A well-designed HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big 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 budget friendly.
HVAC efficiency standards are climbing next year, so now’s a great time to explore your options. A variety of companies, organizations and even government entities are offering rebates in 2023 to help everyone procure 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 incorporate energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat optimize how much heating is released. It’s a fantastic way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates because less energy use results in less strain on the local energy grid.
The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for securing a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to see which rebates you may be approved for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it satisfies your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.
Air Conditioner Rebates
Many of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also suitable for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for efficient cooling from a top brand such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are entitled. Additionally, you can usually combine federal and local rebates for even more savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner
Obtainable Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can optimize the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this kind of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates effectively permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
Local utility companies also create programs where they swap discounted rates for the capacity to adjust your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid 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.
Additional Ways to Save: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects
Slightly different from rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that provided credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The updated credits are now worth 30% of the cost and may be claimed every year instead of 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 share 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 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 creating it by combusting fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher than incentives for AC systems 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 meeting 80-150% of the typical income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.