A well-designed HVAC system is essential for a comfortable and energy-efficient home, but it’s also a significant investment. Everyone deserves the most productive comfort solutions possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. 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 an ideal time to check out your options. Different companies, organizations and even government entities are promoting rebates in 2023 to help everyone secure 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 feature energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which allow the thermostat to optimize how much heating is produced. It’s a fantastic way to decrease energy use overall. Local utilities also provide furnace rebates as less energy use means 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 find out which rebates you could be approved for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it satisfies 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 equipment from a top brand such as Lennox. Just check with your local utility companies to verify which makes and models are entitled. Additionally, you can often join federal and local rebates for even more savings. Don’t hesitate to find out what's all available, because it can quickly add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency air conditioner

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 highly value this degree of efficiency, and so most extend rebate programs for new smart thermostats. Over time, these rebates essentially permit you to get a free smart thermostat!

Local utility companies also provide programs where they swap reduced rates for the capability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps avoid strain on the grid, particularly when heat waves or cold fronts come through. When registered in this program, your thermostat can 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 offered for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient HVAC equipment. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act reactivated a program in 2021 that supplied credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The updated credits are now worth 30% of the cost and can be claimed every year rather than only once. These credits are available for a much larger variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are tailored 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 contained 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 combusting fuel. To motivate more people to convert to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are significantly higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.

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