Do you have more than one refrigerator? If you've put your old fridge out in the garage to store your favorite beverages and other items, it’s likely that old relic may be running up your electric bill.

Old refrigerators and freezers use four times the energy that newer models do. Not only is that vintage model not energy efficient, extreme temperatures common in South Texas cause refrigerators and freezers to work harder and use more energy when they're relocated to an unconditioned space like a garage. In short, that spare fridge can cost you a lot more spare change than you bargained for.

Parting ways with old appliances just got a whole lot easier. CPS Energy is offering $65 to recycle old refrigerators or freezers when you decide to pull the plug on the old energy guzzlers. Even better, if you replace the old unit with an ENERGY STAR® model, we’ll give you another $35. That's a hundred bucks for getting rid of an old fridge and replacing it with a shiny, new energy-saving model!

OPTION 1 - Recycle Your Old Unit. Get a $65 Rebate

• We’ll pick up, haul away and recycle the old model for free -- no heavy lifting required.  Call ARCA* at 866-472-9376 or go to www.ARCAIncUtility.com to schedule a pickup online. Have your CPS Energy account number ready.
• The unit must be cleaned out and in working order at the time of the pickup.
• Pickups may take two or more weeks. Store your old refrigerator in a convenient area for pickup.
• When your collection has been processed, we’ll credit $65 to your CPS Energy account.
• The refrigerator or freezer must be picked up by ARCA or a participating retailer.

OPTION 2 - Recycle Your Old Unit and Purchase a New ENERGY STAR® Model. Get a $100 Rebate

• Recycle your old unit (a $65 rebate value), purchase an ENERGY STAR® model (get an additional $35 credit) for a total rebate credit of $100. No credit will be given unless the old refrigerator or freezer is recycled by ARCA. 
• Call ARCA* at 866-472-9376 to obtain the current list of participating retailers** or to schedule a pickup. 
• If your appliance store is not participating, leave your old unit in your home when they deliver your new refrigerator or freezer. We’ll pick up the old unit, haul it away, recycle it and credit your account for $100. Only call ARCA Inc. and make an appointment to pick up the old unit.
• Call ARCA or schedule a pickup online. Have your CPS Energy account number ready. ARCA will provide you with a Proof of Recycling Certificate at the time of collection.
• Our vendor will provide you an application for rebate. Send it with your Proof of Recycling Certificate and a copy of your receipt. Remember to include your CPS Energy account number on the form. When your collection and transaction have been processed, CPS Energy will credit $100 to your account.

Rebates are granted for the purchase of a new, qualified model when you surrender and recycle an old unit. To qualify, purchases of new ENERGY STAR® refrigerators and freezers must be made between Jan. 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. Prior purchases do not qualify.

Limit two units per residential address! Other restrictions may apply. Incentives will be processed within four to six weeks. Call 353-2SAV for questions regarding the status of your rebate.

Requirements to Participate in the CPS Energy Refrigerator Recycling Program:

• You must be a CPS Energy residential customer. Have your CPS Energy account number handy when scheduling a pickup or completing the rebate form.
• You must own the refrigerator or freezer being recycled.
• Your old unit must be in working condition.
• Your appliance must be between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size (includes most refrigerators except for compact or dorm-sized units).
• The old refrigerator or freezer must have been manufactured before January 2002.  Look for manufacturing information that is usually located on inside the unit or on the back side.
• The old refrigerator or freezer must be picked up by ARCA or a participating retailer. 

*ARCA Inc., or Appliance Recycling Centers of America, has contracted with CPS Energy to collect and recycle old refrigerators and freezers.