How Mass Save Rebates Work for Massachusetts Homeowners (2026)

Mass Save is one of the best energy programs in the country for homeowners. It offers rebates, no-cost assessments, and financing to help Massachusetts homeowners upgrade their heating, cooling, and insulation. If you have not looked into it yet, you are likely leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Here is how the program works.

What is Mass Save?

Mass Save is a program run by the major gas and electric utilities in Massachusetts. Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, and Cape Light Compact all participate. The goal is to help homeowners use less energy by upgrading their homes with better insulation, more efficient heating and cooling, and modern equipment.

The program is funded through a small charge on your utility bill, which means you are already paying into it. The rebates and services are available to any homeowner who pays into the program through their utility.

What does Mass Save cover?

The program covers a wide range of energy upgrades. The biggest rebates are for:

Heat pumps and mini splits. Heat pumps are the centerpiece of the program right now. Massachusetts is pushing hard to electrify heating, and the rebates reflect that. Depending on the system and your utility, you can get thousands of dollars back on a heat pump installation. Ductless mini splits qualify too.

Insulation. Mass Save offers generous rebates for attic, wall, and basement insulation. In many cases, the rebate covers 75% or more of the cost. Insulation is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make because it reduces both heating and cooling costs year-round.

Smart thermostats. You can get a discount or rebate on qualifying smart thermostats that help manage your energy use automatically.

Water heaters. Heat pump water heaters qualify for rebates. They use much less electricity than a standard electric water heater and work well in basements and utility rooms.

Appliances. Some high-efficiency appliances like washers and dryers qualify for smaller rebates.

Weatherization. Air sealing and draft reduction work is often covered as part of the insulation rebate package.

The no-cost home energy assessment

The best starting point is the no-cost Home Energy Assessment. A Mass Save technician comes to your home, walks through every room, checks your insulation, heating system, windows, and air leaks, and puts together a report on where your home is losing energy and what upgrades would have the biggest impact.

During the visit, the technician also installs small items for free: LED bulbs, smart power strips, low-flow showerheads, and faucet aerators. These are small savings that add up.

After the assessment, you get a personalized report that lists recommended upgrades and the rebates available for each one. The technician can also help you understand your options and prioritize the upgrades that make the most sense for your budget.

How the rebates work

The process is straightforward:

Step 1: Schedule the assessment. Call Mass Save or schedule online. It is free and takes about an hour.

Step 2: Get your recommendations. The technician gives you a list of upgrades and the rebates available for each one.

Step 3: Choose a contractor. You can use any qualifying contractor for the work. We are Mass Save participating contractors and handle the full process from assessment coordination to installation.

Step 4: Get the work done. The contractor installs the upgrades.

Step 5: Get your rebate. In most cases, the rebate is applied directly at the point of sale, so you pay the reduced price up front. For some upgrades, you submit a rebate form and get a check. Your contractor should handle the paperwork.

Financing through Mass Save

If you want to do a larger project but do not want to pay the full cost up front, Mass Save offers zero-percent financing through the HEAT Loan program. You can borrow up to $25,000 at 0% interest with terms up to seven years. This covers heat pumps, insulation, water heaters, and other qualifying upgrades.

The HEAT Loan makes it possible to do a full energy upgrade with no money down and no interest charges. Your monthly loan payment is often less than the savings on your utility bill, which means the upgrade can pay for itself from day one.

Common questions

Do renters qualify? The home energy assessment is available to renters. Some rebates require landlord permission for structural work like insulation.

Do I have to use a specific contractor? No, but the contractor must be qualified to do the work. Using a Mass Save participating contractor makes the process smoother because they know the paperwork and requirements.

Can I combine Mass Save with federal tax credits? Yes. The federal Inflation Reduction Act offers additional tax credits for heat pumps, insulation, and other energy upgrades. You can stack these with Mass Save rebates for even bigger savings.

How long does the process take? The assessment can usually be scheduled within a week or two. The timeline for the work depends on the scope and the contractor's schedule.

Get started with Ma Energy Advisory

We help Framingham and MetroWest homeowners navigate the Mass Save program, choose the right upgrades, and get every rebate they qualify for. We handle the whole process so you do not have to chase paperwork or figure out which forms to fill.

Call us or request a free consultation to get started.

Related service: Mass Save Program Guidance