Calling all avocado and gold-colored appliances from the Carter era.

The federal government wants to send kitchen clunkers like you to the recycle heap and replace with new, energy-efficient models.

From now until the money runs out, Washington state is handing out $5.6 million in rebates for people who buy eligible refrigerators and clothes washers with Energy Star certification and send their old ones to be recycled.

Rebates are $75 for buying eligible refrigerators and up to $100 for eligible clothes washers. A list of qualifying appliances is available at www.cashfor applianceswa.com.

Paired with rebates from Snohomish County PUD, local consumers could save as much as $125 on a new refrigerator and $200 on a new washer. The PUD also offers another $30 to customers who want to recycle old refrigerators.

“This sweetens the pot for consumers considerably,” PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said.

Most retailers provide a free or low-cost haul away service when an appliance is purchased. To get the rebate, homeowners have to show they recycled their old appliance.

Rebates are limited to one refrigerator and one washing machine per household.

Homeowners are out of luck if they bought a new appliance before March 15. Since the program is meant to encourage people to replace old appliances, the rebate isn’t for new homes, nor for commercial businesses or landlords.

The Cash for Appliances money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, part of $300 million in tax money the government has set aside to push consumers into buying energy-efficient appliances.

A similar federal scrappage program for automobiles last summer, nicknamed Cash for Clunkers, was so popular that people burned through $3 billion in rebate money in about a month and Congress approved an extra $2 billion.

Local retailers hope consumers will be just as enthusiastic about appliances.

At Conklin Appliance in Lynnwood, there’s been no rush on energy-efficient appliances — yet, said manager Sue Chisan. However, that may be because the state released minimal information to retailers until just last week, she said.

At Everett appliance giant Judd &Black, extra refrigerators and clothes washers have been ordered in anticipation of the cash for appliances program, said general manager Rick Kvangnes. At least one manufacturer has offered an additional 10 percent off on its qualifying models, he said.

“We’re anticipating a large response from the public,” he said.

Debra Smith: 425-339-3197, dsmith@heraldnet.com.