Is your washer on the fritz? Does your dryer leave your clothes damp after a cycle? Have you had your eye on a new refrigerator for your kitchen? When caring for your home and your family, being proactive when appliances reach old age can be essential. Fortunately, there has never been a better time to invest in a new device for your home. Now through June 30, 2023, the state of Florida has entered a tax-free holiday. This tax exemption period means you can purchase select appliances at either of our two Florida locations (Panama City and Fort Walton) with no sales tax! Learn more about how to take advantage of this opportunity below.
What is a sales tax holiday?
Many of us are familiar with a “tax-free” weekend for the back-to-school season, instituted to help families save money. Usually, this sales-tax exemption applies to back-to-school supplies, clothes, and electronics before school starts in the fall.
This Florida sales tax holiday works in much the same way. Instead of a weekend of savings, this holiday will last an entire year. Friday, July 1, 2022, marked the beginning of this sales tax holiday. It will end on June 30, 2023. Sales tax will not be charged on qualifying home appliances during this time.
Which appliances qualify for the sales tax exemption?
This sales tax holiday was designed to promote the use of energy-efficient products. You can locate energy-efficient products by looking for the ENERGY STAR emblem. The ENERGY STAR program was first established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as a result of the Clean Air Act. This program created rigid standards for companies and products to uphold. With the inception of this program, consumers have been saving money on monthly bills and helping to protect the environment by using less energy since 1992.
During this Florida sales tax holiday, ENERGY STAR appliances for noncommercial use, including specific refrigerator units, water heaters, washing machines, and dryers, are exempt from sales tax. These appliances save you money on bills while also providing the quality and features you expect from your favorite brands. When visiting AllSouth Appliance Showrooms in Ft. Walton and Panama City, you can expect to purchase the following items with no sales tax:
Washing Machines ($1,500 or less)
Whether you’re looking for a top-loading washing machine or a front-load appliance, all ENERGY STAR rated washing machines under $1,500 qualify for this promotion. The Department of Energy regulates the efficiency of all machines built today; however, ENERGY STAR models exceed those standards. Along with the sales tax exemption, ENERGY STAR washing machines offer many benefits to you and your home. They are designed to minimize the amount of water and electricity used per load, saving you money on monthly bills and still providing excellent cleaning results. ENERGY STAR washing machines cut energy consumption by 25% and water consumption by 33%. The average household washes about 300 loads of laundry each year–you can imagine the drastic cut your energy costs will take after installing an ENERGY STAR product.
Aside from financial and environmental benefits, ENERGY STAR washing machines also provide you with safer wash cycles. Moving away from old central agitators allows these new machines to protect your clothes from any potential damage, tears, or stretching over time. Check out AllSouth Appliance’s selection of washing machines, including top brands like GE, Whirlpool, and LG, here.
Dryers ($1,500 or less)
While meeting the ENERGY STAR requirements is relatively simple for washing machines, it can be much more difficult for a dryer to earn the qualification. For a dryer to be ENERGY STAR certified, it must be designed with the most optimal sensors and cutting-edge technology to maximize its functionality while still maintaining its energy efficiency.
The sensors and automated technology installed in these ENERGY STAR dryers can detect when your clothes are dry. This sensor immediately triggers the cycle’s end, cutting drying time and energy costs down. In most models, a lower temperature is used to dry your clothes, resulting in even more energy savings. AllSouth Appliance has a large selection of dryers that are ENERGY STAR certified including machines from Maytag, Bosch, LG, and GE; check them out here. All ENERGY STAR labeled dryers that are $1,500 or less qualify for this sales tax exemption.
Refrigerators ($3,000 or less)
Refrigerators can function for a long time–sometimes well beyond 15 years. However, there is a point where a refrigerator may work while costing you more in your monthly bills due to inefficient use of both power and water. Fortunately, ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators and combination refrigerators/freezers are included in this Florida sales tax holiday.
ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators function 9% more efficiently than standard refrigerators. These machines are designed with energy-efficient features like more efficient compressors and enhanced insulation. These features save you money–lowering your power and water bills monthly. Purchasing an ENERGY STAR labeled refrigerator and recycling your old one can provide significant savings throughout your machine’s life. To view AllSouth Appliance’s selection of refrigerators, check us out here. We have favorite brands, like Kitchenaid, Maytag, and Frigidaire, in our showroom stock.
This Florida tax holiday excludes rented appliances, appliances purchased for resale, and appliances purchased for commercial use. To read more detailed information about this tax exemption period, check out this article from Florida’s revenue department.
Where can I purchase these appliances?
You can purchase ENERGY STAR products at most local home improvement stores. Simply look for the blue ENERGY STAR emblem on the appliance. You should also be able to spot this emblem on the Energy Guide, which showcases the energy performance rating of the product you’re shopping for.
If you are looking to make a purchase in the Ft. Walton or Panama City areas, stop by the AllSouth Appliance showroom. We have a vast selection of ENERGY STAR certified products and will be happy to assist you in finding the best appliance to fit your needs–while also helping you to save money!
