A well-designed HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. Every homeowner deserves the most productive comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. 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 compare your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are offering rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Furnace Rebates Require High Efficiency Models

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates for a new system. These furnaces include energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to refine how much heating is released. It’s a great way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates because less energy use results in 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 see which rebates you may be eligible for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.

Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner

A lot of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also useful for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for equipment from a top brand like Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are eligible. Additionally, you can often 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 AC system

Available Rebates for Smart Home Accessories Like Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable addition to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies appreciate this level of efficiency, and so most offer rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates essentially allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

Your utility companies also provide programs where they provide discounted rates for the capacity to control your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts come through. When registered in this program, your thermostat can automatically be changed by a few degrees.

More Ways to Save: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits

Slightly 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 revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and may be claimed each year rather than only once. These credits are obtainable 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 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 included separate legislation called the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly aimed toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by combusting fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher compared to incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

If a household’s income is less than 80% of the local median, you could use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households meeting 80-150% of the average income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.