(From the sacbee.com) A few hundred bucks for new, energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes washers and room air conditioners was not enough to send recession-pinched Californians rushing to appliance stores. So the state is going to sweeten the offer. When it meets next Wednesday, the California Energy Commission is expected to approve a major expansion of the state’s Cash for Appliances program, adding energy-efficient dishwashers, freezers, water heaters and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Simply put, the state is looking for more people to take advantage of nearly $20.3 million in rebate funds remaining in the $31.7 million program that began April 22.

“We’re extending the program because we still have (millions) in available funds for consumers. We’re adding additional products that we hope consumers will take advantage of,” said Amy Morgan, spokeswoman for the Energy Commission, which is overseeing the program.

The expanded effort is being billed as California Cash for Appliances PLUS.

Read more here: California appliance rebate program expected to expand