A well-designed 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 possible, which is why HVAC rebates are so important. They can help guarantee high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners and other equipment is more affordable.

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

Rebates for High-Efficiency Furnaces

Lots of manufacturers of high-efficiency furnaces offer rebates for a new system. These furnaces incorporate energy-efficient components like variable-speed blower motors, which let the thermostat optimize how much heating is released. It’s a great way to reduce energy use overall. Local utilities also provide 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 submit your ZIP Code to find out which rebates you may be eligible for. Equipment displaying the ENERGY STAR® rating means it fulfills your region’s standards for energy-efficient comfort.

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 efficient cooling from a leading brand such as Lennox. Just consult your local utility companies to learn which makes and models are eligible. What’s more, you can often combine federal and local rebates for even greater savings. Don’t hesitate to find out what's all available, because it can easily add up to 10% of a new, high-efficiency AC system

Potential Rebates for Smart Thermostats

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

Local utility companies also offer programs where they exchange reduced rates for the capability to access your thermostat during peak energy use. This helps reduce strain on the grid, namely when heat waves or cold fronts arrive. When enrolled in this program, your thermostat can automatically be changed by a few degrees.

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

Somewhat 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 restarted a program in 2021 that supplied credits for up to 10% of the project’s cost. The revised credits are now worth 30% of the cost and may be claimed every year as opposed to only once. These credits are available for a much greater variety of projects, such as home energy audits, electrical, insulation, ventilation, and even your doors and windows! The programs are tailored to share 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 known as the High-Efficiency Electric Homes and Rebates Act, or HEEHRA. This incentive is particularly targeted toward heat pump technology, which transfers heat instead of creating it by burning fuel. To persuade more people to transition to this energy-efficient comfort system, these rebates are considerably higher versus incentives for AC units and furnaces.

If a household’s income is lower than 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 average income can pay for 50% of equipment and installation costs.