💌 OPEN NOW to find the perfect present for your valentine ♥

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 02/13/2025 11:53 AM EST
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Thursday, February 13, 2025 | Montgomery Energy Connection

♥ ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE...
AND ENERGY STAR TAX FREE APPLIANCES! ♥

Energy Star

Roses are red 
Violets are blue 
Shop Energy Star Tax Free Weekend  
And your family will love you 

Or more importantly, they will love you MORE because from February 15 to February 17, 2025, ENERGY STAR appliances are exempt from the 6% state sales tax. Shop Maryland Energy Weekend is an annual event that is the perfect time to upgrade your home with energy-efficient appliances and more—all while keeping more money in your pocket. 

Here are just a few things you can buy this weekend, without paying for sales tax: 

  • air conditioners  
  • boilers 
  • clothes dryers
  • clothes washers 
  • dehumidifiers 
  • furnaces 
  • heat pumps 
  • LED lightbulbs 
  • programmable thermostats 
  • standard size refrigerators 

Want to be sure you’re picking the right ENERGY STAR model? Look for the blue ENERGY STAR label when shopping and check out the state’s handy FAQ sheet for more details. 

Looking for additional Valentine's gifts that will woo your significant other?

Look no further, we have you covered!

Here are three things you can do right now and we assure you will win MAJOR points in the romance department! 

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Get credit for installing (up to) $150 dollars worth of energy efficient goodies in your home...

All you have to do is schedule a Quick Home Energy Checkup for your apartment, condo, townhouse, or single-family home at no additional cost. During the hour-long assessment, a certified contractor will evaluate your home’s energy usage and identify areas for improvement. And, you will receive up to $150 worth of energy efficient goodies like LED light bulbs, smart thermostats, faucet aerators, efficient-flow showerheads, water heater pipe insulation, ShowerStart® showerhead adapter and advanced power strips. 
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Set the mood by buying some mood lighting from your Utility Marketplace... 

The Utility Marketplace is an online store managed by your utility provider and they offer energy-efficient products at reduced costs to help create a smarter, more connected and comfortable home.

To access the marketplace, you will need to login with your account number. Once logged in, you will find competitive process similar to those available on other online platforms. 
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Or create a romantic night by borrowing a thermal camera from the library (this costs nothing!) 

Since there is still snow on the ground, it is important to keep your home nice and cozy for those Netflix and Chill nights. Montgomery County Public Libraries have thermal cameras available that allow you to inspect your home with infrared technology using your smartphone. What better way to spend this heart filled holiday than by giving your home a mini home energy audit to identify door, window, electricity outlets, cable or Internet entry points that lose or gain heat, as well as exterior plumbing fixtures leaks and insulation issues. All you need is a library card. 

🌹 I just want the Good Stuff! 🌹

We know that you skipped to this part because you wanted to get to the goodies...here are your Valentine's treats! 

  • Make Your Dreams Come True this Valentine's Day: Come work for Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Or maybe you don't like trees, that's okay because My Green Montgomery has a Green Jobs Board that lists green jobs (focused on energy, sustainability, water, trees, community greening, environmental ed, etc.) based in the DC or Baltimore regions. Who knows, maybe one of these jobs may be the arrow Cupid is sending your way!
  • Nothing Says "I LOVE YOU" like a LED BULB: Lighting is the number one way to set the mood and you don't want to be caught using mercury filled CFLs or energy INEFFICIENT incandescent bulbs so make sure you check out our County-sponsored lightbulb exchange events called Illumination Stations. Stop by and swap out your incandescent or CFL bulbs for 60-Watt equivalent LEDs at no cost. Events on this Calendar with a 💡are Light Bulb Exchanges.
  • Buy them a ticket for an event they do NOT want to miss: Is your Valentine an energy aficionado, how about registering them for the annual Montgomery County Energy Summit? This two day event offers cutting-edge education focused on the latest trends in green building, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related commercial, multifamily, and residential topics in Montgomery County and it is happening on April 8-9, 2025 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Show them your love by registering them today.
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