Starting Friday, shoppers in the Commonwealth will have an opportunity to go green and same some green at the same time.

The state's annual Energy Star sales tax holiday begins Friday and it's expected to stimulate the local economy. Purchases made this weekend have to be less than $2,500 to qualify for the tax savings program.

Some people were doing preview shopping Thursday, but many of those window shoppers are expected to actually make a deal Friday.

Contemplating a major purchase in a tough economy is enough to make some people not go through with the deal, but shoppers might change their minds this weekend because of the sales tax holiday.

Joe Sirco, is the sales manager at the Harrisonburg Lowe's, says it's all about the extra savings.

Sirco says, "The customer is looking for a value right now, and the state and Lowe's are going to offer that value this weekend, so it really should drive a good deal of business into our store for us."

Last week, Gov. Tim Kaine held a kick-off event emphasizing how important it is to go green. This week, people are expected to buy their new appliances before the sale ends.

Included in the tax holiday are washers, refrigerators, ceiling fans and even WaterSense toilets, all of which are efficient enough to keep money from going down the drain.

Valley resident Jake Lohr was doing some preview shopping. His wife was interested in a washer and he's interested in keeping his money. He'd save more in the long run because the washer would be energy efficient.

Lohr says, "A dollar saved is a dollar saved. If you don't have it, don't spend it."

Harrisonburg Mayor Kai Degner says he may make an energy efficient purchase.

"Well, I'm a bachelor, and I have a really old refrigerator. When you're trying to save money in an economy like this, sometimes it takes an investment," says Degner.

The state Department of Taxation says stores could opt to include other items as part of the tax holiday. The store would be responsible for paying the tax on those items.

The sales tax holiday runs through Monday.