HVAC 'Cash for Clunkers' controversy

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Boca Raton resident Gail Steinberg is raising concerns about the HVAC Cash for Clunkers program to replace old energy-inefficient heating and cooling systems that was introduced by the state last week.

After the announcement Steinberg saw it as away to make a return on an expensive investment.

"We decided to go ahead and replace the unit when we found out on Sunday evening that there was going to be a Florida rebate program," Steinberg said.

Little did she know so many things were necessary to qualify.

"I think there's a lot that fell through the cracks," she said. "It has to be a certain SEER and it has to be a certain ton, you have to pay a certain amount of money."

You also must find a certified rater tester. In Palm Beach County it is pretty tough.

"The duct inspector guys are backed up, there are only so many guy that are doing it," said Anthony Kelato.

Kelato has been in the air conditioning business for years and says once the program hit newspapers, radio and TV news..."It's non-stop calls...phone’s not stopped ringing."

And that is where Steinberg says the problem lies. With only few people able to do the rater testing, and only 10,000 rebates available in the entire state, some people may cash in on a new unit but fall out of the running for the rebate.

"If 8,000 people have already gotten their rebate the chances of them getting a rebate would be slim to none," said Steinberg.

Kelato say before people can see any cash they have to pass all the qualifications and if their air ducts don't match up they could end up spending more money and time and be left with nothing.

Speaking of rater testers Kelato says, "His cost is like 3 to 500 dollars to come out and test and if there's severe leaks...you're going to have to get someone else to come out do the repairs and have him come out again."

Steinberg says if you don't have your packets in the mail by now you may want to hold off.

According to rebates.com 100,000 dollars of the 15 million dollar rebates have already gone out.

The program will end at the end of the year or at until the money runs out.

This warning is posted in the state's website :

This Rebate Program Might Not Be For You: Approximately 12 percent of the homes in Florida have duct systems that cannot be accessed for repair. If your home has extensive duct damage or your home duct systems cannot be easily repaired, this program may not be for you. If your duct system is difficult to access, it is possible that your home will never achieve a score of 15 percent leakage or less and thus will never qualify for this rebate. It is strongly recommended that the homeowner discuss any concerns with a Florida licensed HVAC installer before pursuing this rebate.