A dependable HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. You deserve the most productive comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help ensure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.
HVAC efficiency standards are climbing next year, so now’s an ideal time to compare your options. Various 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 offer rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is released. It’s a fantastic way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates since less energy use means 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 might be qualified for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.
Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner
Plenty of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also applicable to air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for equipment from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just talk to your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are suitable. In addition, you can usually combine federal and local rebates for even greater 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 Home Accessories Like Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this kind of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. Over time, these rebates effectively permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
Local utility companies also create programs where they swap lower rates for the capacity to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When enrolled in this program, your thermostat may automatically be corrected by a few degrees.
More Ways to Save: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits
Somewhat different than rebates, tax credits are also available for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted 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 may be claimed each year instead of only once. These credits are eligible for a much wider variety of projects, including home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are tailored 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 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 producing it by burning fuel. To motivate more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher than incentives for AC units 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 that meet 80-150% of the average income can take care of 50% of equipment and installation costs.