Massachusetts is consistently ranked as one of the most energy-efficient states in the U.S., according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. That’s no coincidence. In a state known for its forward-thinking approach to energy, homeowners are turning to one resource that makes saving on energy bills both easy and accessible: Mass Save®.
But what is the Mass Save, and why are so many people embracing it? The Mass Save offers no-cost home energy assessments, which can allow eligible homeowners to access incredible incentives such as heat pump rebates and access to zero-interest financing through the HEAT Loan. These aren’t just surface-level benefits; they can transform how your home consumes energy and how much you pay for it.
Whether you’re thinking of upgrading your heating system or improving your home’s insulation, these upgrades make sense financially and environmentally. In this guide, you’ll learn what the Mass Save Program is, how to take full advantage of its offerings, and how much you could save.
What is the Mass Save Program?
Mass Save® is an energy-saving initiative designed to help residents of Massachusetts lower their energy consumption and costs. Established through a collaboration of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and program sponsors, including Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty, National Grid, and Unitil, its main goal is to improve energy efficiency across homes and businesses statewide.
Mass Save offers a wide variety of services and incentives, such as:
- No-cost home energy assessments
- 75-100% off insulation & air sealing
- Rebates for heat pump systems
- Discounts on energy-efficient appliances
One of the standout features of the program is its focus on making energy efficiency accessible to everyone. Through partnerships with local utility companies, Mass Save ensures that residents not only save on their energy bills but also help reduce the state’s overall carbon footprint.
The initiative provides tools and resources to help homeowners:
- Upgrade outdated systems
- Install energy-efficient appliances
- Improve home insulation
Benefits of the Mass Save Program
The Mass Save Program offers an impressive range of incentives for homeowners. First and foremost, the program incentives provide solutions that can help homeowners save on energy bills while also reducing carbon emissions.
When you upgrade your home’s heating, cooling, or insulation systems, you immediately reduce your energy consumption, which leads to lower monthly expenses.
For example, by replacing outdated heating systems with energy-efficient heat pumps, some homeowners can see up to 50% savings on their annual energy usage.
Another key program incentive is potential access to heat pump rebates, which make these upgrades more affordable. Mass Save offers energy rebates on a wide range of equipment, including:
- Heat Pump HVAC Systems
- Heat Pump Water Heaters
- Select household appliances
For insulation upgrades, the program may cover 75-100% of the cost, which can lead to substantial savings, especially in older homes that might need significant improvements. These rebates and incentives are designed to make energy efficiency upgrades more accessible and reduce the financial barrier that many homeowners face.
Beyond financial savings, the Mass Save Program plays a significant role in protecting the environment. By upgrading to more energy-efficient systems, you’re reducing your home’s overall energy consumption, which in turn lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
This shift toward sustainable living not only benefits individual homeowners but also contributes to Massachusetts’ broader environmental goals. Energy-efficient homes help reduce the demand for fossil fuels and decrease the overall energy load on the grid.
Lastly, the Mass Save promotes long-term cost savings. While there may be an initial investment in energy-efficient upgrades, the savings you experience over time may more than make up for it. For example, installing a heat pump or adding proper insulation can result in lower annual heating and cooling costs for years to come.
These upgrades also enhance your home’s value, making it more appealing to potential buyers should you decide to sell.
Who is Eligible for the Mass Save Program?
Mass Save eligibility is straightforward, which makes the program accessible to a wide range of Massachusetts residents. Homeowners who receive electricity or natural gas services from participating utility companies in the state are eligible to participate.
As long as the property meets the basic requirements for energy assessments and upgrades, the program is available to:
- Homeowners
- Renters
- Landlords
Some customers may qualify for the Income Eligible Program or Enhanced Incentives based on income. To learn more about the Income Eligible Program or the Enhanced Residential Offers, please visit Mass Save’s website.
Homeowners with older homes are especially encouraged to take part in the program, as these properties often have:
- Less efficient insulation
- Outdated heating systems
- Older appliances
The program targets these inefficiencies by offering solutions that can dramatically improve energy consumption. Common questions about eligibility often revolve around the types of homes and systems that qualify, but the general guideline is that any home in Massachusetts connected to a participating utility is eligible for at least a basic home energy assessment.
