A well-designed HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. Every homeowner deserves 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 climbing 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

Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is produced. It’s a great way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates since less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for acquiring a furnace rebate. You can enter your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you might be qualified for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.

Air Conditioner Rebates

Plenty 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 such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are eligible. What’s more, you can usually join federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency AC system

Available Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is a particularly valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this level of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates effectively allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

Local utility companies also offer programs where they exchange reduced rates for the ability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps minimize strain on the grid, particularly when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When enrolled in this program, your thermostat may automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.

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

A little different than rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that supplied credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The updated 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 wider variety of projects, like home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed to provide 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 contained separate legislation referred to as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is specially 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 substantially higher than incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

If a 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.