FREE YOUR FRIDGE

Is that old refrigerator in your kitchen, garage or basement sucking up gobs of electricity? If so, now is a good time to get rid of that inefficient appliance, save some money on your power bill, help the environment and get an extra little bonus for doing so. City Water, Light & Power is now accepting refrigerators manufactured prior to 1997 for its Refrigerator Roundup program, which offers a $50 reward to customers who trade in old, working refrigerators. Previously, the program only accepted appliances manufactured before 1993. About 2,600 such appliances have been recycled through the program so far, keeping recyclable materials from ending up in a landfill. CWLP says old appliances can use two to four times as much power as new appliances, and can cost customers anywhere from $30 to $175 annually. The utility partners with Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA), which offers free pickup of old, working refrigerators and air-conditioners. For more information or to participate in the program, call ARCA at 1-866-899-9862 or visit www.refrigeratorroundup.com. For questions on other CWLP energy efficiency programs call the CWLP Energy Experts at 789-2070 or visit www.cwlp.com.