Starting on April 15 and continuing for three months, the Department of Energy is running an Energy Star appliance promotion. In an effort to persuade homeowners to use more efficient appliances, the DOE is working with manufacturers and utility companies to offer rebates to customers in certain locations who purchase Energy Star qualified clothes washers. To find out if the rebates are available in your area, go to www.energystar.gov and click on the "special offers" link. The rebates are being offered in conjunction with other initiatives, including one that encourages consumers to get rid of unused appliances, such as a second refrigerator that sits in a garage or basement. The promotions will also focus on educating consumers on the energy- and monetary- savings of using Energy Star appliances.