A quality HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. Every homeowner deserves the most efficient comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. They can help guarantee high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.

HVAC efficiency standards are going up next year, so now’s an excellent time to compare your options. Different 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

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

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets 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 top brand like Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are eligible. In addition, you can usually bundle federal and local rebates for even more savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner

Obtainable 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 appreciate 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!

Local utility companies also provide programs where they exchange lower rates for the capacity to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. 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 promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted 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 obtainable for a much larger 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 all over 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 especially aimed toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by igniting fuel. To persuade more people to convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.

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