Sales Tax Holiday for Energy Efficient Appliances

[kjackson227]

For Immediate Release
April 29, 2009

Contact: Allen Spelce or R.J. DeSilva
[phone]

Find the Energy Star, Skip the Tax
Sales Tax Holiday Helps Consumers Save Money on Energy Efficient Appliances

(AUSTIN) — Thinking about replacing your old energy-zapping refrigerator or washing machine? The second-annual Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday may be the extra incentive you need.

Consumers who have delayed buying a new, energy-efficient air conditioner, dishwasher or other major appliance may want to consider making a purchase over Memorial Day weekend, when Texans have the opportunity to cash in not once, but twice, on energy efficient products.

“It’s a great deal for consumers who will not only save at the register, but also at home, where they’ll see the benefits returned in energy savings on their utility bills,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “Texas benefits from conserving energy and natural resources.”

During the three-day tax holiday, which runs May 23–25, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes when they purchase certain energy-efficient appliances and other household equipment bearing an Energy Star label. Shoppers can expect to save about $3 million overall in state and local sales taxes during the event, which is patterned after the annual Sales Tax Holiday on clothing and shoes in mid-August.

The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday applies only to the following appliances and household equipment: air conditioners priced less than $6,000, refrigerators priced less than $2,000, ceiling fans, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, clothes washers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats, along with installation and delivery charges for these products.

More information about the tax holiday is available on the Comptroller’s Web site at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/sales/faq_energy_star.html. More information about Energy Star products can be found at www.energystar.gov.

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[tammywammy]

1. I bought a new fridge with my income tax refund

I was planning on waiting until Memorial Day weekend for this, but when my income tax refund was much larger than expected (I forgot to decrease my withholding to account for all the school tuition I now pay), I went ahead and got it in February instead. Plus it was on sale and a good deal.

My old fridge was probably 15-20 years old, I'm not sure exactly it was a hand-me-down from my dad's wife, and my new fridge is energy star rated and expected to only cost $50/year to run. w00t!

[sonias]

4. Way to help out the economy, Tammy!

And the environment too!

:applause:


Sonia

[tammywammy]

8. Sonia, it the "French door" style

OMG! I loooove it. I love having the freezer on the bottom. My old fridge was, well so old that I feel futuristic almost when I open the doors on this one. LOL!

[Honeycombe8]

15. I'm green w/envy! That's the type of fridge I want (and I hope will be getting soon)

What brand did you get? Is it a single door on top, or a side-by-side on the top fridge part?

[tammywammy]

18. I got an LG

It's a side by side on top and a pull out drawer freezer on the bottom. It was on sale at Best Buy, so it actually came down within my price range (well, just a little above what I was wanting to spend, but still....)

Plus, it has an ice maker, which the old one didn't have. You don't realize the awesomeness of an ice maker until you don't have one (same goes with a dishwasher). LOL!

[onestepforward]

2. Thanks for the info.

I'm sure you will save a lot with your new fridge! I need to replace my 12 year old one too. The tax holiday will help people save money, especially if you can combine it with a good sale!

[kjackson227]

3. Guys, these Energy Star appliances really will help your energy bill

All of my appliances (with the exception of my hot water heater) are energy star (came with my home). Have you all switched to the fluorescent bulbs yet? I purchased mine last year (spent about $40 to change out my whole house), and I started saving around $25-$30 per month on my electric bill. I would absolutely love to get a tankless hot water heater, but when I talked to the Sears tech who installed the water heater, he said that those things cost around $5,000 :-(

[sonias]

5. I would love a tankless water heater too

Not all of them are in the $5K range. Did you do a google search for them? I'm seeing prices under $1K. I'm sure the installation costs add to the cost but certainly it shouldn't run $4K for an installation.


Sonia

[kjackson227]

9. I'm not sure...but this is what the Sears tech told me.

Apparently, it's the home prep that adds to the cost. I remember seeing a DIY program about it, and the home prep looked very detailed.

[onestepforward]

6. I switched all of my bulbs several years ago and it did help.

I also unplug everything not in use (even the can opener!) and I've put the TV and computer on a plug strip that I turn off at night. Every little bit helps : )

[kjackson227]

10. oooooh, I forget to unplug everything, but I do the power strip thingy.

[WolverineDG]

17. That definitely makes a difference

as do the CFL lightbulbs. I was shocked when I saw how much impact those have on my bill!

dg

[Aragorn]

7. CFLs

I agree with the savings although in certain fixtures they blow out way sooner than claimed.

Another lesser noted savings is changing BACK to window units. Properly sealed, keeps cold in and bugs out. Between the 2 my summer bill is less than half of what it was. I have 2 small and 1 medium window unit, set at 78 degrees. All paid for themselves the first few months. (It's hot a lot of the time in Texas.) CFLs = less heat for the A/C to cool back down, so synergistic. Of course I open the windows more especially in this rural area with little air pollution.

Sales tax holidays are a nice gesture but not where the real savings lie.

Oh yeah, compare plasma TV to LCD. Heat output, cost to operate, etc. Plasma looks great but I'll go with LCD from now on.

[kjackson227]

11. Window units??? Nooo, I didn't know I could save more by using THOSE...

I always thought that they cost more! Here in Dallas, not only will the heat kill you, but so will the HUMIDITY. This past weekend, my a/c registered at 72, but with the humidity, it felt like 78-80 degrees. What brand of window units do you use? What are CFL's? Has anyone used the radiant heat barrier that you paint on??? Does it work???

[tammywammy]

12. I have a few friends that put the radiant barrier in

They all say it does work. I'd get it if I could afford it right now, along with some more insulation in the attic.

[Honeycombe8]

14. I had the radiant barrier installed last time I got my roof replaced.

I didn't notice any difference in my electric bills. If anything, they went higher. Reason is, I've read, the radiant barrier doesn't work too well in really hot, sunny areas. Something about when the heat DOES get into the attic, it's just sooooo hot, that it takes forever for it to go out again. The radiant barrier acts as a trap. It's better, some article I read said, to just have an airy, breezy attic, so air can go through, up, down, in, and out of the attic, w/o getting trapped.

Too late, though. I have it. So, I don't know. My bills stayed about the same or a bit higher. But I may have had a rate increase at that time, too.

I DID notice the decrease in bills when I got the window unit, though. Central units really suck juice. More than anything else.

[Honeycombe8]

13. I added a small window unit to my bedroom for the nighttime.

So I can turn up the temp on my central unit at night, shut my bedroom door, & turn on the small, energy efficient window unit. It has helped my summer a/c electric bills. Only thing is....I had to add insulation around it, so the unit, esp with the ugly insulation, looks unsightly from the outside. It faces nothing but a fence on the side of my yard that no one can see, so I guess it doesn't matter.

I'm thinking of getting another window unit for another room on that side. But this time, I'd like to see if I can temporarily use it, then remove it for the winter. But my other one had to be screwed into place, so I can't remove it.

[WolverineDG]

16. It's this weekend, so kickin' it back to the top!

:woohoo:

Are any of the High Holy Blue States doing this?

dg

[tammywammy]

19. Good reminder for anyone on here looking to get any appliances

:)

[Why Syzygy]

20. Some of them

have income taxes rather than sales taxes. Haven't you ever heard Texas disparaged for NOT having income tax by some of the Texas haters? :eyes:

[kjackson227]

21. Saw a lot of good sales for energy eff. a/c window units (Conns)...

last weekend. Hope the sale will still be on for this weekend. Haven't been on the blog for awhile, hope everyone is well :)