A well-designed HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. Every homeowner deserves the most efficient comfort solutions available, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. They can help make sure high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more budget friendly.

HVAC efficiency standards are increasing next year, so now’s an ideal time to explore your options. A variety of 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

Many manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces extend rebates toward the cost of a new system. These furnaces incorporate energy-efficient components such as variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to refine how much heating is generated. It’s an easy way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates since less energy use results in less strain on the local energy grid.

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

Air Conditioner Rebates

Many of the same rebates for high-efficiency furnaces are also useful 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 verify which makes and models are eligible. Additionally, you can easily bundle federal and local rebates for even higher savings. Don’t hesitate to find out what's all available, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner

Obtainable Rebates for Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat is an incredibly valuable addition to your home comfort system. With intelligent programming, you can enhance the daily schedule. Utility companies highly value this level of efficiency, and so most provide rebate programs for new smart thermostats. In time, these rebates effectively allow you to get a free smart thermostat!

Your utility companies also offer programs where they swap lower rates for the capacity to control your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts come through. When participating in this program, your thermostat may automatically be adjusted by a few degrees.

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

Somewhat different from rebates, tax credits are also available for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. 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 instead of only once. These credits are eligible for a much greater variety of projects, like home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are designed 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 referred to as 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 igniting fuel. To encourage more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher than incentives for AC systems and furnaces.

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