Does your refrigerator predate the Cold War? Then your electric company would like to hear from you, and they wouldn’t mind if you jettisoned the old icebox while you’re at it.

For months now, customers of Penelec and other FirstEnergy Corp. utilities have been eligible to trade in their old, but still functioning, refrigerators for a $50 incentive.

The effort, designed to eliminate old and energy-wasting appliances, has been paired with a contest that will reward the owner of the oldest working refrigerator in the region — or at least the owner of the oldest refrigerator who is willing to part with their long-serving chill chest.

The winner will receive more than bragging rights. The owner of the oldest refrigerator recycled by the program will receive a $1,000 Sears gift card toward the purchase of any Energy Star certified product.

“We’ll reveal the ages of the refrigerators we’ve collected when the contest ends,” said Doug Elliott, president of Pennsylvania operations for FirstEnergy. “We’re sure there are many more ancient refrigerators still running out there.”

Anyone who turns in her old refrigerator to Penelec by the end of August will receive $50 and will be entered to win a prize of $250.

To schedule a refrigerator or freezer pickup, call (877) 270-3521 or visit energysavePA.com.