A quality HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. Everyone deserves the most productive comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help make sure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are increasing next year, so now’s an excellent time to explore your options. A variety of companies, organizations and even government entities are promoting rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.
Furnace Rebates Require High Efficiency Models
Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates for 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 generated. It’s a fantastic way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates because 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 submit your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you could be eligible for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.
Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
Plenty of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also suitable for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for equipment from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are entitled. What’s more, you can easily join federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner
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 offer rebate programs for new smart thermostats. Over time, these rebates effectively allow you to get a free smart thermostat!
Your utility companies also provide programs where they exchange lower rates for the capability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When registered in this program, your thermostat may automatically be corrected by a few degrees.
Other Cost-Saving Options: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
Slightly 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 restarted a program in 2021 that provided credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The new credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed every year rather than only once. These credits are eligible 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 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 included separate legislation referred to as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly targeted toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by combusting fuel. To encourage more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher than incentives for AC systems and furnaces.
If a household’s income is below 80% of the local median, you can use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households making 80-150% of the typical income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.
