'Cash for Clunkers' air conditioning program announced

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - State officials want Florida homeowners to take advantage of a "cool" rebate...but you must have a permit and act quickly.

The reason for the rush is because, unlike the cash for clunkers appliance program which offered 70,000 rebates,  the cash for clunkers a/c program has just 10,000 offers available.

The $15 million dollars in rebates comes from federal stimulus money approved last year. Rebates are available on a first come first serve basis and only apply to new a/c units, geothermal heat pumps, or air source heat pumps purchased and installed between August 30th and December 31st.

Residents can get rebates of up to $1,500 dollars. A mandatory part of the rebate program is to get a qualified energy rater to perform a home duct leakage test which can cost up to $500 dollars.

"The leakage test on your air conditioning system must meet a standard of 15 percent leakage or less, " said Jose Ramirez, owner of East Coast Mechanical.

Ramirez says 15 percent is easier to meet if you live in a newer home.

Rebate program info: click here