A quality HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. You deserve the most effective comfort solutions achievable, 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 going up next year, so now’s a great time to compare your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone procure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Many manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates for a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to refine how much heating is released. It’s an easy way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates because less energy use results in less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for securing a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you might be qualified for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.

Rebates for Air Conditioning Systems

A lot of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also applicable to air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for efficient cooling from a leading brand like Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are suitable. Additionally, you can easily combine federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, 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 incredibly valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies can benefit from this kind of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates virtually permit you to get a free smart thermostat!

Local utility companies also offer programs where they exchange lower rates for the capability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps minimize strain on the grid, particularly when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When registered in this program, your thermostat can automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.

More Incentives: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits

Slightly different compared to rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that offered credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The updated credits are now worth 30% of the cost and may be claimed each year as opposed to only once. These credits are eligible for a much larger variety of projects, including home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed to provide the most benefits for lower-income households, maximizing the improvements to HVAC efficiency all over the country.

New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act incorporated separate legislation referred to as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is especially aimed toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by combusting fuel. To persuade more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher versus incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

If a household’s income is less than 80% of the local median, you can use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households meeting 80-150% of the average income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.