Long Island Homeowners Are Cashing In: How Energy Star Trade-In Programs Are Putting Money Back in Your Pocket While You Upgrade
If you’ve been putting off replacing that old, energy-guzzling refrigerator or washing machine, 2025 might be the perfect time to act. Long Island utilities are offering substantial cash incentives through Energy Star appliance trade-in programs, with PSEG Long Island providing instant rebates, discounts, and post-purchase rebates on ENERGY STAR certified appliances. These programs aren’t just about environmental responsibility—they’re designed to put real money back in your pocket while you upgrade to more efficient appliances.
What Long Island Utilities Are Offering in 2025
PSEG Long Island offers instant rebates, discounts, and post-purchase rebates on ENERGY STAR certified appliances and home energy upgrade rebates for purchasing ENERGY STAR certified appliances. Heat pump water heater rebates are available ranging from $800 to $1,100 if you’re eligible, with these rebates applied at the point of purchase.
Beyond PSEG Long Island, National Grid offers residential energy rebates for New York homeowners who purchase and install energy efficient home improvements and appliances, with the National Grid Total Home Comfort Program available for National Grid gas customers in Long Island and New York City.
The state-level Appliance Upgrade Program helps New Yorkers save money on the purchase of ENERGY STAR certified heat pump clothes dryers from participating retailers, with heat pump dryers offering superior efficiency in a self-contained system that doesn’t require ventilation.
Beyond Purchase Rebates: Cash for Your Old Appliances
What many homeowners don’t realize is that some utilities go beyond just offering rebates on new purchases—they’ll actually pay you to get rid of your old, inefficient appliances. PSE&G offers free pickup, proper disposal, and up to $150 in rebates for qualifying equipment when you recycle your old, working refrigerator or freezer.
These appliance recycling programs serve a dual purpose: they help utilities reduce overall energy demand while providing homeowners with immediate cash incentives. Some programs offer $50 rebates for each unit you recycle with a limit of two appliances per type, though appliances must be manufactured in 2019 or earlier.
The Application Process Made Simple
PSEG Long Island encourages all customers to submit their rebate applications within 45 days, with full terms and conditions and a list of all eligible products available at psegliny.com/rebates. Setting up a MyEnergy profile and applying online is the fastest way to apply for your rebates, allowing you to save your in-progress application, submit your application and supporting documents for review, and check on your application status.
Customers can select either a check for rebate payment or on-bill credit, with rebates applied to an upcoming electric bill when selecting on-bill credit.
The Challenge of Old Appliance Removal
While these rebate programs make upgrading more affordable, one challenge many Long Island homeowners face is what to do with their old appliances. Large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers can’t simply be put out with regular trash pickup, and many people struggle with the logistics of proper disposal.
This is where professional appliance removal services become invaluable. Dunbar Moving is a full-service, fully licensed and insured moving company located in Stony Brook, New York, with experienced team members who are seasoned professionals with a thirty-year track record of local moving.
With over 30 years of experience, they offer local moving services, including packing and junk removal, catering to both residential and commercial clients, aiming to alleviate the stress of moving by providing professional, reliable, and fair-priced services. Their comprehensive junk removal services include furniture, appliances, electronics, construction debris, yard waste, old boats, hot tub removal, shed demolition and removal, exercise equipment, and general household clutter.
Environmental and Community Benefits
These programs aren’t just about individual savings—they’re part of a broader strategy to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact across Long Island. Items in good condition get donated to local Long Island charities and organizations, with an eco-friendly approach that diverts up to 70% of removed items from landfills through donation and recycling, with usable furniture going to local charities and electronics to certified e-waste facilities.
When utilities and customers work together to take steps to reduce energy use, it helps keep the energy grid strong and stable, which is important for communities. This collaborative approach benefits everyone—homeowners save money on utility bills, utilities reduce peak demand, and the environment benefits from reduced energy consumption.
Making the Most of 2025 Opportunities
With some programs concluding by 10/31/2025, now is the time to take advantage of these incentives. The combination of purchase rebates, trade-in values, and professional removal services can make appliance upgrades surprisingly affordable.
Companies like Dunbar Moving have been helping Suffolk County residents reclaim their space for over 30 years, based right in Stony Brook, knowing the area, disposal regulations, and what it takes to get the job done right, rather than dealing with some national chain that doesn’t understand Long Island.
For Long Island homeowners, 2025 represents a unique opportunity to upgrade aging appliances while maximizing financial benefits through utility rebates and professional disposal services. By combining Energy Star rebate programs with reliable appliance removal services, you can modernize your home efficiently while contributing to broader environmental and community goals.
The key is acting sooner rather than later—these programs have limited funding and specific deadlines that you won’t want to miss.