WATERLOO - Cash for clunkers may have ended, but people can still turn energy suckers into cash.

MidAmerican Energy Co. and Alliant Energy offer cash for old, working refrigerators, freezers and air-conditioners.

MidAmerican launched their program last month, offering $50 for refrigerators and freezers and $25 for window air conditioners.

Alliant Energy has had a similar program in effect since 1998. While it may not seem to make sense for companies to help reduce demand for the product they sell, reducing energy use helps business in the long-run, company officials said.

"It actually saves in the long run to help customers to reduce their energy usage rather than spend millions building new power plants," said Ryan Stensland, Alliant spokesman.

Mark Reinders, spokesman for MidAmerican Energy said helping customers conserve energy helps the company control costs.

Through the programs, customers can also request rebates for buying efficient appliances.

"They can save on the front end and back end," Stensland said.

Customers can recycle up to two refrigerators, two freezers and two window air-conditioning units.

MidAmerican has seen early interest in the program. On Aug. 28, Cedar Rapids-based Conservation Services Group came to the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area to pick up 12 refrigerators, eight freezers and five air conditioners.

Both energy companies contract with the Cedar Rapids recycler to pick up the used appliances.

Alliant has seen steady and growing interest in its program. When it started in 1998, the company had more than 1,000 participants in the program. Last year, more than 6,200 people got cash for their old appliances. In all, more than 52,000 have participated since 1998.

The program is sustained by a fee attached to customers' bills, Stensland said.

Getting money for getting rid of appliances also helps customers bypass the hassle of disposing the devices that often contain hazardous materials.

"You can't just put those out in a landfill," said Keith Kearns, Waterloo assistant superintendent of waste management.

Sending the appliance straight to the trash also costs money. The city charges $12.50 to dispose of freezers, fridges and air conditioners.

Air conditioners and refrigerators contain coolants that need to be properly disposed. The energy companies contract with vendors and recycling companies licensed by the state of Iowa to dispose of appliances.

Most of the participants recycle old refrigerators and freezers. Many take advantage of the program and possible rebates when moving into a new home, Stensland said.

It's unclear how these programs will be affected by a similar plan under development by the Department of Energy as part of the federal economic stimulus package.

Details of the program still are being worked out, but rebates from $50 to $200 could be doled out for old appliances. Each state will set the amount of the rebates and decide what appliances are eligible.

The Department of Energy expects the funds to be used in addition to rather than as replacement for any existing state or local rebates.

Alliant customers can call 1-866-255-4268 to apply for the appliance recycling program. MidAmerican customers can call (800) 621-2757 to schedule pick ups.