Water-saving toilets are tax-free this weekend

This weekend’s a great time to buy an ultra low-flow toilet, especially for those living in a house built before 1993.

Starting Thursday, toilets that carry the WaterSense label — and use only 1.28 gallons per flush — are tax-free through Sunday. Metro Atlanta homeowners can also take advantage of a $100 rebate.

For the cheapest toilets, that brings the cost down to around $50, not including delivery and installation.

Energy-efficient products that carry the ENERGY STAR label are also tax-free starting Thursday, including washing machines, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dishwashers and refrigerators. In all cases, the state and local sales tax exemption is only good for products priced at $1,500 or less.

This is the state’s first sales tax holiday for water-efficient products. It’s an environmentally friendly sweetener added earlier this year to state legislation that’s designed to fast-track new water supply reservoirs. In addition to toilets, WaterSense showerheads and bathroom faucets also qualify for the tax exemption.

Products that carry the WaterSense and ENERGY STAR labels are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The toilet rebates are offered through the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and DeKalb and Cobb counties. For more information, go to northgeorgiawater.com, or contact your water provider.