5 Best Mass Save Rebates and Incentives
If you are a homeowner in Massachusetts who is thinking of switching to electric you should certainly check out what Mass Save rebates you might be eligible for. It’s quite likely that you will be able to get some financial assistance.
In this article, we’ll walk you through all the various Mass Save rebates and incentives. Many of these rebates are designed to encourage Massachusetts homes to make the switch to all-electric. Others just to make them more energy efficient.
All of them will help you, the homeowner, to save money.
What in Mass Save?
The Mass Save program is a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the top utility companies and electricity providers in the state, along with other sponsors. Its mission is to help qualified homeowners better manage their energy use and reduce their overall energy costs.
It does this by offering rebates and incentives that encourage homeowners to make energy efficiency upgrades – anything from a $30 rebate on the cost of a new appliance to a zero percent loan for the replacement of a home heating system.
And it seems to be working. For the last 13 years, Massachusetts has consistently ranked in the top two among U.S. states in energy efficiency, thanks in part to programs like Mass Save.
Perhaps its best-known program is the no-cost home energy audit. This is where a Home Energy Specialist inspects your home and provides a customized report on how to save energy and money through improved efficiency.
This is usually the first step a homeowner must take to access some of the larger Mass Save rebates and incentives.
How is Mass Save Funded?
These home energy assessments are technically not free, though. The Mass Save program is funded by a surcharge that all Massachusetts residents pay on their utility bills. You can find it listed as an “Energy Efficiency Fee” in the section of the bill where your delivery charges are itemized.
This surcharge typically adds about 10% to the cost of your electricity and is calculated based on the number of kilowatt hours you used during the billing cycle. The more electricity you consume, the more you pay to fund the Mass Save program.
And since you’ve been paying for the program for many years, probably without even realizing it, you should certainly look into getting some of your money back in the form of Mass Save rebates.
Qualifying For Mass Save Rebates
It’s important to remember that qualification for most Mass Save rebates has nothing to do with income level. While there are certainly some programs that are targeted at low-to-moderate-income customers, most are provided just to encourage electrification and energy efficiency, regardless of the customer’s income level.
Qualification criteria vary from program to program and can range from simply purchasing a particular appliance within a specified time frame to using a Mass Save-certified installer and submitting proof online.
Some of the home heating rebates require that you upgrade your insulation before you install new appliances. There’s no point in upgrading your heating equipment if half the savings are leaking out through a poorly insulated attic.
To qualify for many of the more popular Mass Save rebates and incentives, you must first have an energy assessment done on your home.
5 Most Popular Mass Save Rebates
Listed below are some of the Mass Save Programs most popular rebates and incentives.
0% Financing
Mass Save HEAT Loans allow you to access a 0% interest rate for up to 7 years on up to $25,000 worth of home energy efficiency improvements. This loan could be used for insulation, heating systems, air conditioning systems, heat pumps, etc.
The loans are typically administered through a local banking partner, whose lending criteria you will have to meet regardless of any Mass Save qualification criteria you may have already met. But zero percent financing will certainly save you money on your home upgrades.
Insulation
An astonishing 90% of U.S. homes are not properly insulated. That’s according to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA). And given that New England’s housing stock is among the oldest in the nation, perhaps it’s not surprising that some of the most generous Mass Save rebates are focused on improving that statistic.
Mass Save offers rebates of 75-100% off insulation upgrades to help homeowners, renters, and building owners save energy.
Laundry
The typical US household does up to 300 loads of laundry a year, all of which takes energy and cost money. More modern washing machines use up to 35% less water while electric dryers typically use 20% less energy.
To help reduce energy usage and save on expenses, Mass Save offers rebates to homeowners who replace their standard washer and dryer with more efficient models.
You could be eligible for Mass Save rebates of up to $150 for a washer and $50 for an electric clothes dryer.
Windows
Most people don’t immediately think of windows when thinking about home energy but installing new windows can reduce energy bills and a home’s carbon footprint by up to 12%. .
Replacing single-pane windows with energy-efficient ENERGY STAR-certified triple-pane versions can qualify you for a $75 Mass Save rebate per window. It can also make a big difference to your energy bills and carbon emissions.
On average, homeowners can expect to save between $101 and $583 every year in addition to reducing UV damage to floors, carpets, and furniture.
Cooking
As the move towards home electrification accelerates, more people are making the switch from gas to electric induction stoves. Not only is induction cooking better for the planet it’s also much safer than cooking with gas.
In fact, several towns across the commonwealth are piloting a program that bans natural as hook-ups on new construction projects.
People who replace a gas or propane stove with an induction one may be eligible for a Mass Save rebate of $500. To qualify, you have to have your existing gas or propane stove verified before removing it.To start the verification process, visit www.masssave.com/getverified.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Massachusetts residents have many options when it comes to energy efficiency and saving money on their home upgrades. Whether you are looking to upgrade your insulation, laundry appliances, windows, or kitchen appliances, Mass Save has rebates and incentives available to help you save money.
There has never been a better time to make electrification and energy-efficient upgrades to your home. So if you’re in Massachusetts, take advantage of the Mass Save Programs and start saving money today!