Save energy,

save money

Georgia's tax-free holiday for school clothes and supplies, usually held in August, has become widely known because of parents searching for back-to-school bargains. But another, lesser-known tax-free holiday is under way this weekend, this time for consumers buying energy-efficient products such as air conditioners, light bulbs, windows and refrigerators priced below $1,500.

This year, the tax break will also include water-saving products such as toilets, faucets and faucet accessories.

Water is increasingly a major issue in our state because of the vast amounts of water used in the Atlanta area and the claims of other states on water from Georgia's rivers. Tift County and the surrounding area is currently classified as being in a mild drought by state climatologist David Stooksbury because of an extremely dry September, but water conservation is clearly becoming a long-term issue for Georgians even when there is no drought.

Water and energy conservation can also add up to big savings for consumers. Toilets with the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense label use 20 percent less water than the current federal standard for toilets and WaterSense faucets and accessories reduce water flow by 30 percent. (And if you live within the Tifton city limits, your water bill may be about to go up because of water rate equalization plans.)

Refrigerators with an ENERGY STAR rating can save up to $60 a year as compared to a refrigerator made before 1993, according to the EPA. Replacing standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones can also save money, since fluorescent bulbs use 68 percent less energy and last 10 times longer.

The tax holiday began Thursday and will run through midnight Sunday. This may be a good time to rethink your household's energy use.