A quality HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. You deserve the most productive comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help make sure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.
HVAC efficiency standards are climbing next year, so now’s an ideal time to compare your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.
Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces
Many manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates toward buying a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to refine how much heating is produced. It’s an easy way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates as less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for securing a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.
Air Conditioner Rebates
Plenty of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also useful for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for a system from a leading brand like Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are suitable. In addition, you can usually combine federal and local rebates for even more savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner.
Potential Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an especially valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this kind of efficiency, and so most offer rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates essentially allow you to get a free smart thermostat!
Local utility companies also create programs where they provide reduced rates for the ability to adjust your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When registered in this program, your thermostat will automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.
More Ways to Save: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
A little different from rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted a program in 2021 that supplied credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The new credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed each year instead of only once. These credits are eligible for a much larger variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are tailored to provide the most benefits for lower-income households, maximizing the improvements to HVAC efficiency across the country.
New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act included separate legislation known as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is specially geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of producing it by igniting fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher than incentives for AC units and furnaces.
If your household’s income is below 80% of the local median, you are able to use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households that meet 80-150% of the median income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.