A well-designed HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. You deserve the most efficient comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. They can help ensure 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 check out your options. Different companies, organizations and even government entities are promoting rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces extend rebates for a new system. These furnaces incorporate energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is produced. It’s a great way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates because less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you may be eligible for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills 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 efficient cooling from a leading brand like Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are entitled. In addition, you can often bundle federal and local rebates for even more savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency cooling system

Obtainable Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an especially valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this level of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates virtually allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

These utility companies also offer programs where they swap discounted rates for the capability to control 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 will automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.

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

Slightly different from rebates, tax credits are also available 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 revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed every year instead of only once. These credits are available 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 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 incorporated separate legislation known 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 generating it by combusting 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 are able to use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households meeting 80-150% of the typical income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.