| Texas families can save on the purchase of certain water-efficient and water-conserving products and energy-efficient appliances during the state’s new Water-Efficient Products and annual ENERGY STAR®sales tax holidays. Both take place Saturday, May 28, through Monday, May 30.
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts estimates shoppers will save an estimated $8.7 million in state and local sales tax during the Memorial Day Weekend sales tax holidays. “Anyone who has lived through a Texas summer knows that this is the time of year when our state is hit by peak demands for both water and electricity,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. “These two sales tax holidays, both set for Memorial Day weekend, give Texans the opportunity to save some money while upgrading their homes and businesses with energy-efficient appliances and water-conserving products.” The Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday is new this year, having been approved by the Texas Legislature in 2015. Products that display a WaterSense® label or logo can be purchased tax free for personal or business use. These include showerheads, bathroom sink faucets and accessories, toilets, urinals and landscape irrigation controls. The sales tax holiday also applies to water-conserving products used or planted for conserving or retaining groundwater, recharging water tables or decreasing ambient air temperature to limit water evaporation. Items that qualify for the exemption include soaker or drip-irrigation hoses; a moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system; mulch; and plants, trees and grasses. These items can only be purchased tax free for personal use. There is no limit to the number of water-efficient or water-conserving products you can purchase. For a complete list of items and more information on the Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday, go to the Comptroller’s website. During the ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday, the following energy-efficient products that display the ENERGY STAR logo can be purchased tax free: qualified air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less; refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less; ceiling fans; fluorescent light bulbs; dishwashers; dehumidifiers; and clothes washers (clothes dryers are not included). Go to the Comptroller’s website for more ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday details. Estimated annual energy and water savings for eligible products are listed in the chart below: |
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| ENERGY STAR® Appliance vs. Conventional | ||
| Appliance Type | Energy Savings | Water Savings |
| Central Air Conditioners | 15% | |
| Room/Window Air Conditioners | 15% | |
| Refrigerators | 10% | |
| Ceiling Fans | 60% | |
| Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs | 80% | |
| Clothes Washers | 25% | 40% |
| Dish Washers | 5% | 15% |
| Dehumidifiers | 15% | |
| Source: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | ||
