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 productive comfort solutions available, 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 increasing next year, so now’s an ideal time to compare your options. Various 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
Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is released. It’s a great way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates since less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you could be approved for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient performance.
Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
Many 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 verify which makes and models are entitled. What’s more, you can easily 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 AC system
2023's Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is a particularly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies can benefit from this kind of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates essentially permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
Your utility companies also offer programs where they provide reduced rates for the ability to adjust your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When enrolled in this program, your thermostat will automatically be changed by a few degrees.
Additional Cost-Saving Options: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
A little different from rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that provided 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 larger variety of projects, such as 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 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 burning fuel. To motivate more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher than incentives for AC systems and furnaces.
If the 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 that meet 80-150% of the typical income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.