Water savers get tax-free weekend

Millions of people across America were given their first ever chance to buy a water-saving toilet tax free this weekend.

The offer was part of a four-day tax holiday across the US on any products marked with a WaterSense or Energy Star label.

Energy and water saving products, including taps, toilets, refrigerators, dishwashers, light bulbs and air conditioners, were all exempt from local and state sales tax between 2nd and 5th October.

Any item marked with one of the labels, costing less than $1,500, and being bought for household use was available tax free.

Certain cities and states offered their citizens up to $100 additional cash back or rebates for products in the scheme, making energy efficient items even cheaper.

It was the fourth year in a row that a tax break weekend has been given to Energy Star products, but the first time that water saving products, such as dual flush toilets and low-flow showerheads, were included in the scheme.

Refrigerators with an Energy Star label use less electricity than a 75 watt lightbulb and can save home-owners up to $60 per year on their energy bills, whilst low-energy light bulbs use up to 68% less electricity than standard bulbs, and last 10 times longer.

Dual flush toilets use around 50% less water per flush than standard toilets.

Water shortages across the US have been pushing water conservation increasingly high up the political agenda.

This is believed to be the reason behind water saving products being made a part of the weekend’s tax breaks.