INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Local stores opened early and were reporting a steady flow of people buying energy-efficient appliancees Friday as part of the state’s rebate program and by midday it was clear the $17.5 million allocated would be spent in a matter of hours.”People had been thinking of replacing an appliance and this was the motivator,” said Jetson’s Susan Harris, who is in charge of client relations. Jetson’s had people inside their Vero Beach store before their special 5 a.m. opening. Harris compared the day to Black Friday, typically one of retailers best shopping days. Early morning lines were also reported at Home Depot and Sears.To receive the rebate customers had to buy a qualifying appliance, then go online to www.rebates.com/florida and apply for a rebate. However, there was no guarantee of getting the rebate and once the $17.5 million is spent, consumers will not have a second chance to qualify.Eligible appliances were Energy Star refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, dishwashers, room air conditioners and hot water tanks.The state estimated that the $17.5 million total available would cover about 66,000 rebates, and appliances.