A well-designed HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. Everyone deserves the most efficient comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help ensure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are increasing next year, so now’s an ideal time to check out your options. A variety of companies, organizations and even government entities are promoting rebates in 2023 to help everyone procure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.
Furnace Rebates Require High Efficiency Models
Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces extend rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat optimize how much heating is released. It’s an easy way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates as less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also recommended for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you may be approved for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.
Rebates for Air Conditioning Systems
Plenty of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also useful for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for a system from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are eligible. Additionally, you can easily bundle federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner
Available Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is a particularly valuable addition 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 offer 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 discounted rates for the capability to adjust your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, particularly when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When participating in this program, your thermostat may automatically be corrected by a few degrees.
More Cost-Saving Options: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
A little 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 supplied 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 greater variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are fashioned to offer 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 called the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is specially targeted toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by igniting fuel. To motivate more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher compared to incentives for AC units and furnaces.
If the 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 that meet 80-150% of the median income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.
