New Year, Smart Energy Choices: Simple Steps to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient in 2026 

The start of a new year is a wonderful time to rethink habits and home upgrades that can make everyday life easier and more affordable. Whether you’re looking for simple energy-saving tips, considering energy-efficient upgrades, or planning bigger improvements, the Sponsors of Mass Save® can help residents across Massachusetts make smart energy choices this year.

From easy changes you can make today to longer-term upgrades that improve efficiency year after year, having the right resources can make all the difference. Here are a few simple steps to help you create a more energy-efficient, comfortable home this year.

Understand your opportunities to improve energy efficiency

The first step toward increased energy efficiency is understanding how you use energy at home and where improvements can make the biggest impact. The Sponsors of Mass Save make this easy with a no-cost Home Energy Assessment.

During the assessment, a trained Energy Specialist will conduct a thorough review of your home to identify energy-saving opportunities. They’ll look for air leaks and drafts, inspect key systems and areas throughout your home, and provide tailored recommendations to improve efficiency and comfort. The Energy Specialist will also help you navigate available rebates, incentives, and 0% financing options.

After the Home Energy Assessment, you’ll receive a customized energy report outlining clear next steps and the specific rebates and incentives you may qualify for, including:

• 75-100% off approved insulation improvements.
• No-cost targeted air sealing.
• Rebates of up to $8,500 on qualifying energy-efficient heating, cooling and/or water-heating equipment.
• The opportunity to apply for 0% financing through the Mass Save HEAT Loan Program for eligible upgrades.

With expert guidance and valuable incentives, a no-cost Home Energy Assessment can help you prioritize the improvements that matter most, making it easier to start saving money and energy. Call 866-527-SAVE (7283) or visit MassSave.com/HEA to schedule your assessment.

Take the Next Step with Insulation and Air Sealing

During a Home Energy Assessment, an Energy Specialist will identify air leaks and drafts throughout your home that can lead to discomfort. Insulation helps your home maintain the temperature you want, keeping the heat inside during the winter and the air cool in the summer, while air sealing closes the small gaps and cracks where air tends to escape, such as in attics, basements, and around piping, windows and doors.

Using materials like caulk, spray foam, and weatherstripping, air sealing blocks those leaks to reduce drafts, improve energy efficiency, and make your home more comfortable no matter the season.

Weatherizing your home through insulation upgrades and air sealing is often the first and one of the most important next steps following your Home Energy Assessment. Not only can weatherization help lower heating and cooling costs by up to 15%, but it also sets your home up for success with future energy efficiency upgrades.

Energy-efficient upgrades can include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, heat pump water heaters, and other improvements designed to reduce energy use and improve comfort. A tighter, better-insulated home means these systems can work more efficiently, improving comfort and maximizing the value of Mass Save rebates and incentives.

Weatherizing your home can also help:

• Reduce drafts for improved comfort and humidity control year-round
• Minimize outside noise for a quieter home
• Help keep allergens and pests out
• Reduce the risk of ice dams, protecting your home from damage

By weatherizing your home, you’re creating a strong foundation for long-term energy savings, making the next steps in your energy efficiency journey even more impactful. Through Mass Save rebates and incentives, you may qualify for 75–100% off approved insulation improvements and no-cost targeted air sealing.

Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling System

To improve year-round comfort and efficiency, consider switching to a heat pump, a highly efficient heating and cooling system that uses electricity to move heat from one place to another, instead of generating it. Heat pumps can both heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer, making them a versatile, energy-saving option.

Types of Heat Pumps

There are three major types of heat pumps: air source, ground source, and air-to-water. Here’s how each heats and cools your home throughout the year.

• Air Source Heat Pumps: Extract heat from the outdoor air and distribute it inside your home to provide heating. During warmer months, the process reverses to provide cooling.
• Ground Source Heat Pumps: Draw heat from the ground during cold weather and distribute it throughout your home. In the summer, the process reverses for cooling.
• Air-to-Water Heat Pumps: Like air source heat pumps, but instead of distributing heat via air, they deliver it through water piped throughout your home.

This is a great next step to consider after weatherizing your home. Once your insulation and air sealing are in place, upgrading your heating and cooling system can maximize comfort and energy savings.

Virtual Decarbonization Consultation

After completing a Home Energy Assessment, homeowners who are interested in upgrading their heating and cooling system can take the next step with a no-cost virtual Decarbonization Consultation to help plan your path to an electrified, energy-efficient home. During your consultation, trained specialists will:

• Provide guidance about the benefits and considerations of transitioning to a new heating system 
• Answer technical questions about how heating and cooling systems work, and how systems can be used most efficiently   
• Help you make informed decisions specific to your goals and the unique needs of your home   
• Discuss steps to make your home even more efficient in advance of a new system, like making weatherization upgrades   

Learn more about Decarbonization Consultations on the blog here.

Heat Pump Rebates and Incentives

The Sponsors of Mass Save can help you make the switch more affordable with heat pump rebates and incentives that vary based on system type, size, and whether it serves as your sole heating and cooling source or supplements an existing system. Rebates are available for whole and partial-home installations, as well as for basic equipment upgrades. Visit our webpage for a complete guide to rebates, participation steps, and eligibility requirements. 

Easy Upgrades to Boost Efficiency

If you’re not quite ready to take bigger steps like switching to a heat pump or completing full weatherization, there are smaller actions you can take right now to improve energy efficiency and comfort.

Smart and Programmable Thermostats

Installing smart and programmable thermostats is one of those easy actions, helping manage your home's temperature and improve energy efficiency. They allow you to stay comfortable while minimizing unnecessary heating or cooling when you’re away, saving both energy and money.

• Smart thermostats use sensors and automation to adjust based on your daily routines and changing weather. They can also be monitored and controlled from your smartphone, giving you flexibility and control no matter where you are.
• Programmable thermostats help save energy by following set schedules, though they don’t adjust automatically like smart thermostats.

The Sponsors of Mass Save offer rebates and incentives for upgrading your thermostat, making this a cost-effective way to start improving efficiency and savings in your home.

Upgrade your appliances and products to energy-efficient models

Additionally, upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and products can have a big impact on your home’s overall efficiency. From washers and dryers to lawn equipment, pool pumps, and more, these upgrades help your home use less energy while maintaining the performance you expect.

Also, see if you qualify for income-based assistance to make energy-efficient appliances and upgrades more affordable by either further lowering or eliminating upfront costs and making your home more efficient.

By choosing energy-efficient appliances, you’re taking another practical step in your energy-efficiency journey and setting your home up for long-term savings. Taking these smaller steps now can help you get comfortable with energy-saving upgrades and prepare your home for larger improvements like weatherization or heat pumps in the future.

So, add making smart energy choices to your list of resolutions. From simple upgrades to major improvements, Mass Save programs and incentives make it easier than ever to save energy, improve efficiency and boost comfort all year long.