Reminder: Tax Free Weekend is THIS Weekend: August 12th & 13th Most items under $2,500 purchased this weekend will be exempt from the 6.25% sales tax, including the appliances that help you electrify your home. See the state website for details on what purchases are eligible.
Stack the Savings – in dollars and in emissions This is a great time to buy appliances, and stack your tax savings with Mass Save rebates, particularly a refrigerator or freezer. If yours is approaching or over 10 years old, it is likely costing you money in electricity and National Grid will pay you to recycle it, and come pick it up, if it still works. This is true of your freezer as well.
Other appliances to consider include:
- Hot water heater: these don’t usually last the normal 10 lifespan in Westford because of hard water, unless you perform annual maintenance.
- Induction Ovens. Eliminate the health and safety hazards of natural gas while reducing your emissions
- Cookware for your induction oven, if you have non-magnetic cookware. Bring any cookware with non-stick coatings to Westford Metals for recycling. It is likely to contain PFAS.
- Electric washers and dryers or try a drying rack.
- Dehumidifiers. An inefficient dehumidifier could be really costing you this summer.
- Small electric engines and tools – go electric, and quiet, with your yard work this fall. Or hire someone who has.
- Pool pumps – these also chew up your electric bill. A good pump will help you reduce your need for chemicals. Switching to saltwater next year will too.
Sustainability Update August 7, 2023 Sustainability Coordinator Sue Thomas, Sthomas@westfordma.gov