What Is Mass Save?
Mass Save is the unified energy efficiency program administered by the seven major Massachusetts utilities (Eversource, National Grid, Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Liberty Utilities, NSTAR Gas, Unitil) under contract with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. It's funded by the System Benefits Charge — a small surcharge on every Massachusetts gas + electric bill that pools statewide for residential and commercial energy efficiency rebates.
The program is administered through three channels:
- Free Home Energy Assessment (HEA): 90-minute on-site audit by Mass Save authorized BPI-certified contractor.
- Authorized contractor network: 1,200+ MA contractors trained + certified to file rebates on customer behalf.
- Online portal: masssave.com handles scheduling, contractor lookup, rebate status tracking.
Eligibility: any MA homeowner or renter (with landlord authorization) whose home is served by one of the participating utilities. Income tier matters only for enhanced rebate amounts; the base program is income-blind.
Rebate 1: Home Energy Assessment
The free 90-minute on-site audit by a Mass Save authorized BPI-certified inspector. Includes ~$200-$400 in installed products (LED bulbs, smart power strips, low-flow showerheads, smart thermostat) and a written report identifying envelope priorities + equipment upgrade paths.
Rebate Amount
Free. Plus value of installed products. Income-eligible enhanced verification triggered at HEA visit unlocks downstream tier increase.
Eligibility
Any MA utility customer. No income requirement. Renters: landlord authorization required.
Application
Schedule at masssave.com/saving/home-energy-assessments. Lead time 2-6 weeks. See our complete HEA application walkthrough for the 6-step process.
Rebate 2: Air Sealing
Caulking, weatherstripping, top-plate gaskets, recessed-light covers, plumbing penetration foam. Reduces blower door CFM50 by 30-50% in typical installations.
Rebate Amount
Standard tier: 75% rebated. Income-eligible enhanced: 100% rebated. Typical $1,800-$3,200 install: $0-$800 net standard tier; $0 net income-eligible.
Prerequisites
HEA on file within 2 years. No knob-and-tube wiring in air-sealing zones (must be removed first if present).
Rebate 3: Insulation (Attic / Wall / Basement)
Bringing envelope to current MA stretch code R-values: R-49 attic, R-21 walls, R-15 basement.
Attic Insulation
Target R-49. Standard tier: 75% rebated. Income-eligible: 100%. Typical 2,200 sq ft home: $4,800-$5,400 gross, $0-$1,200 net.
Wall Insulation
Dense-pack cellulose retrofit. Standard: 75%. Income-eligible: 100%. Typical 1,800 sq ft house: $4,200-$7,800 gross.
Basement Insulation
Rim joist + foundation wall interior. Standard: 75%. Income-eligible: 100%. Typical: $1,400-$2,800 gross.
Rebate 4: Whole-Home Heat Pump
Mass Save's flagship 2026 rebate. Cold-climate ASHP installed by authorized HPC contractor.
Rebate Amount
Standard tier: up to $10,000 for whole-home cold-climate ASHP replacing primary heating system. Income-eligible enhanced: up to $16,000. Partial-home (mini-splits): $1,250 per ton, capped at $10,000.
Prerequisites
HEA within 2 years. AHRI-matched cold-climate equipment (NEEP list). R-32 or R-454B refrigerant. Manual J load calculation. Authorized HPC contractor of record.
Full breakdown in our Mass Save heat pump rebate 2026 article.
Rebate 5: Heat Pump Water Heater
Replaces existing gas / oil / electric tank water heater with heat pump water heater (Rheem ProTerra, Bradford White Aerotherm, AO Smith Voltex).
Rebate Amount
Standard tier: $750-$1,500. Income-eligible enhanced: up to $2,250.
Prerequisites
HEA within 2 years. Energy Star certified HPWH. Authorized contractor install.
Rebate 6: Panel Upgrade
The newest Mass Save rebate (added 2024). Panel work is rebated ONLY when paired with electrification project (heat pump, HPWH, or EV charger install).
Rebate Amount
$4,000 when paired with electrification. Same amount standard + income-eligible.
Pairing Requirement
Standalone panel upgrades don't qualify. The panel work must be filed alongside heat pump install OR HPWH install OR EV charger install. Net cost typically $0 (rebate covers most or all upgrade cost). See our how to tell if your panel needs upgrade article.
Rebate 7: EV Charger
Level 2 EV charger install with Wi-Fi-enabled Energy Star EVSE.
Rebate Amount
$700 standard. Plus Eversource Connected Solutions enrollment: $50/year + $200/year summer demand response.
Prerequisites
Energy Star certified Wi-Fi-enabled EVSE (Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint Home Flex, Wallbox Pulsar Plus, JuiceBox). Authorized contractor install.
Rebate 8: Energy Star Windows
Window replacement to Energy Star Northern climate zone certification (U-0.27 stretch code minimum).
Rebate Amount
$50-$120 per window depending on tier + manufacturer. Typical $75. On 30-window project: $2,250 total.
Prerequisites
Energy Star certified for Northern climate. Stretch-code-adopted municipality. Authorized contractor install.
Rebates 9-14: Smaller Programs
Six additional smaller rebates available depending on project type:
- Rebate 9: Induction range — $500 income-eligible only.
- Rebate 10: Smart thermostat — Free with Eversource enrollment.
- Rebate 11: HRV/ERV — $400-$800 with insulation upgrade.
- Rebate 12: Duct sealing — Up to $400 within insulation rebate scope.
- Rebate 13: Refrigerator removal — $50 + free pickup for secondary fridges.
- Rebate 14: HEAT Loan (financing, not rebate) — 0% APR up to $50,000 for 7-year terms.
Total Stack Math
For a typical 2,200 sq ft MA home pursuing full electrification:
| Rebate | Standard Tier | Income-Eligible |
|---|---|---|
| HEA + freebies | $300 | $300 |
| Air sealing | $2,400 | $3,200 |
| Attic insulation | $3,600 | $5,400 |
| Heat pump | $10,000 | $16,000 |
| HPWH | $1,500 | $2,250 |
| Panel upgrade | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| EV charger (if applicable) | $700 | $700 |
| Windows (30-window project) | $2,250 | $2,250 |
| Induction range | $0 | $500 |
| Total Stack | $24,750 | $34,600 |
For decision-tree sequencing, see our Mass Save rebate stack 2026 decision tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Mass Save funded?
Can I file Mass Save rebates myself?
How long does Mass Save rebate payment take?
What's the income-eligible enhanced threshold for 2026?
Do Mass Save rebates change year-to-year?
Can I stack Mass Save rebates with federal IRA tax credits?
What if my municipality isn't served by a Mass Save utility?
Can a single Mass Save HEA cover multiple homes I own?
References & Sources
- Mass Save program structure overview. https://www.masssave.com/saving/residential-rebates
- Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-energy-resources
- Massachusetts state median income data. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/income-eligible-information
- U.S. Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit
