Is your old kitchen starting to make you sick just to look at? Then you should probably consider some new money-saving appliances to make it seem like a whole new place.

It won't take you more than a few hours to rejuvenate your kitchen and add some color to it with some shiny new appliances.

However, a new and refreshing look for your kitchen is not the only reason you should consider renewing your appliances. Depending on how much energy they consume, you are most likely to get a rebate if you choose appliances that are Energy Star rated, and all as a result of the 'cash for appliances' program. As a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, this program is federally funded with $300 million, but its regulation may differ from one state to another.

Before shopping for new appliances, check information from your state, easily done with an internet search engine, and see which appliances qualify and how much the rebates will be. In some cases rebates are deducted as a percentage of the cost, in others they are an already set amount that may vary, depending on the appliance, from $50 to $200 per item as dictated by the Department of Energy.

Unfortunately, residents of several states will have to wait for the program to be initiated until later this year. In the state of Oklahoma, for instance, the launching is scheduled for April 22 and rebates will be limited to one per appliance and two per household. Also, the removal and disposal of old appliances once they have been replaced with the new energy efficient ones is a requirement in Oklahoma. Some states, such as Minnesota, have already begun and exhausted their projected funding for the program.

Although a great opportunity, you should not let the rebate funding influence your plans for your kitchen renovation. New appliances are a good investment even if they don't come with federal funding.

New Energy Star appliances will save you money on a monthly basis as your electricity bills will be significantly lower, and they will make your kitchen look a lot better than before. Refrigerators, for example, are one of the biggest consumers of electricity that we own, behind heating and air, and a new model can lower your monthly bill.

Although the rebate program in your state may focus on your refrigerator and dishwasher, you can include your stove for $600 or so more, and give your kitchen a totally new look. Not to mention it takes less money and much less effort than installing new cabinets, walls or floors. While a remodeling job could leave you looking for a contractor and wading through a construction zone for days or weeks, replacing your appliances involves only a trip to the store and scheduling delivery. In less than a day's time and with no trouble at all you can have an entirely different kitchen, more modern, more elegant and better-performing.