Sangre de Cristo Water offers a $480 rebate to customers who buy a new tier 3 clothes washer with a 4.5 or less water factor, replacing an existing top-loading, high water use machine picked up by the dealer for recycling, between January 1, 2010, and July 18, 2010.

Sangre de Cristo previously offered a $100 Washing Machine Rebate that was available only to residential customers who bought a new machine with a water factor of 7.5 or less (Tier 1, 2, or 3). As of January 1, 2010, this offer is no longer available.

Between January 1, 2010, and July 18, 2010, the $480 rebate is available to all water customers who purchase a new clothes washer with a water factor of 4.5 or less (Tier 3) and replace an existing high water use machine.

By installing a clothes washer with the highest level of water efficiency, you maximize savings. This means greater savings on your water bill as well as reducing the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated.

Tier 3 machines with a water factor of 4.5 or less use 25 percent less water than a tier 2 model (6.0 water factor) and 40 percent less water than a tier 1 model (7.5 water factor).

There are approximately 16 brands with over 150 models to choose from.

At present, tier 3 clothes washers are generally more expensive than tier 1, tier 2, and top-loading machines. However, the $480 rebate should cover the difference of the increased cost in most cases.

To qualify for the Clothes Washer Rebate You must:

• purchase and install a new tier 3 high-efficiency clothes washer with a 4.5 or less water factor between January 1, 2010, and July 18, 2010.
• be a water customer of Sangre de Cristo with an account in your name at the property where the machine is installed and at time of purchase
• not have received a previous clothes washer rebate from Sangre de Cristo Water.
• replace an existing top-loading, high water use clothes washer and allow dealer to pick up old machine for recycling to qualify for the $480 rebate or replace an existing front-loading high-efficiency machine and be picked up by the dealer for recycling to qualify for the $180 rebate.
• Note that applicant is not eligible for clothes washer rebate if he/she purchases clothes washer for a new home or new construction and development, which includes apartment dwellings.

No, the rebates are for the conversion of old top-loading, high water use appliances and fixtures to more efficient ones and does not apply to purchases for new construction and development.

To claim your rebate you must:

• read and accept the terms and conditions
• complete the clothes washer rebate application form
• attach the original receipt for the clothes washer (please note, photocopies are not accepted)
• send your completed application form and original receipt no later than 90 days arter purchase date to:

Sangre de Cristo Water Division
Clothes Washer Rebate
PO Box 909
Santa Fe, NM 87504-0909

No, there is a limit of one rebate per residential property, excluding a change in tenancy or ownership of the property, and commercial customers may receive a rebate for all machines in a laundry room, but only once.

Subject to verification, you should receive your rebate payment within 90 days of Sangre de Cristo receiving your application. Rebate payments will be in the form of a credit on your utility bill.

Application forms are available in local retail outlets, Sangre de Cristo Water Division, or you can download the application form here.

Only tier 3 models on the current CEE clothes washer qualifying product list are eligible. To confirm which clothes washers qualify for the rebate, ask in-store, or download a list here.

Labeling products and appliances with efficiency ratings make it easier for you to determine the level of efficiency in the products you buy. All washing machines have a water efficiency rating. Sangre de Cristo offers a rebate to customers who purchase a clothes washer with a 4.5 or less water factor. For more information on the Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards, visit www.cee1.org.

Tier 3 clothes washers use less than 15 gallons per load compared to typical top-loading models that use 40 or more gallons per full load, and use 25 percent less water than a tier 2 model and 40 percent less than a tier 1 model. In addition, tier 3 water efficient clothes washers:

• save energy
• save wear and tear on clothing; are gentle on your clothes so they last longer
• save drying time; have higher spin speeds so clothes will be drier resulting in less energy required to finish the drying process
• save soap; have a better washing action (they clean clothes with less detergent)
• save water