Massachusetts Edition

Heat Pump or Solar First? The Real Answer for Massachusetts

You have $15,000 to spend on one upgrade. Which one saves you money fastest? Let's do the math.

The Short Answer

Heat pump wins. A heat pump with Mass Save pays for itself in 4–6 years. Solar takes 10–15 years. If you want to save money as fast as possible, get a heat pump first.

⚠️ Important: If you live in one of 41 excluded towns (Concord, Wellesley, Reading, etc.), you can't use Mass Save. But alternatives exist. Check if your town is excluded.

Heat Pump Path: The Faster Win (With Mass Save)

What you pay: $6,000–$8,000 after Mass Save rebate. (Install costs $6,000–$10,000. Mass Save covers $5,000–$10,000 depending on your situation.)

What you save per year: $1,200.

When it pays for itself: In about 6 years.

After that: Free heating for 20+ years.

Real example: A Boston homeowner qualified for Mass Save and got a heat pump installed. Their heating bill dropped from $1,800/year to $600/year. They saved $1,200 in year one. In 6 years, the savings and the rebate cover the whole cost. Then they get 20+ years of free heating.

Solar Path: The Longer Wait

What you pay: About $15,000–$22,000 after rebates. (Install costs $17,500–$27,500. Rebates cover $1,000–$5,000.)

What you save per year: $1,500.

When it pays for itself: In about 13 years.

After that: Free electricity for 20+ years.

Real example: A Worcester homeowner installed solar. Their electricity bill went down $1,500/year. But they had to wait 13 years before the system paid for itself.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Heat Pump (Mass Save) Solar
Cost after rebate $7,000 $18,000
You save per year $1,200 $1,500
Pays for itself in 6 years 13 years
Free energy after 20+ years 20+ years

Massachusetts Winters: Will a Heat Pump Work?

Yes. Massachusetts winters are actually perfect for heat pumps—milder than Canada.

Boston averages -2°C to +5°C in winter. That's heat pump sweet spot. When cold snaps hit -15°C to -20°C (a few weeks a year), backup heat kicks in automatically. Your home stays warm.

Northern Massachusetts (like Fitchburg or Greenfield) gets 5°C colder. Still works great with modern heat pumps.

What if I'm in an Excluded Town?

If you live in Concord, Wellesley, Reading, Belmont, Holyoke, or 36 other towns, you can't use Mass Save. These towns have their own municipal utility (called an MLP). Mass Save doesn't serve them.

But alternatives exist: municipal programs, zero-interest loans, and other federal rebates. See your town's options here.

Your Next Step

Want to know your exact rebate amount? Take our 20-second assessment. Tell us about your home. We'll show you exactly how much money you can get.