A well-designed HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. Everyone deserves the most efficient comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help guarantee high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are climbing next year, so now’s a great time to explore 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 offer rebates toward buying a new system. These furnaces include energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to optimize how much heating is produced. It’s a fantastic 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 helpful for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you could be approved for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient performance.
Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
Plenty 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 leading brand such as Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are entitled. Additionally, you can usually join federal and local rebates for even more 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
Potential Rebates for Smart Home Accessories Like 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 highly value this degree of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates virtually enable you to get a free smart thermostat!
Local utility companies also offer programs where they exchange reduced rates for the ability to adjust your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts come through. When registered in this program, your thermostat can automatically be corrected by a few degrees.
More Incentives: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits
A little 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 reactivated a program in 2021 that supplied credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The new 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, including 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 nationwide.
New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act contained separate legislation known as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is especially geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by burning fuel. To persuade more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher compared to incentives for AC units and furnaces.
If your household’s income is less 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 average income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.