A dependable HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. You deserve the most efficient comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. They can help ensure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are climbing next year, so now’s an ideal time to explore your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are offering rebates in 2023 to help everyone procure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.
Furnace Rebates Require High Efficiency Models
Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates toward buying a new system. These furnaces incorporate energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat refine how much heating is generated. It’s an easy way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates because less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for securing a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you could be approved for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it satisfies your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.
Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
A lot 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 top brand like Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are eligible. Additionally, you can easily combine 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
2023's Rebates for Smart Home Accessories Like Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an especially valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune 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 permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
Your utility companies also create programs where they exchange lower rates for the ability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps minimize strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When registered in this program, your thermostat may automatically be changed by a few degrees.
More Incentives: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits
Somewhat different than rebates, tax credits are also offered for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted 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 can be claimed every year instead of only once. These credits are eligible for a much larger variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are fashioned to share the most benefits for lower-income households, maximizing the improvements to HVAC efficiency all over 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 particularly geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of producing it by combusting fuel. To persuade more people to convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher than 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 cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.