A well-designed HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. Every homeowner deserves the most productive comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. 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 compare your options. Different 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

Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates toward the cost of 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 offer furnace rebates as less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to see which rebates you could be qualified 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 top brand like Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are entitled. In addition, you can easily 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

Available Rebates for Smart Home Accessories Like Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is a particularly valuable addition 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 virtually allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

Your utility companies also provide programs where they swap lower rates for the capability to adjust 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 can automatically be changed by a few degrees.

Additional 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 equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted a program in 2021 that provided credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The new credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed each year as opposed to only once. These credits are obtainable for a much larger variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed 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 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 convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher than incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

If your household’s income is lower than 80% of the local median, you can use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households making 80-150% of the median income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.