Bill McEwen is getting excited about his first Energy Star Sales Tax holiday Oct. 1-4.

The holiday, now in its fifth year, encourages residents to “go green” by not charging sales tax on energy- and water-efficient appliances and products.

McEwen is manager of the Sears Home Appliance Showroom at the corner of Peachtree Parkway and Mathis Airport Road. The business did not open until after the holiday last fall. This year, he and his staff are ready.

“That weekend sort of worked out well for us because we’re doing our friends and family promotion along with that,” he said. “We have 20 percent off on all our Kenmore appliances and 10 percent off on all the other appliances.

“That Sunday, we have our friends and family and ... they’ll get an additional 10 percent off and then save the 7 percent on top of that. So you’re looking around a 35 percent savings on Kenmore, so that’s a deal.”

From washers and dryers to ceiling fans and light bulbs, all products up to $1,500 marked with the Energy Star logo will be tax free next weekend.

The same goes for water-efficient products carrying the Water Sense logo.

Home Depot is no stranger to the sales tax holiday. Every year, there is “increased traffic in stores,” said Craig Fishel, spokesman.

“There’s really been a focus in the last few years on ways for people to save money, and we’re happy to be able to give them those kinds of options,” he said.

Home Depot carries a variety of energy-saving appliances, including programmable thermostats, which Fishel said often are overlooked. They are “a great way to save money on energy overall.”

“It runs the gamut in price ranges and they allow you to be able to program your temperature to where it’s warmer during the day and cooler at night,” he said.

The sales tax holiday also includes water-saving supplies, ranging from low-flush toilets to faucets.

“There are both your low-flow faucets and your low-flow shower heads that are a great way to be able to save money,” he said. “Those will save you a lot of water over the long run.

“If you have a faucet that you don’t want to replace, but you want to find ways to use less water, there are attachments that go on those as well.”

Fishel said the store typically runs special sales on appliances to coincide with the tax holiday, as well as stocking the store with products that meet customer needs.

“People are more conscious of the environment and in addition, particularly with the economy right now, people are looking for any way they can to save money, and these products will help them do that,” he said.

McEwen said Sears’ most popular energy-efficient appliance are front-loading washing machines.

“It’s sort of the main thing that can really save you money,” he said. “Really a huge money saver is the move to high efficiency laundry appliances.”

About 30 to 40 percent of the store’s merchandise is energy efficient, McEwen said. Though there are no sales numbers to compare to from last year, he said he is “just hoping for a great weekend.”

“I think people are energy conscious ... and they want to save money. That’s what it’s all about.”