A quality HVAC system is vital for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a major investment. Every homeowner deserves the most productive comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. They can help make sure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.

HVAC efficiency standards are going up next year, so now’s an excellent time to compare your options. Different companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone procure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates for 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 produced. It’s a great way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates as less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also useful for securing a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you might be approved for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient performance.

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 leading brand such as Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are entitled. In addition, you can easily bundle 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 air conditioner

Obtainable Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an especially valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can optimize the daily schedule. Utility companies can benefit from this kind of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates essentially enable you to get a free smart thermostat!

Your utility companies also provide programs where they swap reduced rates for the capacity to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, particularly when heat waves or cold fronts come through. When participating in this program, your thermostat will automatically be corrected by a few degrees.

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

Slightly different from rebates, tax credits are also available 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 new credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed every 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 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 incorporated separate legislation called the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly geared toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by burning fuel. To encourage more people to change to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher than incentives for AC units and furnaces.

If a 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 meeting 80-150% of the typical income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.