Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does the program work?
Eligibility
Rebate
Pick Ups
Appliance Recycling
Partners
Other ways to save
How does the program work?
What is the Appliance Retirement Program?
A hassle-free way for Nova Scotians to retire their old and inefficient window air conditioners, spare fridges and freezers. By retiring these appliances, participants can save up to $180/year on their power bill.
We’ll arrange for free pickup from participant’s homes and pay a cash incentive AND AIR MILES(R) reward miles* for each appliance turned in. Plus, we’ll ensure it is properly decommissioned and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.
What areas are included in the program?
The program is available across Nova Scotia.
What is the cash and AIR MILES® reward miles incentive offered?
In addition to the electricity savings of up to $180/year, you will receive a cash incentive for each eligible appliance turned in:
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Plus, you’ll receive free pick-up from within your home and reassurance that your appliance is being decommissioned and recycled it in an environmentally friendly manner.
* You must be an Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation residential electric customer for verification. You will receive monetary incentives within 4 weeks of collection of your appliance(s). Other restrictions may apply.
**AIR MILES offers valid until Jan 31, 2013 to Nova Scotia resident AIR MILES Collectors only. Earn 25 reward miles when you book a pick-up appointment for a qualifying refrigerator or freezer by December 31, 2012. Limit of one booking offer per Collector account. Earn 100 reward miles upon pick-up of each qualifying refrigerator or freezer. Earn an additional 25 reward miles for each qualifying air conditioning unit picked up together with a qualifying refrigerator or freezer. All pick-ups must be completed by January 31st, 2013. Please allow 4-6 weeks for Bonus reward miles to be posted to your Collector Account. Offers subject to the terms and conditions of the efficiency Nova Scotia monetary incentives offer. For further details, please visit efficiencyns.ca/appliancesFAQ
®TM Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Efficiency Nova Scotia.
How do I register?
Call the Appliance Retirement Program customer service centre at 1-877-808-4549 or you can apply online
After I register, what can I expect?
FOR PICK UP
Arrange for someone 18 years or older to be home for the time of pick up. You will be contacted 24 hours prior to your pickup day with a more exact time.
PREP YOUR APPLIANCE
24 hours before your scheduled pickup time, ensure that the appliance is emptied, plugged in and working.
REMOVING YOUR APPLIANCE
A professional technician will come to your home, verify that your appliance is working and remove it from your home or garage to be responsibly recycled.
SIGN A WAIVER
The waiver will confirm that you are providing the appliance to the Appliance Retirement program, and that your property was not damaged.
RECEIVE YOUR INCENTIVE CHEQUE
Once the professional technician confirms your appliance’s eligibility onsite and you sign the waiver form, you will receive your cheque in the mail within two to three weeks.
Why does Efficiency Nova Scotia Corporation want to retire my appliance?
Appliances have become more efficient over the years, earning them ENERGY STAR® certification. Refrigerators that are 10 years or older are less efficient and use up to two times the amount of energy than the current ones.
Eligibility
How do I know if my appliance will qualify for the 2012 program?
Your appliance will qualify if it:
- Is owned by you;
- Is located in your home or garage in Nova Scotia;
- is plugged in and in working condition;
- is 10 years or older;
- is between 10 and 25 cubic feet (for fridges only) and
- can be easily removed from your home without causing damage
Is there a limit to the number of appliances that will be picked up?
There is no limit to the number of appliances we will pickup. However, please ensure they all qualify (see above)
I have a window air conditioner; can this be picked up as part of the program?
Yes, window air conditioners are accepted if a refrigerator or freezer is also being collected. This stipulation is in place to ensure we use resources wisely and schedule pickups of small appliances with larger ones. please register your appliance online or call toll free at 1-877-808-4549.
I don’t know how old my appliance is? How can I tell?
There should be a nameplate on your appliance that indicates the year of manufacture. If there is no nameplate it is likely that it is older than 10 years.
