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Refrigerator Exchange Program

The LADWP's Refrigerator Exchange Program provides new energy-saving, ENERGY STAR® rated refrigerators in exchange for qualified older model refrigerators, FREE of charge. The Refrigerator Exchange Program offers a 15 or an 18 cubic foot model.

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Program Update

Due to delays in procuring inventory for the LADWP Refrigerator Exchange Program we are not accepting new applications for participation at this time. If you have questions or require additional information please contact us at 888-388-6642. We appreciate your patience and please check back regularly for updates.

 

Savings

  • Money – Estimated savings of $60 annually on refrigerator operating costs
  • Energy – New Energy Star qualified refrigerators use half the electricity of non-Energy Star models
  • Environment – Using less electricity reduces the emission of greenhouse gases

 

Refrigerator Qualification Requirements

To qualify, the refrigerator must be:

  1. Located in the LADWP service territory
  2. Owned by the tenant, property owner or organization
  3. At least 10 years old
  4. A minimum of 14 cubic feet (cu. ft.)
  5. In working condition
  6. Used as the primary unit – not in storage (must be located in the kitchen for residential customers)
  7. Plugged into a properly grounded outlet. All refrigerator outlets must be properly grounded with a 3-prong plug in accordance with Article 250.114 (3)(a) of the National Electrical Code.
Customer Qualification Requirements
  • Participants must NOT have previously participated in the program; and
  • Participants must be an LADWP electric customer and belong to one of the following groups:

Multi-Residential or 
Non-Profit Customers
(Property Owner or Organization owns Refrigerator)

Income-Qualified Customers
(Homeowner or Tenant Owns Refrigerator)

  • A Multi-Residential or Mobile Home Community (please see affordable housing qualifications below)
  • An Educational Institution
  • A Civic Organization
  • A Community Organization
  • A Faith-Based Organization
  • Participant in the EZ-SAVE Program
  • Participant in the Senior Citizen/Disability Lifeline Rate
  • Participant in the Life-Support Equipment Discount Program
  • Participant in the Physician Certified Allowance Discount Program
Additional Multi-Residential Customer Qualifications
  • Property must be owned or rented in accordance with policies for Affordable Housing in use by the Los Angeles Housing Department, or
  • A minimum of 50% of the residents must be income-qualified
Additional Information for Qualified Multi-Residential and Non-Profit Organizations
  • LADWP will replace as many qualified primary-use refrigerators as the organization owns. The size of the refrigerator being replaced will determine the size of the replacement unit, the largest size refrigerator the program provides is 18 cubic feet.

LADWP’s contractor, the Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA), will perform the exchange.

Refrigerator Models Offered

Program Documents


For more information regarding the Low Income Discount Program or Senior Citizen / Disability Lifeline Rate, please visit our Assistance Programs page or contact LADWP Customer Service by phone at 1-800-DIAL-DWP or (800) 342-5397 or send us an e-mail.

 

How to apply

Due to delays in procuring inventory for the LADWP Refrigerator Exchange Program we are not accepting new applications for participation at this time. If you have questions or require additional information please contact us at 888-388-6642. We appreciate your patience and please check back regularly for updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

    To promote energy efficiency, the LADWP is offering qualified customers an opportunity to exchange their old, energy-guzzling refrigerators for a new energy efficient unit. The new unit will assist customers in significantly reducing the refrigerator-related energy costs. Customers will save approximately 15% on their energy bill or about $60 annually. Over the life of the refrigerator, each customer will save over $1,000 and more than 17,000 pounds of harmful carbon dioxide emissions would be eliminated.

    The Low Income Refrigerator Exchange Program began on April 30, 2007. The program was expanded in 2011 to include multi-family properties. In 2014, the program was further expanded to include non-profit customers. The Refrigerator Exchange Program will continue as long as funding is available.

    Eligible participants must meet the following requirements in either of the following categories.
     Income-qualified Customers must:

    • Be an LADWP electric customer
    • Be receiving either LADWP’s Low Income Discount Program Rate or Senior Citizen / Disability Lifeline Rate
    • Have a primary refrigerator that is at least 10 years old, a minimum of 14 cubic feet in size, and fully operational.
    • Allow the LADWP to take your primary refrigerator in exchange for the new energy efficient model. Your unit will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.

    Additional Information:

    • Qualified customers will receive either a 15.5 cubic foot unit or an 18.1 cubic foot unit depending on the size of their primary refrigerator. If your primary refrigerator is 14 or 15 cubic feet, you must agree to accept the new 15.5 cubic foot unit. If your primary refrigerator is over 15 cubic feet or larger, you must agree to accept the new 18.1 cubic foot unit.
    • The primary electrical outlet for the refrigerator must be properly grounded with a three-prong plug in accordance with the City of Los Angeles Building Code.

