A dependable HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. Everyone deserves the most productive comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. 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 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
Many manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates for a new system. These furnaces include energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat fine-tune how much heating is produced. It’s a fantastic way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also offer furnace rebates because less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for securing a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you could be eligible for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.
Rebates for Air Conditioning Systems
A lot of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also applicable to 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 learn which makes and models are eligible. What’s more, you can usually join federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency cooling system
Potential Rebates for Smart Home Accessories Like Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is a particularly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can optimize the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this level of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates essentially enable you to get a free smart thermostat!
Local utility companies also provide programs where they provide reduced rates for the capability to control your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When enrolled in this program, your thermostat may automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.
More Ways to Save: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits
Somewhat different compared to rebates, tax credits are also offered 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 new credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed every year rather than only once. These credits are available for a much wider variety of projects, like 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 nationwide.
New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act contained separate legislation called the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly targeted toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of producing it by igniting fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher than incentives for AC units and furnaces.
If a household’s income is lower than 80% of the local median, you could use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households making 80-150% of the average income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.