Get to Know the Mass Save® Heat Pump Rebate Program

Discover the Mass Save Heat Pump Rebate Program & get information on how to qualify for discounts for your heating and cooling upgrades. Call N.E.T.R., Inc. today. 

Table of Contents

Introduction

Current Mass Save® Heat Pump Rebates & Eligibility

  • General Eligibility Information

Available Rebates & Money Saving Upgrades

  • Whole-Home Rebate
  • Partial-House Rebate
  • Enhanced Heating & Cooling Equipment Rebates
  • Integrated Controls Rebate
  • Inflation Reduction Act Heat Pump Tax Credit        
  • Income Eligible Program
  • Mass Save HEAT Loan

How to Claim Your Mass Save Heat Pump Rebate

Additional Rebate Resources

  • Energy Assessment
  • Eligible Products
  • Eligible Contractors
  • Income Verification
  • HEAT Loan Providers & Portals
  • Comparison Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Mass Save® Rebates

Contact Mass Save

About N.E.T.R., Inc.

Introduction

The Mass Save® Heat Pump Rebate Program offers generous rebates for qualifying homeowners in Massachusetts who install a new qualifying heat pump. With whole-house and partial-house rebates available, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act tax credit and enhanced rebates for income-restricted families, there are many ways to save.

Continue reading below to explore available rebates and eligibility criteria, how to apply for a rebate, answers to questions about the Mass Save® Heat Pump Rebate Program, and information on how N.E.T.R., Inc. can help you save money on switching to energy-efficient heating and cooling.

Current Mass Save® Heat Pump Rebates & Eligibility

If you’re looking to replace your current heating and cooling system with a high-efficiency heat pump, you could be eligible for thousands of dollars in rebates from Mass Save® depending on various factors like the system you choose, your annual income, and whether the system is designed to supplement or replace your existing HVAC system.

To qualify for these money-saving heating and cooling rebates, your new system must meet certain energy efficiency and installation standards, along with other requirements depending on the rebate. For example, if your home is old and drafty like many of Massachusetts’ charming abodes, you may need to upgrade your home’s insulation or windows to be considered eligible.

General Eligibility Information

  • Applicants must be residents living in Massachusetts where one of the following companies is the program sponsor: Liberty Utilities, Berkshire Gas, Eversource, National Grid, Cape Light Compact, and Unitil.
  • Applicants must have completed an energy assessment before purchasing a heat pump.
  • Applicants for the 2022 rebates must purchase and install their new heat pump between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, and submit their completed rebate application to Mass Save by February 28, 2023.
  • Heat pumps must be installed by a licensed HVAC contractor affiliated with Mass Save.
  • The equipment must be on Mass Save’s qualifying product list.
  • Applicants may be subject to a post-installation inspection by Mass Save to qualify for rebate.

Note: We will provide information on 2023 rebates as soon as it becomes available. These may potentially follow the same guidelines as 2022 rebates.

Available Rebates & Money Saving Upgrades 

Whole-Home Rebate

A whole-home rebate is available for homeowners who are using a new heat pump to completely replace their existing heating and cooling system. Without income-based enhancements (more on that below), you could be eligible for a $10,000 rebate if you switch to an air-source heat pump if you meet the below eligibility requirements.

Whole-House Eligibility
  • The heat pump must meet ACCA Manual J Design Conditions for sole-source heating and cooling, which state a system should be large enough to meet at least 90% of a home’s overall heating load throughout the entire space.
  • Homeowners must have their existing heating system removed or disconnected. If this isn’t possible, the existing system can only be used in the event of a heating or cooling emergency.
  • Homeowners must occupy the property where the heat pump is installed full-time during the heating season.
  • Homeowner must complete the Home Energy Assessment and any weatherization recommendations (this includes any insulation work).
  • The residence must not be part of a large apartment complex (units may individually qualify for a partial-home rebate, but 4+ unit complexes are not eligible).

