PRESS RELEASE: Sales Tax Holidays for Water-Efficient and ENERGY STAR Products Set for May 25-27

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Kevin Lyons
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 15, 2019

Sales Tax Holidays for Water-Efficient and ENERGY STAR®
Products Set for May 25-27

(AUSTIN) — Texas families and businesses can save on the purchase of certain water- and energy-efficient products during the state’s Water-Efficient Products and ENERGY STAR® sales tax holidays. Both take place Saturday, May 25, through Monday, May 27.

The Texas Comptroller’s office estimates shoppers will save about $12.6 million in state and local sales taxes during the Memorial Day weekend sales tax holidays.

“Inefficient appliances and outdated water systems can put a tremendous strain on our power grids and water supplies,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “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.”

This is the fourth year for the Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday. Products displaying a WaterSense® label or logo can be purchased tax-free for personal or business use. These include showerheads, bathroom sink faucets and accessories, toilets, urinals and landscape irrigation controls.

The sales tax holiday also applies to lawn and garden products that help conserve water outdoors. Items qualifying for the exemption include soaker or drip-irrigation hoses; moisture controls for a sprinkler or irrigation system; mulch; and plants, trees and grasses. These items can be purchased tax-free for residential use only.

There’s no limit to the number of water-efficient or water-conserving products you can purchase tax-free. For more information on the Water-Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday, visit the Comptroller’s website. 

During the ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday, certain energy-efficient products displaying the ENERGY STAR logo can be purchased tax-free, including air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less, refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, dishwashers, dehumidifiers and clothes washing machines.

Visit the Comptroller’s website for more ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday details. Members of the media can access downloadable graphics and other resources at our online media center.

Estimated annual energy and water savings for eligible products are listed below.

ENERGY STAR® Appliance vs. Conventional
Appliance Type Energy Savings Water Savings
Central Air Conditioners 8%  
Room/Window Air Conditioners 10%  
Refrigerators 9%  
Ceiling Fans 40%  
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs 70%  
Clothes Washers 25% 33%
Dishwashers 12% 30%
Dehumidifiers 30%  
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
.