A quality HVAC system is crucial for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. You deserve the most efficient comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so worthwhile. 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 check out your options. A variety of companies, organizations and even government entities are extending rebates in 2023 to help everyone acquire a new, high-efficiency HVAC system.
Receive a Tax Rebate by Installing a High Efficiency Furnace
Many manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates for a new system. These furnaces feature energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to optimize how much heating is produced. It’s an easy way to decrease 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 securing a furnace rebate. You can type in your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you could be approved for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it meets your region’s standards for energy-efficient operation.
Rebates for Air Conditioning Systems
A lot of 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 like Lennox. Just talk to 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 more savings. Don’t hesitate to learn what's out there, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency AC system
Available Rebates for Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable improvement to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can fine-tune 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 virtually permit you to get a free smart thermostat!
These 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 come through. When registered in this program, your thermostat may automatically be changed by a few degrees.
Other Ways to Save: High Efficiency Products and Home Improvement Credits
A little different compared to rebates, tax credits are also available for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC systems. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated 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 as opposed to only once. These credits are obtainable for a much greater variety of projects, such as 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 across the country.
New Legislation for Heat Pump Rebates
The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act included separate legislation known as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is specially targeted toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of generating it by burning fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher versus incentives for AC systems and furnaces.
If the household’s income is lower than 80% of the local median, you are able to use the rebates to cover 100% of the costs of a new heat pump. Households that meet 80-150% of the median income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.