Partial-House Rebate

The partial-home or supplemental rebate from Mass Save®  may be available to homeowners who are adding an air source heat pump to part of their house rather than replacing the whole heating and cooling system. The amount of the rebate you are eligible to receive is determined by the size and capacity of your new heat pump using a per-ton measurement that aligns with guidelines from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).

This rebate offers $1,250 per 12,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units) up to $10,000, as well as a $500 bonus for homeowners who make certain weatherization updates in addition to adding a heat pump to their existing home heating and cooling system. 

Partial-House Eligibility

In addition to meeting the same energy assessment, contractor, and equipment requirements, partial-house rebate applicants must also:

  • Install a qualifying integrated control from the Mass Save® Integrated Control Qualified Product List 
  • Set integrated controls at or below the maximum switch-over temperatures of less than or equal to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for existing propane systems and less than or equal to 30 degrees Fahrenheit for existing oil and natural gas systems

Enhanced Heating & Cooling Equipment Rebates

As of August 2022, homeowners that meet certain income thresholds may also be eligible for an Enhanced Heating and Cooling Equipment Rebate. This provides up to an additional $6,000 rebate to a whole-home rebate, potentially expanding the reimbursement amount to $16,000. 

Enhanced Equipment Rebate Eligibility

Applicants submitting a request for an enhanced rebate must be able to meet the following criteria to qualify:

  • Live in a one- to four-unit residence
  • Receive a $10,000 whole-home rebate
  • Fall within certain annual income guidelines, detailed below

Homeowners can check their eligibility status online on the Mass Save website and upload income verification documents through the user portal here. Income limits are as follows:

  • Family of 1 – $40,952 – $54,601
  • Family of 2 – $53,552 – $71,401
  • Family of 3 – $66,152 – $88,201
  • Family of 4 – $78,752 – $105,001
  • Family of 5 – $91,352 – $121,802
  • Family of 6 – $103,952 – $138,602

Integrated Controls Rebate

Integrated controls are thermostats that are connected to the internet and can be controlled remotely. This upgrade can save you money on your energy bill by allowing you to set a schedule for your heating and cooling system, and make adjustments as needed. Mass Save also provides a rebate of $500 per indoor unit with integrated controls, up to a total of $1,500 for 3 units.

Example

Partial-home rebate for 3 x 36,000 BTU units with integrated controls added to a home with existing baseboard heat that the homeowner wants to continue using

Partial-home rebate: $1,250 per 12,000 BTUs x 3 units = $3,750

Integrated controls rebate: $500 per unit x 3 units = $1,500

Total reimbursement: $5,250

Inflation Reduction Act Heat Pump Tax Credit         

In addition to the standard whole and partial home rebates offered by Mass Save, the Inflation Reduction Act provides a tax credit for qualifying high-efficiency heat pumps. This bill, passed in August 2022, revives and improves upon the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit, which expired at the end of 2021. Now, the program is called the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and is available to people who earn less than 150% of the median (average) income in your area.

If approved for the rebate, you could receive a reimbursement of 30% of your qualifying expenses, up to $2,000 per unit or $8,000 total. Combined with Mass Save Heat Pump rebates and income-enhanced reimbursements, this credit could help you save tens of thousands of dollars.

Income Eligible Program

In order to better assist qualified Massachusetts homeowners in reducing their average electricity costs and making energy-saving upgrades to their homes, the Sponsors of Mass Save® have established a partnership with the Massachusetts Community Action Program Agencies and Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) to provide benefits to income-restricted families.