    Multi-family or Non-profit Customers must:

    • Be serviced by an LADWP electric meter
    • Be a qualified Multi-Residential or Mobile Home Community
    • Be a Civic Organization
    • Be a Community Organization
    • Be a Faith-Based Organization
    • Be an Educational Institution
    • Allow the LADWP to take the primary refrigerator(s) in exchange for the new energy efficient model(s). The unit(s) will be recycled in an environmentally responsible manner.
    • Have a primary refrigerator that is at least 10 years old, a minimum of 14 cubic feet in size, and fully operational.

    Additional information:

    • Qualified customers will receive either a 15.5 cubic foot unit or an 18.1 cubic foot unit depending on the size of the primary refrigerator. If the primary refrigerator is 14 or 15 cubic feet, the authorized agent acting on behalf of the property must agree to accept the new 15.5 cubic foot unit. If the primary refrigerator is over 15 cubic feet or larger, the authorized agent acting on behalf of the property must agree to accept the new 18.1 cubic foot unit.
    • The primary electrical outlet for the refrigerator must be properly grounded with a three-prong plug in accordance with the City of Los Angeles Building Code.

    LADWP offers residential offer the EZ-SAVE Program or Senior Citizen / Disability Lifeline Rate to customers within qualifying income levels. To establish eligibility you must complete and return an application, along with proof of income for each individual in the household. You will receive the discount after the LADWP verifies your application and proof of income information. Click below to download the current income requirements, application, and instructions:

    Discount Rates. If have questions on the EZ-SAVE Program or Senior Citizen / Disability Lifeline Rate, please contact LADWP Customer Service by phone at 1-800-DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397) or by e-mail at [email protected]

    After you are accepted into the Low Income Discount Program, your name will be placed on a list of newly added discount rate customers. You will be contacted by an Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA) staff member and scheduled for an inspection for program qualification. This may take several months.

    Contact the LADWP Refrigerator Hotline at 1-888-388-6642 for more information or email your questions or interest to the program’s inbox [email protected].

    Qualifying customers will have a site inspection performed at their address to verify the primary refrigerator meets the program requirements and that the electrical outlet is properly grounded. If the site inspections fails due to the electrical outlet not being properly grounded, the customer will be given time to make the necessary corrections. 
    After a successful site inspection, a scheduled date will be coordinated for the delivery of the new energy efficient refrigerator and the removal of the old inefficient unit.

    Because of customer demand, there is currently a waiting list. Customers are added to the list in the order the requests are received. At this time, the wait may be up to two (2) months. You will be contacted by a member of the ARCA staff when it is time for your inspection.

    The new refrigerators will have the following features and characteristics:

    • The refrigerators are two-door freezer-on-top models and are only available in white.
    • Only 15.5 cubic foot and 18.1 cubic foot units will be offered.
    • The refrigerator doors can be adjusted for left-handed or right-handed entry.
    • The refrigerators do not come with automatic ice makers or water dispensers.

    Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (ARCA) is an innovative company dedicated to preserving the environment through energy efficiency and proper appliance disposal. Since 1976, ARCA has recycled more than 3.5 million major household appliances for clients across North America. ARCA has developed equipment, processes, and systems to lessen the negative impact of appliance disposal on the environment.

    Recycling saves energy. The materials in a recycled appliance can be remanufactured into other products so fewer raw materials have to be used. 

    Recycling saves money.  Removing or replacing a refrigerator with a more efficient model can save hundreds of dollars each year in energy costs. 

    Components in older appliances like Freon or hazardous materials like mercury have a harmful effect on the environment and people’s health. Recycling removes them from the ecosystem. 

    Some old appliances can be extremely dangerous. Children have become trapped in abandoned refrigerators. 

    Illegal dumping is an eyesore. Appliances thrown away on street or vacant lots are unattractive to look at and potentially lethal.

    There are several residential rebates offered as an incentive toward becoming more energy efficient. For example, the purchase of an approved Energy Star® rated refrigerator and the recycling of the existing old refrigerator would total a $115.00 rebate. 

    For more information, go to Rebates & Programs

    LADWP also has the Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP) which assists qualified residential customers in making their homes more energy efficient at no cost to the customer. 
     

    For more information, go to Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP).

    This program is subject to change or termination without notice.

    DISCLAIMER

    By applying for an LADWP rebate and/or program, personal information provided may be subject to public disclosure by requesting parties, pursuant to the California Public Records Act.

    LADWP is a partner in EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program.