Delaware is expanding its existing appliance rebate program to include dishwashers, room air conditioners and water heaters with some help from federal dollars made available through the "Cash for Appliances" effort.

The existing Energize Delaware Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program already covers refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dehumidifiers.

The expansion now covers the following Energy Star appliances purchased between Dec. 1, 2009, and Aug. 31, 2010:

• Dishwashers - $30 - Eligible Models
• Room air conditioners - $25 - Eligible Models
• Gas storage water heaters - $50 - Eligible Models
• Gas tankless water heater - $200 - Eligible Models
• Gas condensing water heaters - $200 - Eligible Models

For more information on eligible models or for rebate forms, visit the Energize Delaware Web site. There is a limit of two rebate offers per type of appliance per address and applications must be postmarked no later than Sept. 30, 2010.

Delaware is using the $837,704 the state is receiving from the nearly $300 million available nationwide from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to expand its current efforts toward replacing old inefficient appliances.

The state is continuing to offer rebates on the following Energy Star appliances as well:

• Refrigerators (15.5 c/ft or larger) - $100 - Eligible Models
• Freezers (15.5 c/ft or larger) - $50 - Eligible Models
• Clothes washers (top load) - $50 - Eligible Models
• Clothes washers (front load) - $75 - Eligible Models
• Dehumidifiers - $25 - Eligible Models

These appliances must have been purchased between Sept. 1, 2009, and Feb. 28, 2010, and applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2010.

For more information on the program, visit the Energize Delaware Web site or call 877-624-4448.