STATEWIDE -- There are all kinds of sales for Memorial Day weekend, and one in particular could save shoppers money, as well as the environment. 

This weekend is a sales tax holiday for water- and energy-efficient goods. That means from Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28, Texans can purchase Energy Star items like air conditioners or refrigerators, or any products with WaterSense labels and pay no taxes. 

Water-conserving products like soaker hoses, mulch, and many others are also eligible. The state comptroller’s office estimates consumers will save almost $11 million in state and local sales taxes. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items people can buy. 

“Roughly about 60 percent of the entire state of Texas is under a drought or abnormal drought conditions, and so it’s another way this weekend to remind everybody as we’re going forward, every bit you can do to save, is money in your pocket, as well as using the resources better that we have in the state of Texas,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

Buy items that are used or planted for:

  • conserving or retaining groundwater
  • recharging water tables
  • decreasing ambient air temperature, and so limiting water evaporation

Examples of items that qualify for the exemption include:

  • soaker or drip-irrigation hose
  • moisture control for a sprinkler or irrigation system
  • mulch
  • rain barrel or an alternative rain and moisture collection system
  • permeable ground cover surface that allows water to reach underground basins, aquifers or water collection points
  • plants, trees and grasses
  • water-saving surfactants
  • soil and compost

Energy Star Products: 

  • air conditioners (with a sales price of $6,000 or less)
  • refrigerators (with a sales price of $2,000 or less)
  • ceiling fans
  • incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
  • clothes washers
  • dishwashers
  • dehumidifiers

For more information visit the Texas Comptroller's website.