A dependable HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. Everyone deserves the most effective comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. They can help ensure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.
HVAC efficiency standards are increasing next year, so now’s an excellent time to compare your options. A variety of companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone acquire 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 enable the thermostat to optimize how much heating is released. It’s a great way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates as less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.
Air Conditioner Rebates
Many of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also applicable to air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for a system from a top brand such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are suitable. What’s more, you can easily join federal and local rebates for even higher 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.
Available Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this degree of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates essentially permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
Your utility companies also create programs where they provide reduced rates for the capacity to control your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid 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
Slightly different compared to rebates, tax credits are also available for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted a program in 2021 that provided credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The revised 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 wider variety of projects, like home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are fashioned 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 contained separate legislation referred to as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by burning fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.
If your household’s income is less than 80% of the local median, you are able to use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households meeting 80-150% of the median income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.