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May 1, 2008 12:30 pm US/Central
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Energy Saving Products Can Save Texans
New State Tax Holiday Debuts This Year
AUSTIN (CBS 11 News) ―
Texas shoppers now have another reason to go green and save money at the same time.
This year, the state introduces a new tax free holiday -- May 24-26 -- that allows Texans a break from state and local sales taxes when they purchase certain energy efficient appliances.
The appliances and other household equipment must be branded as an Energy Star product and have that label affixed to packages.
State bean counters say shoppers are expected to save about $2.6 million during the Memorial Day weekend spending.
The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is separate from Texas' annual August sales tax holiday on clothing and shoes, which this year is scheduled for Aug. 15-17.
Local and national environmentalists predict Energy Star products will help consumers save even more on their future utility bills.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports indicate Energy Star qualified appliances use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models.
"Conservation and energy diversity are critical for Texas to continue meeting the needs of a growing population and a thriving economy," Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said.
"The Legislature created the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday to reward Texans for choosing the most energy efficient appliances available and helping preserve the state's energy resources."
According to Energy Star, "qualified dishwashers use at least 41 percent less energy than conventional models meeting federal minimum standards. Qualified refrigerators use at least 15 percent less energy than conventional models; central air conditioners use 14 percent less energy; room air conditioners use 10 percent less energy; and ceiling fans that have earned the Energy Star are about 50 percent more efficient."
In addition, the group said Energy Star fluorescent light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday applies only to the following appliances and household equipment: air conditioners priced less than $6,000, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, refrigerators priced less than $2,000 and clothes washers, but not clothes dryers. Energy Star does not label clothes dryers, because most models use about the same amount of energy, officials noted.
Visit Energy Star's Website for a complete list of qualifying products .
The tax break also applies to catalog or Internet sales of eligible products during Memorial Day weekend and to items placed on layaway or removed from layaway during that weekend.
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
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