A well-designed HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. You deserve the most effective comfort solutions achievable, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help ensure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.

HVAC efficiency standards are increasing next year, so now’s an ideal time to explore 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

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces provide rebates for a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat fine-tune how much heating is produced. It’s an easy way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates because 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 enter your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment with the ENERGY STAR® rating means it satisfies your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.

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 a system from a top brand like Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are suitable. Additionally, you can usually join 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

2023's Rebates for Smart Home Accessories Like Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an especially valuable addition 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 provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates effectively allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

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

Other Ways to Save: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects

A little different than 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 can be claimed every year instead of only once. These credits are eligible for a much wider variety of projects, like home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed to offer 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 included separate legislation called the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is especially aimed toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of producing it by igniting fuel. To encourage more people to convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.

If a household’s income is below 80% of the local median, you can 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.