Why won't you accept appliances that do not work?
The goal of the program is to reduce the energy consumed by these inefficient appliances and get them permanently off the grid. If your fridge does not work, it’s not consuming electricity and therefore it does not qualify.
What options do I have if my appliance does not qualify for the program?
Disposal guidelines can vary throughout the province. Contact your local municipality to find out what is available in your area.
Why don't you accept appliances less than 10 years old?
Refrigerators or freezers under 10 years old take advantage of newer technology and consume much less energy than older models.
How can I dispose of my refrigerator that is less than 10 years old?
If your refrigerator is less than 10 years old and you want to dispose of it, we suggest you contact a community organization that can pass it on to a family in your area.
Or you can contact your local municipality to find out what disposal options are available in your area.
I'm not sure how many cubic feet my fridge is. How do I measure it?
If your fridge is approximately 5 ½’ high, then it is likely at least 10 cu. ft. The inside capacity of the fridge is measured in cubic feet. To determine how many cubic feet your fridge is, take a measuring tape and measure the following:
- the depth, width and height of the freezer compartment (Example: 2’ X 2.4’ X 1’ = 4.8 cu ft)
- the depth, width and height of the fridge compartment (Example: 2’ X 2.4’ X 3’ = 14.4 cu ft)
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add the cubic feet of both the freezer and fridge compartment and it totals = 19.2 cu. ft
* NOTE: REMEMBER TO MEASURE IN FEET
What about washers, dryers, dishwashers and stoves?
These types of appliances are not huge energy consumers, as they only consume their electricity when turned on. Generally, homeowners only have one of these units in their household, and they are primary, not “spare” units. They also do not contain the same number of hazardous substances, so can be recycled through municipalities with little need for them to go to a special recycling facility. There is also no ENERGY STAR®certification on dryers, so replacing the unit with a new one does not make a measurable difference on power consumption.
Rebate
How do I get my incentive cheque?
Call1-877-808-4549 or fill out the online booking form at efficiencyns.ca/appliances to schedule a pick up time. Once the professional technician confirms the appliance’s eligibility at the time of pickup, your payment will be processed and a cheque will be mailed to you within two to three weeks.
The cheque will be mailed to the person and address identified in the application. If you would like to make other arrangements, please call 1-877-808-4549.
Pick Ups
How long will it take to get my appliance picked up?
Our crews will be scheduled to be in your community every three weeks. From the day you make the call our goal is to have your appliance picked up within three weeks. If volumes are high wait times could be longer.
What days of the week and hours do the pick up crew operate?
Our crews are available for pick up from Tuesday through to Saturday.
Are you able to pick up more than one appliance?
Yes! We are able to pick up and provide you an incentive for all qualified appliances in your home at once. Please note that mini bar fridges and fridges larger than 25 cubic feet do not qualify for the program.
What happens if I miss my scheduled appointment?
If you miss your scheduled appointment you will get a notification of your missed appointment at your home. Due to the cost of pickup, if you miss your second appointment you will not be able to participate in this year’s program.
Appliance Recycling
What happens to the appliance once removed from my home?
All appliances are being decommissioned in an environmentally responsible way. The refrigerant gases found in the foam and compressors of freezers and fridges cause damage to the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. Some of these gases are referred to as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
Nova Scotia provincial regulations require removal of the gas in the compressor before a unit can be sent to the landfill.
Partners
Who else is involved in delivering this program?
Efficiency Nova Scotia is proud to partner with ARCA Canada for pickups and decomissioning of appliances.
Efficiency Nova Scotia is also partnering with the AIR MILES(R) Reward Program to offer Appliance Retirement participants AIR MILES reward miles.
Other ways to save
Are there other programs to save electricty that are available to homeonwers now?
Efficiency Nova Scotia offers programs for residential and commercial customers. Visit the home section of our website or call 1-877-999-6035 to find the one that suits you.