As of 4:45 p.m., about 40 percent of the state's available funds for Energy Star appliance rebates had been claimed by North Carolina residents.

The offer began this morning and will last until the money runs out. Rebates range from $75 to $300, depending on appliance or equipment.

Qualifying purchases must be made today or this month and reserved online or by calling 1-877-379-7323. Purchases made before today will not count.

If you missed the first round of Energy Star appliance rebates and want to take advantage of the second phase that began today, you better hurry. The funds are going fast. Read more about it on .biz.

Good news if you missed out on the appliance rebate program: State officials announced today a second phase of the program will begin on June 1. Read more about it here.

The buying frenzy is slowing in the second day of the state's Energy Star appliance rebate program.

The program offers $8.8 million in federal funds to shoppers who replace an old dishwasher, washer, freezer or refrigerator with a new energy-efficient model. Customers who buy a qualifying appliance get a 15 percent instant rebate at the register, and the retailer is then reimbursed from the pool of federal money.

As of 11:45 a.m. today, 45 percent of the available money had been claimed. Roughly $4.4 million remained available for the rest of the event. The rebate program is scheduled to run through Sunday, though it could end earlier if the money runs out. According to the state Energy Office, the money for the program is being spent at a rate of about $2,000 per minute.

If you're hoping to cash in on the Energy Star rebate, you better hurry. As of this morning, $4.6 million of the allotted $8.8 million remains for the North Carolina Energy Star Appliance Rebate and Replacement Program. The N.C. State Energy office anticipates that if the current rate of spending $2,000 a minute continues, the funds will be exhausted sooner than anticipated.

In the first half-day of the state's Energy Star appliance rebate program, shoppers snapped up about 20 percent of the available $8.8 million.

The program, which has been equated to last year's Cash for Clunkers program for cars, is aimed at getting consumers to upgrade to more energy efficient appliances. Shoppers in North Carolina are eligible for a 15 percent instant discount on the purchase of qualifying Energy Star washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers through Sunday, or until the funding runs out.

As of 11:30 a.m. today, there was $6.3 million remaining, according to the N.C. Energy Office. The first record sale was processed at 12:04 a.m. by Caldwell TV & Appliance in Hickory on the purchase of a clothes washing machine.

Sue Stock reports that local appliance stores are ready today for shoppers looking to cash in on the federal government's 15% instant rebate program on Energy Star appliance upgrades.

Some triangle stores opened as early as 5 a.m. today!

You can get more information from Sue's big story, which ran in the paper on Wednesday. 

Are you thinking of replacing that old refrigerator or dishwasher? This weekend is the time to do it. The North Carolina appliance rebate program runs tomorrow through Sunday, which offers a 15 percent instant rebate on Energy Star appliances. Find out more information about the program here.

Triangle appliance retailers are opening super early tomorrow to get the most out of the first day of the state's Energy Star appliance tax rebate weekend.

Shoppers will be able to qualify for an instant 15 percent rebate when they buy a qualifying Energy Star washing machine, dish washer, refrigerator or freezer. In all, the state has $8.8 million of federally allocated funds for the program.

Home Depot stores will be opening an hour earilier than normal at 5 a.m. Sears and HHGregg won't be far behind, opening their doors to area shoppers at 6 a.m.

The four-day event begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday, or until the money runs out. Many retailers are also offering additional discounts on top of the rebate. Read our story from today's paper to learn more.

Appliance retailers can register starting today for the state's upcoming Energy Star Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program.

The special program, which will run April 22 through April 25, will give consumers a 15 percent rebate when they buy certain Energy Star certified appliances, including washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers. Retailers participating in the program will offer the consumers an instant rebate and then be reimbursed by the state.

The deadline for application by retailers is April 13. Here's the application link.