You may qualify fo these program benefits if you meet the below criteria:

  • You fall within the program’s yearly household income limits 
  • You reside in an apartment building with no more than 4 units or a single family home

If you qualify, you could receive the following upgrades at no cost to you:

  • Installation of updated insulation in your walls, attic, or basement
  • Sealing cracks in your home’s foundation that leads to drafts or hot spots
  • Installation of a programmable thermostat
  • Energy-saving power strips

Mass Save HEAT Loan

The Mass Save HEAT Loan is a financing option for customers looking to who need payment options for their home energy-efficiency improvements.The program is independent of the rebates that are available and customers can apply for the HEAT Loan to pay for the remainder of their heat pump upgrade after the rebates have been applied. Qualifying applicants may be able to finance up to $25,000 in energy-saving upgrades.

Financing is not offered by Mass Save, but rather is supplied by participating lenders throughout Massachusetts. There are currently more than 100 lenders to choose from, including BankFive, Eastern Bank, Massachusetts Family Credit Union, Mutual Bank, Pentucket Bank, South Shore Bank, Southbridge Credit Union, Workers Credit Union, and many more.

Mass Save HEAT Loan Eligibility
  • Applicants must own their homes
  • Applicants must currently have an account with a participating electric provider
  • Applicants using natural gas may still qualify if their gas is supplied by a Mass Save Program Sponsor
  • Only upgrades or improvements listed in the HEAT Loan Packet are eligible for financing
  • Applicants must be approved by the lender

How to Claim Your Mass Save Heat Pump Rebate

There are several steps you must follow to claim a heat pump rebate with Mass Save. If you miss any of these steps, you risk having your application denied. You can reduce the chances of a simple mistake costing you the entire rebate by working with a Mass Save-affiliated contractor.

Get a home assessment.

The first step to claiming your heat pump rebate is to get a home assessment. A Mass Save®-certified assessor will visit your home and conduct a whole-house energy assessment at no cost to you. The assessor will evaluate your home’s energy use to determine where you might be wasting energy and what you can do to improve your home’s energy efficiency. This information can then be used by your contractor to create a heating and cooling plan that meets your needs.

Your assessment will take place in-person or online, and will include the following:

  • Calculation of your home’s current energy use
  • Measurements of surface temperatures in your home
  • Assessment of drafty or hot areas in your home
  • What changes you can make to save more energy
  • Which rebates you may qualify for

Someone over the age of 18 must be present at the assessment and it’s recommended that all decision-makers in the home attend. You will receive a detailed report of your assessment that you can use to apply for rebates and financing.

Find an eligible HVAC contractor.

After you have received your home assessment, you will need to find an eligible contractor to install your new heat pump system. Starting in 2023, all contractors must be part of the Heat Pump Installer Network.

All contractors participating in the Mass Save® program are certified and have been pre-screened to ensure they provide the highest quality products and services available. You can find a list of eligible contractors by visiting the Mass Save website. When you have selected a contractor, you will need to schedule an appointment for a home energy assessment. They will take into account the size of your home, the number of rooms, and the climate where you live to obtain accurate estimates.

Purchase eligible equipment.

Once you have found a participating contractor, you will need to purchase qualifying equipment from them. There is a wide variety of approved systems, so be sure to ask your contractor what specific items will qualify for a rebate. If you are not sure whether your equipment is eligible, you can check the list of qualifying products on the website.

New federal heat pump product specifications that go into effect on January 1, 2023, will compel suppliers to switch from HSPF and SEER efficiency ratings to HSPF2 and SEER2 ratings. Once the updated national criteria have been established, the efficiency specifications for residential-sized heat pump systems will be updated.  The Sponsors will evaluate any products that fit either the old requirements or the new parameters as acceptable for installation through December 31, 2023, to help make transitioning to the updated qualifications easier for homeowners.

Have your new system installed.

Once you have purchased your new heat pump system, schedule a time for your contractor to install it. Installation must be completed by a certified technician for you to be eligible for the rebate. If you choose a contractor that is not in the Heat Pump Installer Network, you cannot apply for a rebate after the fact.

If your contractor is a Mass Save Verified 3rd Party Designee, you can provide them with your Mass Save Rebate Form at the time of installation. The contractor can complete and sign the form with their certification number and can even send the rebate in for you on your behalf.

