Time is running out on one of the most generous homeowner incentives in recent memory. With the passing of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” federal tax credits for replacing aging HVAC systems vanish January 1, 2026. That leaves just a narrow window for homeowners still debating whether to patch up their current system or finally spring for a replacement.
Right now, the payoff is significant. Through the end of this year, new installations can still capture about $5,500 in combined rebates and credits—thanks to federal programs, local utilities such as ComEd and Nicor Gas, and manufacturer discounts. That’s before factoring in the quieter operation and lower monthly bills today’s high-efficiency units deliver.
“If your equipment is toward the end of its life, without a doubt, replace it before the end of the year,” says Brandon Delfino, co-owner of Cahill Heating, Cooling, Electric, Plumbing & Sewer in Lake Bluff. “The federal tax credits are gone January 1st, but installations completed prior to that date still qualify.”
Most systems limp along for 15 to 20 years before costly repairs kick in. Delfino’s advice? Don’t ignore the math. Even though “everything is repairable,” he says, it may no longer make sense to fix an old unit when rebates, incentives and lower energy bills can make a new system the smarter buy.
The technology itself has leapt forward. Unlike the clunky single-speed units of the past, today’s multi-stage and variable systems adjust to deliver exactly what your home needs—no more, no less. The result: greater efficiency, better humidity control and an almost whisper-quiet hum in place of the old furnace roar.
“As you go up the line and become more efficient, the rebates and incentives get higher,” Delfino explains. “We design systems that maximize those incentives so customers can end up with top-of-the-line equipment for less than the bargain stuff.”
For North Shore homeowners, the choice is clear: wait too long, and the incentives disappear. Act before the deadline, and you cut long-term costs while upgrading to comfort that feels, and sounds, entirely modern.
Cahill Heating, Cooling, Electric, Plumbing & Sewer has been serving the area for nearly 50 years, now led by Delfino alongside founder Dennis Cahill, who still comes to work each day. With offices in Lake Bluff and Palatine, the company has built its reputation on relationships—more than 5,000 customers rely on them for both repairs and replacements.
Cahill Heating, Cooling, Electric, Plumbing & Sewer
Lake Bluff & Palatine | 847.276.2100 | cahillheating.com | @cahillhvac