A dependable HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. You deserve the most efficient 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 affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are going up next year, so now’s a great time to explore your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are offering rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure 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 like variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to refine how much heating is produced. It’s a great way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates since less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.
Air Conditioner Rebates
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 a system from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are eligible. Additionally, you can easily bundle federal and local rebates for even more savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency AC system
Available Rebates for 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 highly value this kind of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. Over time, these rebates effectively enable you to get a free smart thermostat!
Local utility companies also create programs where they swap lower rates for the capability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps minimize strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When registered in this program, your thermostat can automatically be changed by a few degrees.
Additional Ways to Save: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
Slightly different compared to rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted 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 can be claimed each 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 tailored 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 especially geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by combusting fuel. To motivate more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher versus incentives for AC systems and furnaces.
If the household’s income is below 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 average income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.