Complete the rebate application.

Next, you will need to complete the rebate application and submit it to Mass Save® along with proof of purchase and installation, such as receipts or invoices, within 60 days of having your system put in by an HVAC professional. You can do so online or by mail.

Before you apply, double-check that all of the information is correct. This includes your contact information, the make and model of your new HVAC equipment, your contractor’s name, and the address where you want the rebate check to be sent.

If there are any errors on your application or any missing supporting documentation, your application may be denied. You can prevent this from happening by making sure you understand the eligibility requirements of the rebate you’re applying for and making sure there are no problems with your paperwork.

Additional Rebate Resources 

Energy Assessment

To book a free Energy Assessment of your home with a Mass Save Specialist, dial 1-866-527-SAVE (7283), or ask a Mass Save Participating Contractor to get the assessment scheduled for you.

You can also start your assessment online at https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/energy-assessments.

Eligible Products

There are over 127,000 eligible products on Mass Save’s Residential Heat Pump Qualified Product List (HPQPL). This list was created by the Sponsors of Mass Save with third-party data to determine the most energy-efficient heat pump systems for the ever-changing Massachusetts’ climate. You can search based on brand, model, capacity, and more to find the right fit. Make sure you verify that your product is on the list before purchasing if you are making the switch to an air source heat pump specifically to take advantage of available rebates.

Starting January 1, 2023, the U.S. will issue updated heat pump standards, resulting in the update of SEER and HSPF efficiency ratings. You will now begin seeing HSPF2 and SEER2 ratings, and Mass Save program efficiency requirements for residential heat pump systems to align with the new criteria. Mass Save will continue accepting products that meet either SEER, SEER2, HSPF, or HSPF2 ratings for rebate and HEAT Loan programs through December 31, 2023. Beginning January 1, 2024, Mass Save will only accept equipment with updated federal ratings.

You can access the Residential Heat Pump Qualified Product List (HPQPL) here: https://www.masssave.com/saving/residential-rebates/air-source-heat-pumps/heat-pump-qualified-list

Eligible Contractors

Mass Save recognizes three types of HVAC contractors – Independent Installation Contractors, Home Performance Contractors, and Participating Heat Pump Installers. Get details and contact information below.

Independent Installation Contractors

Once your energy assessment has been completed, Mass Save will assign an Independent Installation Contractor (IIC) to your case to complete air sealing and installation upgrades. The price of service is the same between all participating contractors, so there’s no need to call multiple organizations to get quotes. If you would like to choose your own Independent Installation Contractor to complete your upgrades instead of having one assigned to you, you can access the list of approved IIC’s here: https://www.masssave.com/en/learn/find-a-contractor-iic

Home Performance Contractors

Home Performance Contractors, or HPCs, can either perform your initial energy assessment, install your upgrades, or both. If you choose to have an HPC, your assessment and upgrades will be performed consecutively. Air sealing, insulation upgrades, and other recommended energy-efficient updates will be completed by the same contractor at a follow-up appointment. Like IICs, pricing between HPCs is the same.

Find a Mass Save Home Performance Contractor here: https://www.masssave.com/en/learn/find-a-contractor-hpc

Participating Heat Pump Installers

Once your home assessment and energy upgrades are complete, you will need to work with a Mass Save Heat Pump Installer to finish the setup of your new HVAC system. All contractors participating in the program are insured and licensed to ensure quality service and customer peace of mind. Your installation technician will install your air source heat pump, walk you through how to use it, and make sure everything is working appropriately before leaving your home. Many contractors are also able to apply for your rebate for you, especially if they offered you the discount on the front end.

You can find an approved Mass Save Heat Pump Installer here: https://www.masssave.com/en/learn/find-a-heat-pump-installer

Income Verification

You can find out if you pre-qualify for income-based programs through Mass Save here: https://masssave-qualify.clearesult.com/

You will be asked to answer a few short questions and create an account to confirm your eligibility for income-restricted heat pump benefits.

