Simple efficiency measures can reduce the amount of energy needed for heating, cooling, hot water, appliances, and lighting. They are applicable to all building sizes and types, and can save homeowners and renters money on energy bills. A home energy assessment or energy audit – during which an energy specialist visits your home – is available through Mass Save®.
Opportunities to reduce energy use include:
- Instant Savings Measures or Products: Immediately save energy upon installation (e.g., LED lightbulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats, etc.)
- Weatherization: Improve the building envelope and reduce energy loss by sealing air leaks (e.g., around doors, windows, or in the attic) or adding wall or attic insulation.
- Equipment and Appliances: Replace inefficient equipment to save money and energy on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment as well as hot water equipment and other appliances (e.g. clothes washers, refrigerators, etc.)
To meet customers’ unique needs, program options will vary based on building and occupant type. Learn more about program offerings applicable to you below.
Benefits of Energy Efficiency:
- Energy efficiency can help renters that pay their own utility bills save money on energy. Utility bill savings can come from “instant-saving” energy efficient products installed “in-unit”, such as LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, and efficient thermostats, as well as from “whole building” upgrades that must be authorized by the landlord such as weatherization and equipment/appliance replacement.
- Energy efficiency can also help renters by improving comfort and indoor air quality. Certain energy efficiency improvements, such as weatherization and heating/cooling equipment upgrades, help make indoor space more comfortable and improve indoor air quality.
- Reduced energy costs associated with energy efficiency may allow landlords to make other needed building improvements.
Most energy efficiency technologies require landlord permission in order to implement them. Renters can maximize benefits from energy efficiency by referring their landlord to Mass Save or other applicable efficiency programs.
Energy efficiency programs offerings are based on the number of units in the building. Select the appropriate housing type below to learn more about offerings that may be available, including special programs that cover the full cost of recommended efficiency improvement based on your household income:
Mass Save Market Rate Program
- Mass Save provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of recommended in-unit instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also provides a custom home energy report with tips on how to save energy.
- However, tenants cannot authorize upgrades like weatherization or equipment/appliance replacement without landlord permission. To unlock additional potential savings, tenants should refer their landlord or property manager to Mass Save for Landlords.
- To get started, call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule a home energy assessment. Or, refer your landlord or property manager to Mass Save for Landlords
Mass Save Income Eligible Program
- The Mass Save Income Eligible Program provides a no-cost energy assessment and no-cost installation of recommended in-unit instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also provides a custom home energy report with tips on how to save energy.
- Based on your household income, your home may be eligible for no cost weatherization or equipment/appliance replacement. However, tenants cannot authorize upgrades like weatherization or equipment/appliance replacement without landlord permission. To unlock additional potential savings, tenants should refer their landlord or property manager to the program.
- Income eligibility is determined based on the Annual Household Incomes below:
Number of Household Members / Maximum Annual Household Income
- 1 / $40,950
- 2 / $53,550
- 3 / $66,150
- 4 / $78,751
- 5 / $91,351
- 6 / $103,951
Mass Save Multifamily Program
- Renters in multifamily properties with 5 or more units should refer their landlord or property manager to the Mass Save Multifamily Program. Mass Save will conduct a no-cost energy assessment for the property to identify recommended efficiency upgrades and associated incentives or rebates. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to, energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, insulation, programmable thermostats, heating/cooling or hot water system replacements, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances.
- To get started, refer your landlord or property manager to the Mass Save Multifamily Program.
Low Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) Multifamily Program
- Multifamily properties where at least 50% of households are income-eligible should refer their landlord or property manager to the LEAN Multifamily Program. Households with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) are considered income-eligible. LEAN will conduct a no-cost energy assessment and install recommended upgrades at no cost. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to, energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, insulation, programmable thermostats, heating or hot water system replacements, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances.
- Income-eligible renters can request an individual audit of their housing unit and receive recommended in-unit “instant savings products” that do not require landlord/owner permission (e.g., high efficiency LED bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, etc.).
- To get started, contact LEAN through the chat option or webform on the bottom of the LEAN Multifamily website. You can also refer your landlord or property manager to the LEAN Multifamily Program.
Benefits of Energy Efficiency:
- Energy efficiency can reduce utility bills. Utility bill savings can come from “instant saving” energy efficient products installed “in-unit”, such as LED light bulbs, advanced power strips and efficient thermostats, as well as from “whole building” upgrades such as weatherization and equipment/appliance replacement.
- Reduced energy costs may allow homeowners and landlords to make other needed building improvements.
- Energy efficiency can also help improve comfort and indoor air quality. Certain energy efficiency improvements, such as weatherization and heating/cooling system upgrades, help make indoor space more comfortable and improve indoor air quality.
Mass Save Market Rate Program
- Mass Save provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of recommended instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades, next steps, and available incentives and rebates.
- Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at a 75% discount. Higher discounts are available depending on the property owner’s or tenant’s income, or whether the property is a rental property.
- Rebates are available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting, appliances, and smart thermostats.
- Zero percent interest financing, up to $25,000, is available for eligible upgrades through the HEAT Loan program.
- To get started, call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule an assessment or contact a contractor directly.
Mass Save Enhanced Residential
- The Mass Save Enhanced Residential Program is available to property owners who meet moderate-income eligibility requirements as outlined in the table below.
Number of Household Members / Maximum Annual Household Income
- 1 / $54,600
- 2 / $71,400
- 3 / $88,201
- 4 / $105,001
- 5 / $121,801
- 6 / $138,601
- Mass Save provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of recommended instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades, next steps, and available incentives and rebates.
- Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at no cost.
- Rebates are available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting, appliances, and smart thermostats.
- Grants are available to remove barriers that would otherwise prevent completion of upgrades (e.g., asbestos, vermiculite, knob and tube wiring) provided that upgrades are completed.
- Zero percent interest financing, up to $25,000, is available for eligible upgrades through the through the HEAT Loan program. (Financing of up to $50,000 is available for 2-4 unit homes through the Expanded Loan Option.)
- To get started, determine if you are eligible and call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule a no-cost energy assessment.
Mass Save Income Eligible Program
- The Mass Save Income Eligible Program is available to property owners who meet the income eligibility requirements as outlined in the table below and to properties where at least 50% of tenant households meet these requirements.
Number of Household Members / Maximum Annual Household Income
- 1 / $40,950
- 2 / $53,550
- 3 / $66,150
- 4 / $78,751
- 5 / $91,351
- 6 / $103,951
- Mass Save provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of no-cost instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades and next steps.
- Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at no cost.
- If recommended, no-cost installation is available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting, appliances, and programmable thermostats.
- There is no cost to remove barriers that would otherwise prevent completion of recommended upgrades (e.g., knob and tube wiring, asbestos) provided that upgrades are completed.
- To get started, contact your local Community Action Program using information on the Mass Save website.
Mass Save Landlord Program for 1-4 Unit Properties
- Landlords of 1-4 unit rental properties may be eligible for the Mass Save Landlord Program. Note that owners and occupants of attached 2-4 unit condominiums may join with other condo owners in the building to become eligible for this program.
- Mass Save will provide a no-cost energy assessment and installation of no-cost in-unit instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and programmable thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades, next steps, and available incentives and rebates.
- Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at a 90% discount, when all units participate.
- Rebates are available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water equipment, lighting, appliances, and smart thermostats.
- Zero percent interest financing, up to $25,000, is available for eligible upgrades through the through the HEAT Loan program. (Financing of up to $50,000 is available for 2-4 unit homes through the Expanded Loan Option.)
- To get started, review the program details online and call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule an assessment.
Mass Save Renovations and Additions
- The Mass Save Renovations and Additions program provides incentives to property owners for incorporating energy efficient upgrades that go beyond efficiency requirements required by the building code into renovations and/or additions at existing homes that are 3 stories or less. To be eligible, the application process must be started before construction begins, and the renovation or addition must be at least 500 square feet.
- To get started, determine if your project is eligible and fill out an interest form or work directly with a third party verifier or HERS rater.
Market Rate Multifamily Program
- The Mass Save Multifamily Program provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of recommended in-unit instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats.
- The assessment provides a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades for the building as a whole, next steps, and available incentives and rebates.
- Recommended improvements may include, but are not limited to, energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, insulation, programmable thermostats, high efficiency heating, cooling, or hot water equipment, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances.
- To get started, call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule an assessment.
Low Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) Multifamily Program
- Multifamily properties where at least 50% of households are income-eligible qualify for the LEAN Multifamily Program. Households with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) are considered income-eligible. (If fewer than 50% of tenants are income eligible, there may be higher discounts for recommended improvements as compared to discounts through the Mass Save Multifamily program. In addition, income-eligible tenants may be served individually through LEAN Multifamily.) Public housing authorities, as well as non-profit or for-profit owners/managers, are eligible to apply.
- From start to finish, LEAN will manage everything and install recommended improvements at no-cost.
- LEAN will send out an expert to assess how they can help improve the energy efficiency of your property.
- The assessment provides a custom report with recommended efficiency improvements for the building as a whole and next steps.
- Recommended improvements will be installed at no cost. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to, energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, insulation, programmable thermostats, high efficiency heating, cooling, or hot water equipment, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances.
- LEAN will schedule, manage, and oversee all of the energy efficiency improvements made to your building.
- LEAN will also do a final comprehensive inspection of the work completed to ensure it was done effectively and professionally.
- To get started, fill out the application form on the LEAN Multifamily webpage.