It’s that time of the year! Gear up for back to school shopping, stock up on emergency preparedness supplies, and purchase those green energy products you’ve been waiting for during this year’s Virginia sales tax holiday.

From August 7-9, you can purchase qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star and WaterSense products without paying sales tax. So, which items should you purchase to keep you and your home safe this fall?

Energy Star and WaterSense certified products

Energy Star and WaterSense certified products worth less than $2,500 qualify as tax-free purchases during the Virginia sales tax holiday. You can help the environment and save money on your water and energy bills by switching to these energy-efficient appliances. According to energystar.gov, certified energy-efficient homes are 10% more efficient than those built to code. WaterSense certified products boast similar results, with the average household saving 13,000 gallons of water per year by switching to water-efficient toilets. By switching to Energy Star and WaterSense products, you can save the environment and keep more money in your pocket each year.

Hurricane and emergency preparedness products

Disaster preparedness is a lifesaving measure you need to take to keep your home and family safe. This sales tax holiday is the perfect time for you to build your disaster supplies kit and invest in the items you may need to protect your home. Qualified purchases include portable generators, which can power your home in case of an outage, and gas-powered chainsaws, which you can use to cut down trees and limbs that come too close to your home. In addition to these larger items, you can also make tax free purchases on specified hurricane preparedness products, such as a weather radio, flashlight, and first aid kit.

Please visit the state of Virginia website for a complete list of qualifying purchases for the Virginia sales tax holiday. Rockingham Insurance is here to help you protect your home from disaster. Contact a local Rockingham Insurance agent to find out more about how you can keep your home safe.