people buy a new “efficient” appliance.
Appliance manufacturers are counting on a “cash for clunkers” type rebate program to revive slumping sales of refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers. And we have recently had calls from the BRC in the UK for a similar scheme for appliance manufacturers here. Wonder where they got that idea from?
Beginning late this autumn, federal rebates will be available for buyers of high-efficiency household appliances, furnaces and air-conditioning systems. The US congress authorised $300 million for the program earlier this year as part of the federal economic-stimulus bill.
But, as we’ve already stated, this doesn’t address the issues of carbon production in actually making all these new appliances or the cost of getting rid of the old ones. From an environmental standpoint this is a bit crazy.
Not that manufacturers and retailers eager to move white boxes in return for your cash are going to complain.
But with appliance lifespans dropping due to low cost imports and the continual erosion of quality in order to meet low price points, is it even remotely sensible to dump perfectly good, working older appliances? We don’t think so and we’re not alone either. Much of the press has seen this as an insane idea that will only lead to more cheap and inferior appliances being imported to the UK. Probably many won’t see three years before needing replaced.
We will see if the BRC have their way but, if government has any sense, they’ll knock this idea on the head.