Iowa appliance rebate line, Web site clear after early problems

UPDATE: Demand for appliance rebates overwhelmed phone lines and a web site for the state's Cash for Refrigerators program as it begin Monday morning, but the toll-free number for the rebate program was back in operation at mid-morning, according to an apologetic statement released by the Iowa Office of Energy Independence at 10:44 a.m.

The contractor handling the registration for the state was working to resolve the web site issues, it said.

The contractor handling the registration told the Iowa Office of Energy Independence that it can handle 850 phone calls and 11,000 Web hits per hour. But that did not appear to be enough earlier today, as rebate seekers hit “redial” on their phones and “refresh” on their computers at a rapid pace.

Larry Basile of Cedar Rapids began trying to get through at 8 a.m. to help his daughter, a school teacher who was working, get a rebate coupon for a new washer. At 10 a.m., he was still hitting redial.

“Even the Internet, you can't get through on that,” Basile said.

Similar experience were reported to Gazetteonline by numerous other callers.

Basile also tried to call the Office of Energy Independence directly, but couldn't get an answer earlier Monday.

The program offers rebates of $100 to $500 for Iowans who buy a new Energy Star or CEE qualified refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer, air conditioner, water heater or furnace from an Iowa dealer.

Information on the program is available at www.IowaApplianceRebate.com or call 1-877-267-7495. Iowans were advised to keep trying the web site and phone number later in the day.

Here's the full statement from the state's Office of Energy Independence on today's problems:

"Due to the overwhelming and proactive response by Iowans to the Iowa Energy Efficiency Appliance Rebate program the program-specific contractor web site and toll free number systems, for consumers to register for rebates, were temporarily down. We are working with our professional contractor to resolve these issues as quickly as possible. The toll free number is now back up and operational. We expect the web site to also be operating again very soon."The program is fair and equitable for the benefit of all Iowans by allowing access, to the rebate process, from both computer or phone registration service. We are sorry consumers are experiencing difficulties at this time and we apologize for this extreme inconvenience.

"The program is fair and equitable for the benefit of all Iowans by allowing access, to the rebate process, from both computer or phone registration service. We are sorry consumers are experiencing difficulties at this time and we apologize for this extreme inconvenience.

"Our contractor works with several states and Fortune 500 companies and will restore services as soon as humanly possible. We are advising all Iowa homeowners to keep trying the web site and toll phone number later today. Thank you for your patience with this matter."