Want to get rid of that kitchen clunker?

A new rebate program could soon be sending you up to $200 for buying a new, high-efficiency appliance.
If you're one of the increasing number of homeowners embarking on a kitchen remodel, you might want to wait a couple of months to buy that new refrigerator or dishwasher.

Riding on the coattails of the popular Cash for Clunkers program is a similar $300 million program that hopes to encourage homeowners to upgrade to high-efficiency household appliances. Buy an appliance with the Energy Star seal, and you could get $50 to $200 back from the government. And this time, your old appliance is yours to keep (or recycle!).

Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there’s enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month," said Steven Chu, secretary of the Department of Energy. "These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs."

I realize it isn't quite as alluring as $4,500 for a new car, especially with department stores and other appliance retailers slashing prices left and right. But, apparently, that's part of the problem. Many of those retailers can't actually afford to slash prices; they just have no other choice.

Each state must outline its specific plan for the rebate program by Oct. 15, which means it will likely differ from state to state. The Energy Dept expects most of the funding to be doled out by Nov. 30 -- just in time to keep you busy with projects all winter long!