A well-designed HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. You deserve the most productive comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. They can help make sure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.
HVAC efficiency standards are going up next year, so now’s an excellent time to compare your options. Different companies, organizations and even government entities are promoting rebates in 2023 to help everyone acquire a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.
Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces
Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces extend rebates for a new system. These furnaces include energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is produced. It’s an easy way to decrease 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 recommended for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to see which rebates you may be eligible for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient performance.
Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
Many of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also applicable to air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for efficient cooling from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are entitled. What’s more, you can often combine federal and local rebates for even more 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 incredibly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this degree of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates effectively permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
Your utility companies also create programs where they swap discounted rates for the ability to control your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When registered in this program, your thermostat can automatically be changed by a few degrees.
More Cost-Saving Options: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
Slightly different from rebates, tax credits are also available for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that offered 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 rather than only once. These credits are available for a much larger variety of projects, including home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed to provide the most benefits for lower-income households, maximizing the improvements to HVAC efficiency across the country.
New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act incorporated separate legislation known 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 encourage more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher compared to 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 making 80-150% of the average income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.
