WASHINGTON — If you’re in the need for new appliances, the weekend of Saturday, Feb. 16 is the perfect time to save on qualifying Energy Star appliances through the annual Shop Maryland Energy weekend.
Products that meet or exceed the Energy Star efficiency requirements developed by the EPA and the Department of Energy will be tax-free Feb. 16 through Feb. 18.
“This is a huge deal for Maryland consumers, but also for people in D.C. and Virginia,” Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said. “They come into Maryland because we wave the 6 percent sales tax on expensive, energy efficient appliances.”
The following products will be exempt from Maryland’s 6 percent sales tax:
- Air conditioners
- Washers and dryers
- Furnaces
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Solar water heaters
- Standard-sized refrigerators
- Dehumidifiers
- Programmable thermostats
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs
“Shop Maryland Energy weekend is a great time to take advantage of potentially hundreds of dollars in savings on ENERGY STAR products that are good for the environment,” Franchot said. “This program boosts sales during an otherwise down time for businesses and gives consumers an incentive to purchase energy-efficient appliances.”
“It’s hugely popular. The state loses almost a million dollars in sales tax revenue, but we don’t really lose it because a lot of shopping for non-energy efficient appliances occurs when they’re in the appliance store,” Franchot said.
There are no energy efficient dishwashers for example.
Details about the visits will be released before the planned stops.
Local utilities Pepco and Washington Gas also have incentive programs for purchases of some energy efficient appliances.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.