September 19-21 will be Florida's first-ever Energy Star and WaterSense products tax holiday. Buyers can save on the 6% sales tax on 16 eligible appliances and water-conserving accessories during the state's final tax holiday of the year (other tax holidays offered by the state have included hurricane supplies in May and school supplies in August). What that means for the consumer is up to $90 in savings (not including any accompanying sales by retailers), since the exemption applies to the first $1,500 of each new Energy Star appliances of $500 or more. The 6% discount is applied to just one of each qualifying item in this category of $500 or more.

For items priced less than $500, there is no limit on how many items that can be purchased. Qualifying Energy Star appliances include washers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, water heaters, pool pumps, air purifiers and dehumidifiers, ceiling fans and light bulbs. Bathroom sink faucets and faucet accessories, shower heads, high-efficiency toilets and weather or sensor-based irrigation controllers are also on the WaterSense list.

Buyers can compound savings with additional county/city rebates.Broward County is offering a $100 Water and Wastewater Services credit on new WaterSense toilets. West Palm Beach also is offering $100 credits in a toilet replacement program, which includes $100 each for up to two residential and four commercial properties. Check with your municipality to see if it is offering any rebates.

We at The Gayle Borden Group think its a great time to invest in your home, while saving money – and water! – at the same time!