If you need new appliances, such as a washer and dryer, and your wallet says otherwise, there’s no need to worry. That’s what this article is all about; giving you details of where and how you can get free appliances for those who qualify – or cheap appliances for those who don't.
How To Get Free Appliances From A Government Assistance Program
Does the government give free appliances? Yup! If you need a new appliance but are dead broke, all hope is not lost. There are many government assistance programs for low-income and disabled households. These programs will help you transition to more efficient appliances at no extra cost.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program LIHEAP is one such program that has helped thousands of deserving households all over America get new appliances.
What Is (LIHEAP) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP is a program run by the Department of Health And Human Services that was created to assist low-income and disabled households. The program is especially for families with a significant portion of income going to heating and cooling costs. The program will swap your old, less-efficient appliances for new ones that are more energy-efficient at no cost to you.
In the financial year 2019, the program was awarded a block grant of $3.69 billion. Each state receives limited funds each year. How much funding is available in your state will determine the number of qualifying households that will get assistance.
When the funds run out for the year, you will have to wait until the next financial year to try your luck. To learn about your state’s key LIHEAP characteristics and details of your state’s non-federal low-income programs, check out this snapshots page.
Who Qualifies For Free Appliances
The government gives free appliances, but with everything, there are rules. The federal government sets minimum and maximum requirements, but still requires states to set eligibility requirements for recipients.
To be eligible for benefits your household needs to have an income that doesn’t surpass 60 percent of the state median income or 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline. The SMI and FPG are adjusted each year by the federal government and published in the Federal Register.
You may need the following documents to apply:
- A recent pay stub or other proof of income
- Recent copies of your utility bills
- Documentation showing Unemployment, Social Security, Pension Funds, etc.
Competition is fierce. Qualifying for the program doesn’t guarantee you will receive free appliances. Households with the greatest home energy need in relation to household income and family size usually receive higher benefits.
The same applies to households with members who are disabled, elderly, or have a young child.
Benefits Of The Program
Besides giving free appliances, LIHEAP also helps with weatherproofing, energy crisis assistance, bill payment assistance, and energy-related home repairs.
How to Get Free Or Low-Cost Appliances Online
You can use online resources to get free appliances such as a washer and dryer, or refrigerator. People and businesses who are moving, downsizing or replacing appliances usually list their appliances online.
If they’re in a hurry, they may even list the appliances for free. Freecycle and Facebook Marketplace are 2 of the best online resources for finding a variety of appliances for your home.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is a place where you can buy and sell appliances in your community. The Marketplace connects people looking to sell/recycle old items, with people who’re looking for cheap/free stuff.
Many people want to get rid of bulky old appliances and sell them at throwaway prices.
The marketplace is included in the regular Facebook app, you don’t have to create another account or download a separate app. To access the marketplace, log in to your Facebook account, and on the left side of your home screen, navigate to the ‘Explore’ menu. Click on ‘Marketplace.’
Enter whatever appliance you’re looking for on the search bar and scroll through to browse the results.
While it does primarily focus on the buying and selling of goods, you’ll be surprised by all the items you can find for free! You just need to convince the one who posted that you need a free refrigerator or perhaps a free washer and dryer.
Freecycle
The Freecycle Network is a grassroots nonprofit movement of individuals donating (and receiving) all kinds of stuff for free in their local towns and neighborhoods. The primary purpose is to divert reusable goods from landfills. With Freecycle, one man's trash is indeed another man's treasure.
The network has 5k+ local groups with 9 million+ members spread across 110 countries around the world. Membership is free, and everything posted must also be free. While some groups accept new members automatically, others may take a few days to approve your membership.
To sign up, enter your community (city and state) in the search box and click Go or click on ‘Browse Groups’ beside the ‘Home’ button. Click on your preferred town’s Freecycle group. You can join up to 5 groups.
To ask for what you need, you can post a ‘Wanted’ listing. To see everything offered for free, click on the ‘All Items’ tab at the top of the page. You are responsible for pickup.
How To Get Free Or Low-Cost Appliances Near Me
There are several ways to get low-cost or free appliances near you. One option is to check with your local government or community organizations to see if they have any programs to help low-income families.
Another option is to contact companies that offer appliance rental or leasing programs. Some of these companies may be willing to work with you if you face financial hardship.
Finally, you can check with used appliance stores or classified ads to see if anyone is selling appliances at a low cost. By taking some time to explore all of your options, you should be able to find a way to get the appliances you need at a price you can afford.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a nonprofit organization that assists those in need across a wide variety of spectrums, such as low-income families, the elderly, veterans, at-risk youths, victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, natural disaster victims and the homeless.
The organization has been in operation for over 150 years and has locations in 7k+ US towns and cities. It helps people in several ways, including donating items. To find basic services in your area, enter your ZIP or City here.
If you are under a financial strain, you can get a furniture/appliance voucher from the Salvation Army. When you receive a voucher, you can shop at any of their distribution centers.
To find appliances near your area and determine whether or not you’re eligible to receive a voucher, head to or contact your local Salvation Army here. The items in your local center will vary based on the donations and local needs, so check frequently.
Furniture Bank
Having money to rent a place is one thing, but furnishing it is a different story altogether. Purchasing furniture and appliances can set you back thousands of dollars. This is especially true for large families. Luckily, there is a way for you to not only save money on furniture and appliances but also to receive it at no cost!
