Quick quiz: Massachusetts rebates
A few questions from the programs we track. Tap an answer to see why.
What is a Mass Save Home Energy Assessment?
It's a free home check-up paid for by the Mass Save program. Mass Save is run by the state's utilities: Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Cape Light Compact, Berkshire Gas and Liberty. An Energy Specialist looks at how your home uses energy. Then they tell you which upgrades will help most and which rebates you can get.
There are three ways to do it:
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| In-person | A specialist walks through your home | Planning insulation or a heat pump |
| Virtual | You walk the specialist through your home on a video call | Busy schedules, quick advice |
| Online | You answer questions about your home on the website | A first look before booking a visit |
Is the Mass Save assessment really free?
Yes. Mass Save calls it "no-cost," and you don't have to do any of the work it recommends. The upgrades themselves are not always free. Most households get 75% off insulation and air sealing. Income-qualified households can get it at up to no cost, and so can some 1–4 unit buildings where all the owners join in.
Do I need an assessment to get Mass Save rebates?
Not for every rebate. Here is how it lines up:
- Insulation and air sealing: yes. The 75%–100% off offer comes through the assessment.
- Whole-home heat pump rebate ($2,650 per ton, up to $8,500): your home must be "sufficiently weatherized." One way to prove that is an assessment with under $1,000 of weatherization recommended, or finishing the work it recommends. Homes built in 2000 or later also count.
- Partial-home heat pump rebate: an assessment plus the recommended weatherization earns a $500 bonus.
- Heat pump water heater ($750 instant rebate): no assessment needed.
What happens during the visit
The specialist usually checks:
- Attic: how much insulation you have, and air leaks around the hatch and lights
- Basement or crawlspace: insulation, moisture, and the rim joist
- Walls: whether they're insulated
- Heating and cooling: age, fuel type and condition
- Water heater: age and type
- Air leaks: sometimes with a blower door test
Visit length depends on your home's size. Ask when you book.
What you get afterward
You get a report with recommended upgrades and the rebates you can get for each. The specialist can also help with next steps, like setting up insulation work. You choose what to do, when, and with which contractor.
Who can't get a Mass Save assessment?
If your electricity comes from a town-owned municipal light plant, like those in Concord, Wellesley, Braintree, Taunton or Chicopee, Mass Save's electric programs don't cover you. Your light plant may offer its own assessment through NextZero or Energy New England. You'll need that assessment for the state's 0% MLP Z-Loan. See which towns are MLP towns.
How to prepare
- Clear a path to your attic hatch, basement and crawlspace.
- Have a year of energy bills handy.
- List cold rooms, drafts or damp spots to point out.
- Ask what you qualify for at each income tier.
What to do next
- Book your no-cost assessment at masssave.com or call 866-527-7283.
- Do the insulation and air sealing first. It can shrink the heat pump you need.
- Get 2–3 quotes from Mass Save Heat Pump Installer Network contractors.
- Use the 0% HEAT Loan (up to $25,000 over up to 7 years) if you need to spread out the cost.
Compare top-rated local installers, ranked by Google reviews. It's free for homeowners. Start with Boston, Worcester, Springfield or Newton insulation.
Common questions
Is the Mass Save home energy assessment really free?
Yes. Mass Save offers no-cost virtual or in-person assessments, plus a no-cost online assessment. You don't have to do the work it recommends.
How do I book a Mass Save home energy assessment?
Book online at masssave.com or call 866-527-7283. You need to be a customer of a Mass Save utility, like Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Cape Light Compact, Berkshire Gas or Liberty.
What does the assessment unlock?
Most households get 75% off insulation and air sealing, and income-qualified households can get up to 100% off. It also helps you qualify for the whole-home heat pump rebate.
Do I need an assessment for a heat pump water heater rebate?
No. Mass Save's $750 heat pump water heater rebate is an instant rebate and does not need an assessment.
Can renters get an assessment?
Yes. Mass Save offers assessments for renters and for landlords with 1-4 units or 5+ units.
Sources, checked September 26, 2026: Mass Save Home Energy Assessments · Mass Save air-source heat pumps · MassCEC weatherization incentives · DOER MLP Z-Loan
