A quality HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. Every homeowner deserves the most effective comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. 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 promoting rebates in 2023 to help everyone procure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces include energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat refine how much heating is released. It’s a great way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates because less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also recommended for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to see which rebates you could be eligible for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.

Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner

Many 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 consult your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are eligible. What’s more, you can usually join federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to find out what's all available, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner

Available Rebates for Smart Thermostats

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

Local utility companies also create programs where they exchange lower rates for the capacity to adjust your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps minimize strain on the grid, particularly when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When participating in this program, your thermostat may automatically be corrected by a few degrees.

Additional Cost-Saving Options: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects

Slightly different compared to rebates, tax credits are also available 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 instead of only once. These credits are obtainable for a much greater variety of projects, like home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are tailored to share 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 contained separate legislation referred to 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 combusting fuel. To motivate more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.

If your 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 meeting 80-150% of the median income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.