A quality HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. Every homeowner deserves the most efficient comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. They can help guarantee high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are increasing next year, so now’s a great time to check out 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
Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat refine how much heating is released. It’s an easy way to decrease 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 useful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to see which rebates you may be eligible for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills 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 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 learn which makes and models are suitable. What’s more, you can often join federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency cooling system
2023's Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable addition to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can optimize the daily schedule. Utility companies appreciate this degree of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. Over 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 capacity 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 participating in this program, your thermostat may automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.
Additional Incentives: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits
Somewhat different from rebates, tax credits are also promoted 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 revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and may be claimed every year as opposed to only once. These credits are available for a much greater variety of projects, including home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed to offer 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 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 persuade more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher versus incentives for AC systems and furnaces.
If your household’s income is less than 80% of the local median, you can use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households meeting 80-150% of the median income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.