A quality HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. You deserve the most productive comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. 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 ideal time to check out your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are offering rebates in 2023 to help everyone acquire a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Many manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces extend rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat optimize how much heating is produced. It’s an easy way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates because less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to see which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient performance.

Air Conditioner Rebates

A lot of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also useful for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for equipment from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are entitled. Additionally, you can often bundle federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency AC system

Potential Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this level of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. Over time, these rebates essentially enable you to get a free smart thermostat!

Your utility companies also provide programs where they exchange lower rates for the capacity to control your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts come through. When participating in this program, your thermostat may automatically be corrected by a few degrees.

Other Ways to Save: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects

Somewhat different compared to rebates, tax credits are also offered 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 may be claimed every year instead of only once. These credits are available 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 offer 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 referred to as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is specially aimed toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by burning fuel. To persuade more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher than incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

If your household’s income is lower than 80% of the local median, you can use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households that meet 80-150% of the median income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.