A quality HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a big investment. Every homeowner deserves the most efficient 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 increasing next year, so now’s a great time to compare your options. Various companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.

Furnace Rebates Require High Efficiency Models

Numerous manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces extend rebates for a new system. These furnaces include energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which enable the thermostat to fine-tune how much heating is produced. It’s a fantastic way to lower energy use overall. Local utilities also share furnace rebates since less energy use translates to less strain on the local energy grid.

The government’s ENERGY STAR® program is also helpful for obtaining a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to learn which rebates you could be qualified for. Equipment featuring the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient performance.

Earning a Rebate for a High Efficiency Air Conditioner

Plenty of of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also suitable for air conditioners. You can save hundreds on new installation for equipment from a top brand like Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are suitable. What’s more, you can easily join federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to find out what's all available, 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 a particularly valuable upgrade to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this degree of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. After some time, these rebates virtually allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

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

Other Cost-Saving Options: Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Equipment and Home Improvement Projects

A little different than rebates, tax credits are also offered for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that offered credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and may be claimed each year as opposed to only once. These credits are eligible for a much larger variety of projects, like home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are fashioned to offer the most benefits for lower-income households, maximizing the improvements to HVAC efficiency all over 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 especially aimed toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by igniting fuel. To motivate more people to convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are substantially higher than incentives for AC units and furnaces.

If a household’s income is less 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 cover 50% of equipment and installation costs.