HEAT Loan Providers & Portals

Browse more than 100 HEAT Loan providers and lenders here: https://www.masssave.com/saving/residential-rebates/heat-loan-program/heat-loan-lender-list

Comparison Calculator

Plug in data from your own home to calculate the annual cost of heating and cooling your home and your total carbon emissions, and how much you can save by switching to an air source heat pump here with Mass Save’s Heating Comparison Calculator: https://www.masssave.com/saving/heating-comparison-calculator

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Mass Save® Rebates

Where does Mass Save get the money for rebates and cost-savings programs?

Funding for the Mass Save Heat Pump Rebate Program comes out of the energy efficiency charge that is assessed to all Massachusetts gas and electric customers.

How long will I be waiting to receive my rebate?

If you have followed the process and submitted all the required documentation, you can expect to receive your rebate check within 10 to 12 weeks.

Can I designate my rebate to go directly to my HVAC contractor?

Yes. If you choose an HVAC contractor who has been accepted as a Mass Save Verified 3rd Party Designee, you can designate your rebate to go to the contractor instead of yourself. Some contractors will actually apply on behalf of their customers and deduct the rebate amount from the total project cost, which can save homeowners more money up front. Then, the contractor receives the payment on the back end while you’re already enjoying your new heating and cooling system.

When looking for an HVAC contractor who can install a rebate-qualifying system, you should check to see if they are a Mass Save Verified 3rd Party Designee. This extra verification step allows you to choose to have the rebate go to the installer instead of yourself without worrying about sending it to a potentially shady contractor.

Will my system be inspected after installation?

Mass Save offers post-installation and weatherization inspections at no additional cost following the installation of a program-eligible air-source heat pump system.

When do I need integrated controls?

If you are applying for a partial-home rebate because you plan to use your new heat pump to supplement an existing propane, oil, or natural gas system, you will need to have integrated controls installed.

Integrated controls allow homeowners to automatically switch between using their existing heating system and a heat pump when the outdoor temperature reaches a predetermined threshold. There are several types of integrated controls on heat pumps. This helps residents minimize their fossil fuel consumption while maintaining home comfort.

The most commonly used integrated controls for heat pumps are thermostats, timers, and limit switches. Thermostats control the temperature of the heat pump, while timers control the amount of time the heat pump is turned on. Limit switches prevent the heat pump from overheating when run continuously in very cold temperatures.

Installing integrated controls does add to the total cost of your project, but the rebate can help offset some of these expenses. These controls can also help you save more money on your energy bill over time. So, once you have your new controls installed, you can sit back and enjoy the increased savings and comfort that they provide.

Can I use an air-source heat pump with solar?

Yes. Heat pumps are compatible with many power sources and work similarly to how your washer, dryer, or other appliances do with solar power. Simply connect your new heat pump to your solar power supply and enjoy maximum energy savings and a lower carbon footprint.

Contact Mass Save

The Mass Save® Heat Pump Rebate Program is a great way to save money on your energy bills. With rebates of up to $16,000 or more, it’s an easy and affordable way to upgrade your home’s heating and cooling system.

You can reach out to Mass Save directly with questions or concerns about the rebate programs or the HEAT Loan here:

Rebates

1-800-232-0672

Energy Assessment & HEAT Loan

1-866-527-7283

MassSaveRebates@efi.org

About N.E.T.R., Inc.

N.E.T.R., Inc. is a leading heating and cooling provider in Eastern Massachusetts and has been serving Boston and surrounding areas since 1989. We pride ourselves in offering the highest quality service, guaranteed parts and equipment, and expert installation, maintenance, and repair.

Contact Us

85 Flagship Drive, Unit E

North Andover, MA 01845

781-933-6387

info@netrinc.com