A well-designed HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. Everyone deserves the most productive comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so beneficial. They can help guarantee high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.

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 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 such as variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to optimize how much heating is released. It’s a great way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates because less energy use means less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also recommended for securing a furnace rebate. You can submit your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you might be eligible for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills 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 a system from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to find out which makes and models are eligible. In addition, you can usually combine federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to see what all you can find, 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 an incredibly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune the daily schedule. Utility companies can benefit from this degree of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates effectively enable you to get a free smart thermostat!

Your utility companies also create programs where they provide discounted rates for the ability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, especially when heat waves or cold fronts show up. When enrolled in this program, your thermostat can automatically be changed by a few degrees.

Additional Incentives: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits

A little different from rebates, tax credits are also promoted for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act restarted a program in 2021 that provided credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed every year instead of only once. These credits are available for a much greater variety of projects, including 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 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 geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by burning fuel. To persuade more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher compared to incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

If the household’s income is below 80% of the local median, you can use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households that meet 80-150% of the median income can cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.