The 9 HVAC Rebate Programs Active in MA 2026
This is the complete catalog as of 2026. Amounts shown are standard tier; moderate income and income eligible enhanced tiers carry higher amounts. All Mass Save programs require Mass Save authorized contractor; federal credits are taxpayer-filed.
| # | Program | Standard amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole-home air-source heat pump | $10,000 | Mass Save |
| 2 | Partial heat pump / ductless mini-split | $1,250/ton | Mass Save |
| 3 | Heat pump water heater | $750 + $2K federal | Mass Save + IRC §25C |
| 4 | Central AC (high-efficiency) | $250-$750 | Mass Save |
| 5 | High-efficiency gas boiler | $400-$700 | Mass Save |
| 6 | High-efficiency gas furnace | $300-$500 | Mass Save |
| 7 | Electrical panel upgrade (paired with heat pump) | $4,000 | Mass Save |
| 8 | Heat pump (federal credit) | $2,000 | IRC §25C |
| 9 | HVAC tune-up (annual) | $50-$100 | Mass Save |
The Heat Pump Rebate Stack in Detail
Heat pumps carry the largest rebate stack of any HVAC equipment in 2026. The whole-home rebate has three income tiers and pairs with three federal funding sources:
- Whole-home heat pump rebate (Mass Save)
- Standard: $10,000 · Moderate Income: $13,000 · Income Eligible Enhanced: $16,000 · requires Manual J, AHRI matching, R-32 or R-454B refrigerant, HPC contractor
- Partial heat pump (ductless mini-split or supplemental)
- $1,250 per ton · 3-ton system = $3,750 · 2-ton = $2,500 · stacks with same federal credit · doesn't require whole-home replacement of existing furnace
- Federal IRC §25C credit
- $2,000 non-refundable tax credit · 30% of installed cost up to cap · ENERGY STAR HSPF2 ≥ 7.5 in MA · claimed on IRS Form 5695
- Panel upgrade pairing (Mass Save)
- $4,000 when electrical panel upgrade required to support heat pump (most whole-home installs require) · same install, same contractor, parallel filing
Total available stack on a $22,000 whole-home install: $16,000 standard tier · $19,000 moderate income · $22,000 income eligible enhanced (effectively zero net cost).
Ductless Mini-Split Rebate: $1,250 Per Ton
The partial heat pump rebate at $1,250 per ton is the most accessible Mass Save program because it doesn't require replacing the existing heating system. Common use cases for MA homeowners:
- Adding AC to a forced-hot-water home — single-zone mini-split provides cooling without ductwork; 1.5-ton unit captures $1,875 rebate.
- Heating an unconditioned addition or finished basement — heat pump supplements existing system; 1-ton wall unit = $1,250 rebate.
- Multi-zone retrofit — 4-zone system (one head per room) at 2-3 tons total = $2,500-$3,750 rebate.
- Bridge before full conversion — install partial heat pumps now while existing gas boiler still has 5-8 years of life; capture rebate now, convert to whole-home later when boiler dies.
Heat Pump Water Heater Stack: $2,750 Combined
Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) carry one of the largest equipment-to-rebate ratios in the program. A typical HPWH install at $4,500-$5,500 captures:
| Source | Amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Mass Save HPWH rebate | $750 | ENERGY STAR certified · 50+ gallon capacity |
| Federal IRC §25C credit | $2,000 | ENERGY STAR with UEF ≥ 2.2 (most modern HPWHs) |
| Total reduction | $2,750 | Net cost typically $1,750-$2,750 after stack |
HPWHs work best in basements with ambient temperatures above 50°F year-round and at least 700 cubic feet of air volume around the unit (the unit pulls heat from the air, so confined spaces reduce efficiency). Most MA basements meet this spec.
Gas Boiler and Furnace Rebates (For Homes Not Converting)
Mass Save still offers gas equipment rebates in 2026, though at lower amounts than heat pump programs. These apply when full electrification isn't feasible or when extending the life of an existing gas system makes more economic sense than premature replacement:
- High-efficiency gas boiler
- $400-$700 · requires AFUE ≥ 95% · combi boilers and modulating-condensing boilers qualify · same rebate filing pattern as heat pump (Mass Save authorized contractor)
- High-efficiency gas furnace
- $300-$500 · requires AFUE ≥ 97% · ECM (variable-speed) blower required for higher tier · stackable with central AC rebate if both replaced simultaneously
- Furnace + AC combination rebate
- Additional $150-$250 bonus when both replaced on same install · accessible when whole-home AC + heating overhaul happens without going to heat pump
Federal IRC §25C also offers a $600 credit for qualifying gas boilers and furnaces, stacking with the Mass Save rebate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest single HVAC rebate available in Massachusetts in 2026?
Can I stack the Mass Save rebate and the federal IRC §25C credit?
What if I don't want a whole-home heat pump — can I still get any rebate?
Are there rebates for replacing my old AC with a new high-efficiency AC?
What is the panel upgrade rebate and when does it apply?
Do gas boilers and furnaces still get Mass Save rebates in 2026?
Can I get a rebate for an HVAC tune-up?
Which contractor types can file Mass Save rebates?
References & Sources
- Mass Save Residential Rebate Catalog. https://www.masssave.com/saving/residential-rebates
- IRS Form 5695 Residential Energy Credits. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-5695
- ENERGY STAR Certified HVAC Equipment. https://www.energystar.gov/products/heating_cooling
- Mass Save Find a Contractor. https://www.masssave.com/find-a-contractor
