中

Don't Throw Away Old Appliances! 2026 Government Subsidy Can Save You Hundreds

Government Subsidy, Appliance Trade-In, Money Saving Guide —

Ladies, there’s news many might have missed—the second batch of 2026 government subsidies, 62.5 billion yuan, launched on April 15th!

Phones, appliances, air conditioners all have subsidies, potentially saving hundreds. But honestly, many don’t know how to use them, missing the opportunity.

Today I’ll explain the “trade-in subsidy policy” clearly—guaranteed you’ll understand immediately and can use it while available.

62.5 Billion Subsidy—What’s Covered?

First, the important stuff: What does this subsidy cover?

1. Phones

  • Purchase new phone, up to 15% subsidy
  • Maximum 800 yuan per device
  • Need to return old phone (any brand)

2. Appliances

  • Refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, TVs, etc.
  • Up to 20% subsidy
  • Maximum 1000 yuan per device
  • Must be “trade-in” with old unit recycled

3. Air Conditioners

  • Additional subsidy for Tier 1 energy efficiency
  • New units save electricity—hundreds per year

Policy validity: April 15 - December 31, 2026

How to Use It? 3 Key Steps

Step 1: Understand the Subsidy Scope

Not all appliances are subsidized! Only “specified categories.”

Phones: Pretty much all new phones qualify. Old phones of any brand and condition can be traded in.

Appliances: Must be “trade-in.” Can’t just buy new—old unit must be recycled.

Air conditioners: Need to upgrade to “Tier 1 energy efficiency” for additional subsidy.

Step 2: Calculate Actual Savings

Many think “20% subsidy” means 20% off—not quite!

Subsidy formula:

1
Subsidy amount = (New price - Old unit residual value) × Subsidy rate

Example:

  • New AC price: 4000 yuan
  • Old AC residual value: 200 yuan (merchant recycling price)
  • Subsidy rate: 20%
  • Actual subsidy = (4000 - 200) × 20% = 760 yuan

Final payment: 4000 - 200 - 760 = 3040 yuan

Saves 960 yuan compared to original price!

Step 3: Avoid Common Traps

Some merchants “raise prices then subsidize”—looks like you got a subsidy, but actually saved little.

How to avoid:

  • Compare the same product across different platforms
  • Calculate the final payment amount after subsidy
  • Don’t be fooled by “20% subsidy” marketing

My Experience

I used this policy last month to replace an air conditioner. Here’s what it was like:

  1. Old Unit Recycling is Simple
    Merchant comes to dismantle and pick up the old unit—no need to move it yourself. Old unit of any brand counts for trade-in. My 10-year-old AC got me 200 yuan.

  2. Subsidy Deducted Directly
    No need to pay full price then apply for refund—subsidy is deducted at checkout. Very convenient.

  3. Energy Savings Are Real
    New Tier 1 energy efficiency AC uses 40% less electricity than the old one. That’s over 300 yuan saved on electricity per year—the subsidy pays for itself in 2-3 years.

Important Notes

Great policy, but a few things to watch:

  • Need old unit: No old unit, no subsidy (except phones)
  • Keep the invoice: Subsidy application requires invoice—don’t lose it
  • Act fast: Policy ends at year-end—don’t wait until the last moment

My Advice

If you’re planning to replace your phone, appliances, or air conditioner, this policy is worth using.

But if you don’t urgently need to replace, don’t do it just for the subsidy. After all, “not buying saves 100%”—we all know that principle.

One final thought: 62.5 billion in subsidies—use it or lose it. But use it wisely, don’t get played by merchants. Forward this to friends—don’t regret when the policy expires.

(Whisper: Since replacing my AC, summer electricity bills really dropped. The feeling of saving money—whoever uses it knows.)

Related Posts