A well-designed HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. You deserve the most productive comfort solutions possible, 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 going up next year, so now’s an ideal time to compare your options. Various 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
Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates toward buying a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is released. It’s a great way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates as less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you could be qualified for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.
Air Conditioner Rebates
Many of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also useful for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for efficient cooling from a top brand like Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are eligible. In addition, you can easily combine federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner.
Available Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an especially valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies appreciate this kind of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates effectively permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
These utility companies also create programs where they swap reduced rates for the ability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When participating in this program, your thermostat can automatically be corrected by a few degrees.
Additional Ways to Save: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
Somewhat different from 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 offered 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 as opposed to only once. These credits are eligible for a much larger variety of projects, including 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 all over the country.
New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act contained separate legislation referred to as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is especially targeted toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by combusting fuel. To persuade more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.
If your household’s income is below 80% of the local median, you could use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households that meet 80-150% of the median income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.