Mass Save: Get an energy assessment in Massachusetts

The Mass Save energy assessment program is Massachusetts' all-encompassing energy efficiency program which is sponsored by both your electric utility and energy efficiency providers. The program is available to renters, homeowners, and businesses across Massachusetts. Here's the complete breakdown of all the different measures you can take to reduce your energy use and utility bills through the Mass Save program in 2022.

One of the simplest actions you can take to reduce your energy use is to swap out your old, inefficient lighting and appliances for more efficient models. Mass Save offers rebates and discounts for small and large appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems.

Compact fluorescent (CFL) and LED light bulbs

Replacing your old incandescent light bulbs is about as simple as energy efficiency can get. While a 60-watt incandescent light bulb will last between 750 to 2,000 hours, a comparable CFL bulb will last approximately 10,000 hours, and LED light bulbs can last for up to 50,000 hours. Assuming eight hours of usage per day, these LED bulbs can light your home for more than 3,000 days – over eight years – before they need to be replaced. However, the exact length your light bulbs last will depend on several factors, such as where you use them, the temperature in the room, how often you use them, and the current to them.

More efficient bulbs do come at a higher price, but you can get significant discounts on both CFLs and LEDs by buying through the Mass Save website. And over time, you'll save money on your electricity costs by using more efficient light bulbs. You can also sometimes get ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulbs for free during your Mass Save Home Energy Assessment.

Advanced power strips

Many electronics, such as your television or computer, use some electricity even when turned off. By switching to advanced power strips, you can reduce the amount of energy that's wasted by electronic devices when they are not in use. They look just like ordinary power strips, except they have
features built into them to reduce the energy that many everyday electronics in your home use. Advanced power strips essentially cut power to your electronic devices plugged in that aren't in use, enabling you to save energy.

Washers, dryers, refrigerators, and freezers

If you're using older appliances in your home, you can significantly reduce your electricity use by replacing them with new energy-efficient models. To help you out, Mass Save offers rebates for energy-efficient appliances:

Air source heat pumps

Heating and cooling your home or business is one of the biggest contributors to your month-to-month energy bills. However, it can be costly to invest in upgrades to your HVAC system. Fortunately, Mass Save offers rebates to help you save on air source heat pump installations.

Your rebate amount depends on if you're using heat pumps for your entire home or just part of it. Additionally, there are different eligibility requirements for various types of air source heat pump installations:

• Integrated controls: allow you to automatically switch back and forth from air source heat pump heating to your conventional heating source (backup) based on the temperature outside.

• SEER and HSPF ratings: indicate how efficiently an air source heat pump technology heats (SEER) and cools (HSPF) a space. (Learn more about how to compare heat pumps here.)

• Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP) Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump: provides a database of air source heat pump technologies that meet a proven performance standard at low temperatures (which is helpful if you live in Massachusetts!).

*integrated controls are not required if you're completely removing an existing oil or propane heating system entirely.

Smart and programmable thermostats

An easy way to cut down on your day-to-day heating and cooling costs is to install a smart thermostat. You can choose a WiFi-enabled thermostat that can be controlled remotely, or a programmable thermostat, which uses preset temperatures based on the date and time. Both options reduce the amount of energy you use when you're not at home. Certain smart thermostats even have the capability to communicate with your utility directly and offer some added convenience features like controlling them via a smartphone app. Mass Save offers a rebate of up to $100 to purchase a smart or programmable thermostat. You can also purchase a discounted smart thermostat and have it installed at no cost during your Mass Save energy assessment.

In addition to rebates on energy-efficient appliances and equipment, the Mass Save program offers no-cost home energy assessments for homeowners, renters, landlords, and multi-family buildings in Massachusetts.

During a home energy assessment, an Energy Specialist affiliated with the Mass Save program will come to your home and create a personalized report with energy efficiency recommendations for your property. The report will include suggestions like replacing windows or insulation, as well as upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. In addition, your Energy Specialist will install immediate energy efficiency measures like LED light bulbs, programmable thermostats, and water-saving devices at no cost.

An additional benefit of getting an energy assessment through the Mass Save program is that you gain access to the Mass Save HEAT Loan program. HEAT loans offer low-cost financing that you can use for more significant energy efficiency improvements, and an energy assessment is the first step to qualify.

There are lots of big-picture projects that you can take on to reduce your energy use, but the ones with the greatest payoff also have high out-of-pocket costs. During your Mass Save energy assessment, your Energy Specialist might determine that you should upgrade your heating or cooling system or replace the insulation or windows in your home.

Customers of Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and Unitil are eligible for the Mass Save HEAT Loan program, which offers 0% financing for a variety of energy efficiency home improvements. You can borrow up to $25,000 to finance:

• Heating system replacements

• Domestic hot water and solar hot water heaters

• Central air conditioning and heat pumps

• Insulation & replacement windows

Mass Save has other programs available currently in 2022, including:

• Income Eligible Programs: these offer additional assistance depending on your income, such as fuel assistance, reduced utility rates, and additional energy efficiency incentives.

• Small Business Assessments: these are no-cost energy assessments if you're a small business owner to identify energy savings opportunities; they include a limited-time offer to receive up to 100% off approved measures.

• Multifamily unit opportunities: if you own property with five or more units, there are specific energy efficiency opportunities available for you to check out.

The Mass Save program offers many different ways to reduce your energy use by making your home more efficient. However, energy efficiency can only take you so far. The most impactful way to cut your energy costs over the long term is to generate your own electricity, and Massachusetts offers some great incentives to go solar.

Solar savings vary widely, and your unique savings depends on factors like electricity usage, your location, electric rates and plans, and more. In general, most homeowners can expect to save somewhere between $10,000 and $30,000 over the lifetime of a solar panel system. On average, it takes between seven and eight years for most homeowners who shop for solar on EnergySage to get their solar panels to pay for themselves. Visit the EnergySage Marketplace to get solar quotes from installers in your area and begin comparing options.