Looking To Go Green Amarillo? Take Advantage of Tax Free This Weekend

One of my favorite things about Memorial Day is the fact that it is the unofficial kickoff to summer which means it's time to get the around the house to do project list out and see what I haven't tackled yet or what we can add to it. If energy saving upgrades are on that list, the state of Texas might just be doing you a favor this weekend. There are two big incentives running from May 29th through May 31st.

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The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday

Let's start with Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday. This holiday is actually a big one, If you have appliances that are on the fritz this is definitely the chance to upgrade. The first group are some bigger ticket items that are energy star rated which according to the Texas Comptrollers office include

• air conditioners (with a sales price of $6,000 or less)
• refrigerators (with a sales price of $2,000 or less) (but not standalone freezers, wine refrigerators or kegerators)
• ceiling fans
• incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
• clothes washers (but not dryers)
• dishwashers
• dehumidifiers

Some of the other items that are NOT included even though they are energy star certified include water heaters, attic fans and water pumps. Xcel Energy is even offering rebates on top of this and will haul off your old fridge too! But don't just stop there. your water appliances can also give you some savings too.

Water Sense Sales Tax Holiday

Any product that contains the Water Sense Logo is eligible for this tax holiday. Look for this guy:

Now the state is also allowing some exceptions for residential uses of the following items:

• a soaker or drip-irrigation hose
• a moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system
• mulch
• a rain barrel or an alternative rain and moisture collection system
• a permeable ground cover surface that allows water to reach underground basins, aquifers or water collection points
• plants, trees and grasses
• water-saving surfactants
• soil and compost

Now what's left out are awnings, air conditioners, celling fans and sprinklers. but just think of it this way, what you save on the tax on the larger items might just take care of those other items. You're also doing your part to help conserve water which here in the Panhandle is already a precious resource.

Texas Comptroller Glen Heger was quoted on record “Outdated water systems and inefficient appliances, along with triple-digit temperatures, can put a tremendous strain on our water supplies and power grids, By taking advantage of these sales tax holidays, Texans can make upgrades that will help alleviate those pressures and lower their utility bills while saving money on state and local sales taxes.”

By the way, if you're looking for some home improvement tips, why not check out our Virtual Home and Garden Show?