A quality HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. You deserve the most efficient comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. 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 excellent time to explore your options. A variety of companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces incorporate energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat refine how much heating is released. It’s a fantastic way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates since less energy use results in 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 qualified 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

Many of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also applicable to air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for efficient cooling from a leading brand like Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are entitled. What’s more, you can often combine federal and local rebates for even more 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

2023's Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is a particularly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies appreciate this kind of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates virtually enable you to get a free smart thermostat!

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

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

A little different compared to rebates, tax credits are also available for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that supplied credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed each year as opposed to only once. These credits are eligible for a much larger variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are fashioned to provide 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 especially geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by burning 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 could use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households making 80-150% of the typical income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.