A dependable HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. Everyone deserves the most efficient 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 going up next year, so now’s an ideal 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

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates for a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat refine how much heating is produced. It’s a fantastic way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates as less energy use results in less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it satisfies your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.

Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner

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 equipment from a top brand such as Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are entitled. In addition, you can usually combine federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency AC system

2023's Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an especially valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can optimize the daily schedule. Utility companies can benefit from this kind of efficiency, and so most offer rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates effectively allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

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

More Incentives: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits

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

New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates

The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act incorporated separate legislation called the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of producing it by igniting fuel. To motivate more people to convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.

If the 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 making 80-150% of the median income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.