As reported by the Southern Maryland Chronicle:

Annapolis, Maryland – Maryland will suspend its 6 percent state sales tax on qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances during Shop Maryland Energy Weekend, scheduled for Saturday, February 14, through Monday, February 16, 2026, allowing residents to purchase energy-efficient products at reduced upfront costs.

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced the tax holiday on February 4, 2026, highlighting its role in providing savings to households facing rising everyday expenses and utility bills. The exemption applies to both new and used eligible appliances purchased in stores or online during the three-day period, which runs from 12:01 a.m. on February 14 to 11:59 p.m. on February 16.

“We are waiving the state’s 6% sales tax on qualifying Energy Star appliances to deliver real savings to Maryland families that can help offset increasing household costs on everyday items and higher utility bills,” Lierman stated. “I encourage Marylanders to consider purchasing any needed new appliances during Shop Maryland Energy Weekend to take advantage of lower upfront costs and long-term energy savings.”

Qualifying ENERGY STAR products include room air conditioners, clothes washers and dryers, standard-size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters remain exempt from sales tax year-round. To earn the ENERGY STAR certification, products must satisfy strict energy-efficiency criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The initiative, which began in 2011, results in the state forgoing an estimated $800,000 in sales tax revenue each year based on purchases of eligible items during the weekend. The temporary exemption encourages consumers to invest in appliances that deliver ongoing reductions in energy consumption and lower utility costs over the products’ lifetimes.

Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, described the event as mutually beneficial. “Maryland’s Energy Star tax-free weekend is a win for both consumers and retailers. It helps families save money on energy-efficient appliances while encouraging smarter purchases that lower utility bills and reduce energy use over time,” she said.

The tax holiday aligns with broader state efforts to promote energy efficiency and support household affordability. Retailers across Maryland, including big-box stores, appliance specialists, and online sellers, typically participate by stocking eligible ENERGY STAR models and highlighting the promotion.

Marylanders planning purchases during the weekend can verify product eligibility by checking for the ENERGY STAR label or consulting retailer lists. Additional details, including a complete list of qualifying items and answers to common questions, are available through the Comptroller’s Office Frequently Asked Questions resource on the state website.

Shop Maryland Energy Weekend provides a recurring annual opportunity for residents to combine immediate tax savings with long-term reductions in household energy use, particularly relevant amid ongoing pressures on family budgets in Southern Maryland and across the state.

Click here to view the article from the Southern Maryland Chronicle.