Dominion Virginia Power is resuming its Residential Appliance Recycling Program after a brief hiatus. Customers can once again enroll in this program and have their old, operational refrigerators and freezers picked up and recycled at no cost to them.

In addition to receiving a $50 incentive from Dominion, consumers have the opportunity to save energy by removing inefficient appliances from service.

“This energy conservation program has proven to be popular with our customers, with thousands of them participating since it began last summer,” said Brett Crable, director-New Technology and Energy Conservation. “It not only helps save energy costs, but lessens the environmental impact of appliance disposal.”

Refrigerator efficiency has improved dramatically during the past 20 years. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages consumers to shift to EnergyStar appliances, which are about 15 percent more energy efficient than appliances built according to 2009 standards.

EnergyStar estimates that of approximately 170 million refrigerators in use in the United States, more than 60 million are more than 10 years old. When operated in a hot garage or exposed to the elements, these older refrigerators consume even more energy.

To qualify for the program, refrigerators and freezers must range from 10 to 32 cubic feet in capacity, be at least 10 years of age and be operational and empty at the time of pickup.

To participate, schedule an appointment with Dominion’s contractor, Appliance Recycling Centers of America by calling 1-888-366-8280. Following the pickup, a $50 check will be mailed to the customer.

Customers are eligible to recycle two qualifying appliances per account over the life of the program.

After appliance pickup, Dominion’s contractor will disable the unit, recycle the applicable components, and properly dispose of the refrigerant chemicals.