If you've been thinking about replacing old appliances in your home, not to mention helping the environment at the same time, you may want to take advantage of a pair of tax breaks offered through Nov. 30.
West Virginia's Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday, now in its third and final year, allows people to purchase products that save up to 50 percent on energy bills, and nix the 6 percent state sales tax at the same time. In addition, a federal tax credit remains in place that can save buyers 30 percent of the purchase price, up to $1,500.
In both cases, the savings are available only on certain Energy Star qualified products.
Davis Electrical Service, located at the corner of Scott Street and Randolph Avenue in Elkins, carries a full line of Energy Star rated products including washers and dryers, water heaters, refrigerators, dish washers and other equipment.
"These products will help people save on their energy bills," owner Jim Davis said. "Right now, it's a really good value with the federal government offering the rebate and the state government with no consumer sales tax. That makes it a no-brainer to step up to an Energy Star product. Aside from helping folks save on utility bills, these products use less water and electric, which is good for the environment."
DreamScapes Bath & Home Gallery and Valley Supply Co., located at 1018 Railroad Ave. in Elkins, can also help answer questions on either incentive program, plus other bathroom, kitchen, plumbing or heating related issues.
"When it comes to Energy Star rated products, we carry Navien and Noritz water heaters, both of those can save you hundreds of dollars," manager Emily Earl said. "With those, they only use the amount of water that you are actually going to use. You don't have to constantly heat up the water and hold it. That's nice. We also carry Buderus Boiler systems. They are very similar to condensing units. They are 98 percent efficient and heat your home with hot water. It's very comfortable and it ends up paying for itself within three years."
Gov. Joe Manchin introduced the tax holiday legislation in 2008 with the West Virginia Legislature's support. Attorney General Darrell McGraw's Office successfully litigated against two credit card companies on behalf of West Virginia consumers, which supports consumer initiatives such as this.
"For the past two years, the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday has allowed our citizens to save money by purchasing energy efficient household appliances," Manchin said in a prepared statement. "Our citizens have realized energy savings from purchases made during the two previous tax holidays. I hope West Virginia families will continue to take steps to improve their household energy efficiency and our environment by participating one more time."
In addition to the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday, consumers can also take advantage of the West Virginia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, which began in June and is being administered by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Mail-in rebates are available to West Virginia residents on purchases of Energy Star qualified clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers and room air conditioners.
The large number of Americans using qualified Energy Star products have made great strides toward energy efficiency. In the last year alone, Americans saved enough energy to power 10 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions from 30 million cars, all while saving $17 billion on their utility bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Some of the Energy Star qualified products making their way into American homes include household appliances, heating and cooling units, home electronics and roofing equipment.
Consumers must certify that the purchase is made from a participating West Virginia retailer and products must replace an existing appliance. Retailers, in turn, are required to take the consumer's old, inefficient appliance out of service and recycle it. This helps meet the program's goals of saving energy and reducing pollution and waste.
All West Virginia retailers of Energy Star qualified products will participate in the Sales Tax Holiday. These retailers have been asked to display a sign in the store's windows, on the door or in the aisle, noting their participation in the Sept. 1 through Nov. 30 program.
Learn more about the holiday and the qualified products at the www.wvtax.gov. Learn more about the West Virginia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program at www.wvappliancerebate.com.
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