How to Get Started
The first step to unlocking the benefits of the Mass Save Program is scheduling a home energy assessment. This no-cost service allows one of our BPI-certified home energy specialists to assess your home and help you to identify areas where your home is wasting energy and offers solutions to improve efficiency. The assessment typically takes a few hours and is conducted by a professional energy specialist.
During the assessment, the home energy specialist will evaluate your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, and lighting to determine where improvements can be made. They may use tools like infrared cameras to detect heat loss or perform blower door tests to measure air leaks. These assessments are thorough and provide homeowners with a clear understanding of where they can save the most on energy.
The results of the assessment include recommendations for upgrades such as:
- Air sealing
- Insulation improvements
- Appliance replacements
One of the immediate benefits of the home energy audit is the instant cost-saving tool provided at no charge. You may be eligible to receive energy-saving power strips, low-flow showerheads, and programmable thermostats, all designed to help you start saving energy right away.
Available Rebates and Incentives
Mass Save offers an array of rebates and incentives to help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades. These Mass Save incentives cover a wide range of products and services, from heating systems to insulation. For example, if you’re considering upgrading to a more efficient HVAC system, you could be eligible for Mass Save heat pump rebates.
Heat pumps are one of the most popular upgrades under the program, with rebates available for both air-source and ground-source models. The program offers incentives of up to $10,000 for air-source heat pumps, which can make a huge difference in offsetting the cost of installation. Endless Energy is uniquely positioned when it comes to heat pumps as we specialize in heat pump installations, and as a Mass Save partner, we can start with your home energy assessment, help design a heat pump system for you, and help you through all of the Mass Save paperwork.
Similarly, homeowners looking to improve their home’s insulation can take advantage of rebates that cover 75% – 100% of the cost.
Smart thermostats, energy-efficient water heaters, and even high-efficiency lighting products also qualify for Mass Save incentives. For homeowners replacing old heating systems, rebates for oil-to-gas or electric-to-gas conversions are also available.
What sets Mass Save apart is its approach to upfront rebates. Unlike other energy-saving programs, Mass Save provides many of these rebates instantly, saving you the hassle of waiting for months to receive compensation.
Endless Energy takes this a step further by offering upfront rebates on eligible heat pump systems so you save right from the start. This means you will not have to wait for a rebate to arrive – we do!
Financing Options: The HEAT Loan
In addition to rebates, Mass Save offers the 0% HEAT Loan, a financing option that helps homeowners afford major energy-efficient upgrades. This loan covers a wide range of improvements, including:
- Heat Pump HVAC Systems
- Mass Save Insulation
- Windows
- Knob & Tube mitigation
- Select Hot Water Equipment
The HEAT Loan makes it possible for homeowners to spread the cost of these upgrades over time, with no interest.
To qualify for the HEAT Loan, homeowners must first complete a home energy assessment. Once the assessment is complete and recommendations are made, the homeowner can apply for a loan to cover the cost of the upgrades. This allows for greater flexibility in financing large projects, such as installing a heat pump or improving your home’s insulation.
Endless Energy works closely with homeowners to guide them through the HEAT Loan process so they can take full advantage of this financing option. With our help, you can access both the Mass Save incentives and the HEAT Loan, making it easier to invest in your home’s energy efficiency.
The Impact of Energy Efficiency on Your Home
Making energy-efficient upgrades through the Mass Save Program doesn’t just save you money on your energy bills; it also improves your home’s overall comfort. Better insulation means fewer drafts and more consistent temperatures throughout the year. Upgrading your heating or cooling system can provide more reliable performance to help you stay comfortable during both the summer and winter months.
Energy efficiency improvements also add value to your home. If you plan on selling your house in the future, potential buyers will be attracted to a home with lower energy bills and upgraded systems. This makes energy-efficient upgrades not only a smart investment for your current needs but also for the long term.
Start Saving with the Mass Save Program Today
What is the Mass Save Program? It’s your opportunity to identify potential savings on energy costs through no-cost home energy assessments, valuable rebates, and incentives designed to make your home more efficient. By participating, you can reduce energy waste, lower your bills, and upgrade to state-of-the-art systems.
At Endless Energy, we’re different because we offer upfront Mass Save heat pump rebates, so you don’t have to wait 6 – 8 weeks to see the savings. Plus, our expert team handles every part of the process in-house: no paperwork, no subcontractors, no surprises.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to schedule your no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment and start enjoying immediate savings!