The Furniture Bank Association of North America is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the pickup, storage, and donation of gently used furniture and safety-tested electrical appliances. The items are donated by the community, and you can get appliances free of charge with a qualifying referral.
You can contact them and ask if they have what you need. Before distribution, most items are sanitized and reconditioned. There are approximately 80 different furniture banks in North America with each bank operating independently.
To find a Furniture Bank near your area, check here.
People entitled to receive assistance from furniture banks include low-income households, unemployed, formerly homeless, newcomer families, women, and children escaping abusive situations, immigrants/refugees, and folks needing a fresh start.
You must meet the requirements of your local furniture bank to receive free appliances. The allotment is usually based on the size of the applicant’s family.
Habitat For Humanity ReStore
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization working to empower people in the world’s poorest economies. As one of the largest charities in the US, the organization helps to provide household items like furniture and appliances to families in need.
Their vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity ReStore has donation centers and home improvement stores selling new and used appliances, building materials, home goods, and furniture.
The independently owned reuse stores are run by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. These organizations accept donations and sell home improvement items to low-income earners at a fraction of the price.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) is an international voluntary organization that is part of the Catholic Church. It was started in Paris in 1833 during the Industrial Revolution by a small group of French Catholic students for purposes of sanctifying its members by personal service to the poor.
Over the years the society has grown. Since its inception, it has helped over 30 million people in the world. With a focus on emergency aid, education, rebuilding, supporting and sharing, the organization allows members to donate appliances, consumer electronics, art supplies, books, bedding, and clothing, among other items.
The society has tons of locations in the United States and may help you to secure furniture and appliances. You can visit their location page, scroll to the bottom, and you will be able to see the locations.
On your local website, you can get info like the services offered to those in your community and contact information. Like the Salvation Army, SVP’s programs and resources vary by chapter, council, and region.
How To Use Apps To Find Free Appliances
Cars aren’t the only big-ticket items with negotiable price tags. Just like cars, there is often wiggle room in the price of home appliances. An excellent way to save on appliances is to buy used ones.
Thanks to smartphones and the internet, there are a host of apps that allow you to browse new and gently used items for sale in your location.
Letgo
Letgo is a great place to search for a pre-owned version of your desired washer and dryer. A benefit to using the Letgo app, and other apps like Letgo, is that you can conveniently log in with your Facebook account, and all your details will be imported.
The app is available for both iPhone and Android devices. The mobile classifieds ad service allows users to buy from and chat with others locally. As of now, there are 200 million+ listings. To see items available for sale in your area, enter your location.
Try typing ‘free’ on the search bar to narrow your search to only free stuff. You can check the seller’s ratings and reviews before you make a purchasing decision.
VarageSale
This virtual garage sale app will let you buy appliances in your community. With the app, you don’t need to visit your local flea market to shop for the best deals on preowned appliances.
Currently, the app has users in the United States and Canada, Germany, Australia, Japan, Italy, and the United Kingdom. To use VarageSale is very simple. First, enter your location to join a community in your area.
You can connect with your Facebook account to confirm your identity. To be safe, only transact with other verified people in your neighborhood. Also, see average response times and member ratings to get to know sellers.
Ways To Reduce Energy Costs
Worried about rising energy costs? Wondering how to cut the cost of your utility bills? With the cost of electricity rising every passing day, reducing energy wastage in your home saves you money and protects the environment.
There are different ways you can reduce your household’s energy use. Every October is Energy Awareness Month. To help you celebrate the occasion, here are three simple steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption.
Eliminate Dust Under The Refridgerator
Your fridge is working non-stop, and the energy consumed adds up quickly. Your fridge moves heat from inside the refrigerator to outside via coils to keep your food cold.
Over time, the coils get covered in dust. Dust insulates the coils and forces the fridge to use more energy. Consider cleaning your fridge's coils once or twice a year to maintain optimal efficiency.
Replace Heat And Air Filters
Your HVAC system consists of ventilation, heating, and air conditioning. Heating alone accounts for 40 percent of home energy use. An efficient HVAC system will reduce energy consumption. A clogged filter full of dirt will cause your HVAC system to run longer and use 15 percent more energy.
When heat and air filters are free of debris, you save energy. A clean HVAC filter keeps debris and excess dirt from moving through the ducts. Consider changing your filters at least once every three months.
Lower The Thermostat
You can turn down the room thermostat of your central heating system a couple of degrees. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by just turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees than its typical setting for 8 hours a day.
Also, consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat that you can set to turn off automatically when you’re away.
How can I get a fridge with no money?
There are a few ways to get a fridge with no money.
- One option is to save up money over time to purchase one outright.
- Another option is to look for fridges sold second-hand or through classified ads.
- You could also try to barter for a fridge. This could involve offering something that you have in exchange for the fridge.
- Another option is to look for fridges that are being given away for free. This can be done by searching online classifieds websites or by asking around your community.
- Finally, some charities and community organizations may assist in purchasing a fridge for those in need.
By taking advantage of these options, it is possible to get a fridge without spending any money.
Summary
If you’ve been wondering where and how to get a free washer and dryer or free refrigerator, give our tips a try. Do you know of any places where you can find appliances for free, let us and other readers know in the comments section below?
If you qualify for free appliances under the low-income appliance replacement program, you might also qualify for a free laptop.