Duke Energy, Vectren offer customers $30 to recycle old refrigerators and freezers | Home & Garden

Meters are spinning and electricity is being wasted as old, energy-guzzling refrigerators operate in homes across Indiana.

Duke Energy is joining Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) and several other utilities across the state to offer customers $30 and free pick-up and removal of their old refrigerators and freezers. The utilities have partnered with JACO Environmental, a national appliance recycler, to pick up the old units and “demanufacture” them.

“Response to IPL’s Ditch the Fridge program has been strong as customers realize that the benefit of that additional cold storage is not worth the cost in either money or energy use,” said IPL Vice President of Community Relations, Greg Fennig.  “This is an easy, responsible solution for our customers interested in lowering their home’s electricity usage and managing their costs.”

Refrigerators and standalone freezers must be in working condition and measure between 10 and 30 cubic feet in size. Participants should receive $30 incentive checks within four to six weeks after appliance pickup.

“The refrigerator recycling program is one of a number of programs we’re offering to make saving energy and money easy for our customers,” said Duke Energy Indiana, President Doug Esamann. “It’s part of a statewide effort to make our state more energy efficient.”

Customers of participating Indiana electric companies, including Duke Energy, Hoosier Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Indianapolis Power & Light Company, Vectren Energy Delivery and Wabash Valley Power Association, are encouraged to sign-up for the program. To date, over 18,000 units have been recycled throughout the state of Indiana, resulting in approximately 18,100,000 kilowatt-hours. 

Typically kept in garages or basements, these extra refrigerators and freezers are often so old and waste so much energy that they require as much as three times more energy than newer, more energy-efficient units.

JACO’s new Indianapolis facility serves more than one purpose. In addition to converting old, inefficient appliances into recyclable materials, it safely extracts and neutralizes toxic substances. This includes mercury in thermostats, oils and foam insulation that can emit into the ozone-eating gases when exposed to air. Also, old units will be safely converted into recyclable materials that are repurposed into numerous types of new products, ranging from mobile phones to construction materials.

Indiana residents interested in participating in the program can call their local utility or visit their local utility website for more information. The program contact numbers for participating companies in southeastern Indiana are:

Duke Energy: 855.398.6200

Vectren Energy Delivery: 866.240.8476