Need a New Household Appliance? Wait Until Memorial Day to Buy!

The state of Texas is giving you an opportunity to save hundreds of dollars on energy-saving appliances – not to mention the savings on your monthly electric bill. Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30, 2011 is a Texas Energy Star sales tax holiday. You’ll pay no state or local sales tax on certain energy star products if you purchase them during that weekend.

This is a good deal even if your appliances still work well but are older. If you buy a refrigerator that costs $1,500, and you normally pay 8.25 percent sales tax, you’ll immediately save $123.75 by not paying tax. Plus, Energy Star refrigerators are required to use 20 percent less energy than a regular refrigerator, which shaves money off your energy costs down the road.

Many Energy Star products also qualify for rebates. The federal government is offering 10 percent off the cost of certain appliances and improvements, up to $500. Various energy companies also offer rebates or incentives on energy-saving appliances. And, some Energy Star appliances quality for income tax credits. When you take advantage of every offer available to you, your appliance could end up paying for itself in a very short amount of time.

Appliances that apply for the sales tax exemption include:

• Air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less
• Refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less
• Ceiling fans
• Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Dehumidifiers
• Programmable thermostats

Energy Star is a joint program of the United States Environment Protection Agency and Department of Energy. Energy Star appliances meet rigorous standards for energy efficiency or water efficiency standards set by the federal government. The appliances use less energy, which is better for the environment and better on your household utility bill.

There are two websites you’ll want to visit before you shop. Texaspowerfulsmart.org provides information about the tax holiday, gives links for incentives from local energy companies and gives tip on becoming energy efficient. Energystar.gov is a comprehensive website that will tell you everything you need to know about Energy Star appliances, gives you information on rebates available from the federal government and provides an entire library of articles on energy efficiency.

Wait until Memorial Weekend to shop for your new energy efficient appliances. Then, come back here and let us know what good deals you walked away with.