Save on appliance sales tax with weekend purchase

The second annual Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday will take place in North Carolina Friday through Sunday. During that time, purchases of Energy Star-rated appliances -- from refrigerators to thermostats -- are tax-free.

Many retailers plan sales to coincide with the tax break, said Fran Preston, president of the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.

The tax break applies to washers, freezers, refrigerators, central air conditioning systems and room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats.