Utility Rebates O&R – What Do They Mean for You?

Clarkstown HVAC review scores as of 1/20/23
Purchasing new home heating equipment is an investment. You might be worried about the cost, and wonder if it’s even worth it to install new equipment, even if yours doesn’t seem to be operating as efficiently as it used to. If you’re an O&R customer, there’s good news. There are several rebate programs available that can help you save on new equipment now – equipment that will also save you in energy costs in the long run as well.
O&R is currently offering the Energy-Efficient Gas Heating Rebate. Qualifying equipment must be a natural gas system and must be installed on a New York residential O&R gas account. Equipment considered includes: furnaces; hot water boilers; steam boilers; boiler reset controls; indirect hot water heaters; thermostats; and duct sealing. Below we’ll talk a bit about the specific requirements for each, per the O&R website.
Furnaces: New forced-air systems must meet a minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, or AFUE, of 90. (That means that 90 percent of the fuel use works to heat the home, and only 10 percent is lost.) The higher the furnace’s AFUE, the greater the rebate allowed.
Hot Water Boilers: New hot water boilers must meet a minimum AFUE level of 85.
Steam Boilers: New steam boilers must meet a minimum AFUE level of 82.
Boiler Reset Control: This equipment allows hot water heaters to adjust the heating system’s temperature based on outdoor temperatures, which helps maximize boiler efficiency.
Indirect Hot Water Heaters: These are the only hot water heaters that qualify for a rebate.
Thermostats: Thermostats must be ENERGY STAR rated and mist be purchased in conjunction with a new system.
Duct Sealing: A BPI-certified contractor must perform duct sealing on the distribution system of a forced-hot-air gas furnace. The rebate does not cover duct system replacement or new ductwork.
To show you an example of the amount of money you could save through O&R, here’s a hypothetical system installation:
- 90 AFUE Water Boiler – $700
- Boiler Reset Control – $70
- Indirect Water Heater – $210
- Two Thermostats – $36
- Duct Sealing – $420
- Total Savings – $1436
Depending on the type of equipment, this total will vary, but as you can see substantial savings are available. To see the entire listing of savings and learn more about the O&R rebate program, visit them online.
In order to make the most of these savings, you’ll want to work with an expert installer who understands utility rebates and will work hard to help you make the most of the rebates available. To learn more about these programs and about how Clarkstown Heating & Air can help you, call us today at (845) 620-1000.