I live in California and just installed a Carrier Infinity System furnace, AC and controller. The combination qualified for a $1,000.00 rebate from Carrier (on their website), $350.00 tax credit from the Fed's on next year taxes (your contractor will give you an ARI Certified performance certificate showing the Seer Rating, EER rating, and cooling capacity Btuh)and the contractor gets a credit ($200.00)from the local Edison company which he gave me as an instant rebate. Carrier gave me 6 months same as cash financing.

FAIRY,
Thanks..I think. The summer temp across PA does not varry much. Sorry if my post seams fruitless however next to my house purchase and car this is about the most expensive thing I will buy. I want to make sure I get the best quality unit I can afford.

NCCAMPBELL,
Thanks for the Carrier quote but we decided to go with Trane/AS. Funny, Carrier actually advertises their rebates but I see nothing for Trane and its almosty impossible to find an AS ad.

You always pay for the rebate somewhere if given by the manufacturer. It is difficult to give accurate advice if I don't know where you are located (state) Every state operates different. I usually preface all comments with a reference to Texas. While I am familar with many areas, I am only comfortable with Texas laws. We don't have many rebates here.

If the HVAC is that costly of a purchase, it is probably overpriced. Most of my work is out of pocket. This means the cost can be paid with a simpple check, and not require a major HO loan. I don't install TRANE this year, because this is not true for TRANE. They expect to tripkle the cost instead of reasonable markup.. Afterall, they have to take special TRANE courses to sell the product.

Andre

Manufacturer's incentives to homeowners vary from season to season. Trane and AmStd are sister companies and generally speaking Trane is marketed as better over AS but really they are the same except for the cabinets of Trane's top end XLi line. There is nothing free. Trane usually offers rebates on their top end equipment while AS might offer interest free 12 mth financing, 10 yr ext warranty parts and labor, or a whole house air cleaner cabinet. But depending on dealer and location, Trane products are normally more expensive. I have been told that Trane/AS and the selling dealer share in the cost of these incentives. And of course, not all dealers participate in these rebate/incentives program.

Keep in mind that your local utility might offer a rebate or reduced rate for updating your equipment and then there is the Federal tax credit if your new system qualifies.

IMO

Hello Andre:

You may need to change your terminology a bit. In Connecticut, at least, the manufacturer provides an "incentive"; the utility provides a "rebate"; and the feds provide a "tax incentive." I'd guess there are variations between states.

When I was shopping, both Trane and Lennox were providing "Spring" incentives that expired. I think, on June 15th. The incentives were different with the type of equipment, but ranged from $500 to $1000 and were listed on the respective web sites of each company. The vendor, also provided an "incentive" in the form of 0 percent financing for 60 months.

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund provides a $300 REBATE for a 15.0 SEER system, and a $500 REBATE for a 17+ SEER system. The SEER (system performance) rating is verified by the ARI. Both the energy fund and the ARI have information on their respective web sites. I would think that there is a PA Energy Fund equivalent. It should be listed on your utility's web site.

The TAX INCENTIVE will be realized at the time of income tax filing using a form provided by the IRS.

I had similar questions recently- I called my power company and asked. As far as the tax credits I looked up the information on the IRS website.

Huh?

Anyway, Thanks. I think I got the jist of what I needed to know. I have found a trend among AS offering the warranty and a varying term of interest free finanacing. After googling 'incintive' I got hits for Trane. There 'incintives' appear to be the cost of the extended warranty AS offers...or less. I'll take your experienced word that TRANE lists a bit higher. I am still waiting for my electric company to get back to me on any rebates they may offer. The federal tax incentives are a bit nebulous---I'll figure it out though.

If interested, AS appears to be offering (in PA anyway) a free 10 year maint agreement plus either 6mo (H14) or 12 (H16) interest free financing. for untis installed by 8/31.

I think you are buying at the wrong time. Most times the manufacturers will offer rebates in the spring and fall to try to increase sales a little during the slow time. The summer is a bad time to get a good deal. The utility rebates vary across the country.

I would like to know where you saw a free 10 year maint plan.

Call an AS dealer. In PA it says you receive a 10 year maint agreement ($425 value) for certain installs on/before 8/31. The Heritage 14 and 16 qualify. The H14 can you get you 6 months interest free financing, the 16 gets you 12.

I had my 3rd estimate today...quote will be for a Trane unit w/new freon and matches vs blower. We'll see what the quote is and then will know...will post info for those interested.