The state’ sales tax holiday on appliances that are certified as energy efficient starts Friday, runs through Sunday and will be discontinued after this year.
The annual moratorium, on appliances such as clothes washers, dehumidifiers and air conditioning units marked with an "Energy Star” label, cost the state an estimated $12.5 million in uncollected taxes since it was implemented in 2008, according to the state Department of Revenue.
Legislators voted to eliminate it this year, along with the back-to-school tax holiday held annually in August. It was generally seen as an effort to encourage spending and to help consumers create less pollution.
"The more efficient we all are about our use of electricity, the less demand there is to generate additional electricity,” said Seth Effron, spokesman for the state energy office.
Sales tax varies by county and generally ranges between 7 and 7.5 percent. The following items qualify:
- Clothes washers
- Freezers and refrigerators
- Central air conditioners and room air conditioners
- Air-source heat pumps
- Ceiling fans
- Dehumidifiers
- Programmable thermostats
