Starting August 2025, Florida residents will no longer pay sales tax on key disaster preparedness essentials year-round. Thanks to House Bill 7031, what used to be occasional tax holidays are now permanent exemptions on items like:
- Batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt)
- Portable generators (up to 10,000 running watts)
- Waterproof tarps (1,000 sq ft or less)
- Portable gas cans (5-gallon max)
- Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers (portable & UL-listed)
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Insect repellent, sunscreen, life jackets, and more
Why This Matters for Your Home (and Wallet)
Florida’s new law is a welcome boost for household safety and for your budget. Preparing for storms just got easier. Gear like generators and CO detectors are now more accessible, so you’re not compromising on readiness due to cost.
How Blue Collar Home Services Can Help
Your storm prep shouldn’t stop at supplies. Blue Collar Home Services is here to protect your home’s comfort, safety, and systems with hassle-free HVAC and electrical services tailored for hurricane season:
- Whole-home surge protection to safeguard costly electronics when the power returns during a storm.
- Generator evaluation & maintenance to ensure your backup power is reliable when you need it most.
- Portable Generator Hookups
- Rapid panel upgrades and electrical inspections for safe operation during power surges or load shifts.
Steps You Can Take To Prepare Your Home
- Elevate Appliances: Raise electrical appliances above potential flood levels to avoid water damage. We can help you assess and elevate your HVAC units and other critical appliances.
- Schedule HVAC Maintenance: Have your HVAC system inspected and serviced before hurricane season to ensure optimal performance.
- Replace Air Filters: Install new air filters to keep your HVAC system running efficiently during increased usage.
- Seal Ductwork: Ensure your ductwork is sealed and insulated to prevent moisture intrusion and maintain air quality.
- Install Programmable Thermostat: Use a programmable thermostat to manage indoor temperatures and conserve energy during power fluctuations.
Whether you’re stocking up or need a storm-ready safety check, we’ve got your back. Learn more about these services here and explore our full list of offerings to keep your home safe and secure.
Bottom Line
With tax-free hurricane gear now available year-round, there’s no better time to get prepared and to protect what you’ve invested in. Stock up on essentials and let Blue Collar Home Services fortify your home’s safety, comfort, and storm-resilience.
Our long standing reputation and responsibility to each and every customer that we will treat your home as our own is what makes us the top choice for electric in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Our certified, licensed electricians are hand picked for their expertise, workmanship and communication skills.
Backed by impeccable reviews across the internet and thousands of happy customers, we believe in first-class customer service. Our licensed, insured, and background-checked technicians promise to be on time, guarantee their work, and leave your home tidy and clean.