Hawaii residents have bought nearly 8,000 refrigerators that qualify for $250 rebates each under a program meant to encourage energy efficient appliances.

The monthlong rebate program, which ended Wednesday, was available to people who bought Energy Star refrigerators and recycled inefficient “clunker” refrigerators.

The rebates are paid with federal stimulus funds.

Hawaii Energy Efficiency Program Manager Ray Starling says the program will save more than 100,000 barrels of oil over the life of the new refrigerators.

Residential consumers who received an original rebate form and submit it before July 31 are guaranteed the rebate.

It will take 10 to 12 weeks for the federal rebates to be processed.