THE PATH TO CARBON NEUTRAL

Discover how the Sponsors of Mass Save® are transforming the market to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and equitably deliver energy savings across the Commonwealth.
Sunny view of a river walkway in Massachusetts with factory buildings in the background

Creating a more sustainable energy future for Massachusetts

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

The Mass Save energy efficiency programs continued to drive meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023. These programs resulted in 223,000 metric tons of CO2 avoided. That’s the equivalent of taking over 53,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for one year. In addition, the energy efficiency programs resulted in 63 million MMBtus savings across all fuel types, which equates to offsetting the total energy usage of more than 718,000 Massachusetts homes for one year.

All told, program participants took advantage of $755 million in incentives and enjoyed $2.35 billion worth of total benefits, including 3.2 million MWh in electric savings, 361 million therms saved and 93 MW in summer demand savings. Through the programs, heat pumps were installed in over 28,000 homes, thanks in part to a sizable expansion of the Heat Pump Installer Network. In addition, 55,500 homes were weatherized.

The Sponsors acknowledge the efforts of many stakeholders that helped drive success in 2023. In particular, the Sponsors express their appreciation for the work of the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Council (EEAC) and its leaders at the Department of Energy Resources, along with the members of the Equity Working Group and the Commercial & Industrial Working Group.

2023 RESULTS

  • 223,000 metric tons of CO2 avoided*
  • $2.35 billion in total benefits
  • 63 million MMBtus savings from all fuel types**
  • 3.2 million MWh in electric savings**
  • 361 million therms saved**
  • 93 MW in summer demand savings
  • $755 million in incentives paid
  • 14k rental units served
  • 22k commercial and industrial participants
  • 28k homes with heat pumps installed
  • 55.5k homes weatherized

* That will contribute to the 2030 climate goal
** Net lifetime savings

LEADING THE WAY ON GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTIONS

Our 2022–2024 Three-Year Plan continues to support the Commonwealth’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan reflects our dedication to realizing the goals of the 2021 and 2022 Climate Acts: putting Massachusetts on the path to net zero emissions by 2050, with increased program access for all residents and businesses. The Sponsors of Mass Save continue to drive weatherization and electrification in the building sector through heating and cooling technologies along with other decarbonization efforts.

Building weatherization remains a foundational measure for achieving greenhouse gas reductions by reducing energy consumption and optimizing sizing of high-efficiency heat pump technologies. Proper weatherization can lower energy consumption from heating and cooling by up to 20%. In 2023, 55,500 homes and businesses were weatherized. In addition, most of the homes that installed heat pumps in 2023 were weatherized, further reducing carbon emissions

Achieving net zero requires widespread customer adoption of electrification technologies. The Sponsors made exceptional strides on this front in 2023. Heat pump installations remain the linchpin of our electrification effort, and 2023 results were impressive. In 2023, the Sponsors supported the installation of heat pumps in over 28,000 homes, which is nearly 140% of the annual residential heat pump goal. Of those installations, 60% were “full displacements” to further drive decarbonization within each home. To further support electrification efforts, we provided 1,305 heating and cooling consultations in 2023. Heat pumps were the most common topic of discussion, with one customer noting that the consultation “communicated well the information I was looking for.”

28,000 Heat Pumps
Heat pumps were installed in over 28,000 Massachusetts homes in 2023; nearly 140% of the annual heat pump goal.
100% Expansion
Heat Pump Installer Network year over year

Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Commissioner Staci Rubin and Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony alongside representatives from Arlington Public Schools, a 2023 Mass Save Climate Leader, and supporting Mass Save Sponsors

We are thrilled to work alongside the Sponsors of Mass Save to reach new communities in Massachusetts who want to increase their energy savings and improve home comfort. We look forward to increasing program accessibility in Massachusetts for both residents and businesses and helping them work towards a cleaner, more electric future.

– Keishaa Austin, head of community at Rewiring America

YOUR PATH TO HOME ELECTRIFICATION

The Sponsors of Mass Save have created a step-by-step process to home electrification based on research and best practices.

  • Step 1: Weatherize Your Home

    Weatherization, including insulation and air sealing, helps reduce the amount of energy your home uses to stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. This can dramatically improve the comfort of your home and may allow you to buy a smaller, less expensive heating and cooling system.
  • Step 2: Consider Your Electric Panel

    If you haven’t upgraded your home’s electrical panel, consult a qualified electrician. An upgrade may be necessary to prepare your home for electrification and can be included in a 0% interest loan through the Mass Save HEAT Loan Program
  • Step 3: Electrify Your Heating, Cooling and Major Appliances

    Get off fossil fuels and switch to all-electric options for your major home systems like space heating, water heating and cooking.
  • Step 4: Electrify Your Small Appliances and Tools

    Options for electric lawn mowers, small appliances and more can help you fully electrify your home.
  • Step 5: Power With Renewables and Battery Storage

    Installing solar panels and a battery storage system or subscribing to a community solar plan means you can power your electrified home with 100% renewable energy.

ENHANCING PROGRAM ACCESS FOR ALL

Providing energy efficiency solutions for all residents and businesses across the Commonwealth remains a top priority. The Sponsors of Mass Save identified groups with historically lower rates of participation — including under-resourced communities, renters and landlords, moderate-income customers, customers who speak a language other than English and small businesses — and facilitated equitable access to program benefits.

Collaboration with community partners is critical. Our partners include the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN), Massachusetts Community Action Agencies and local development and assistance programs. Together, we’ve developed effective strategies, incentives and targeted messaging, resulting in increased access to energy solutions

The Sponsors work closely with trusted local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to support low-income customers, defined as households earning 60% or below the state median income, to provide weatherization, remove weatherization barriers such as asbestos and install new heat pumps at no cost. CAA partners deliver complete project management, providing guidance, technical expertise and contractor management and oversight to ensure the most appropriate decarbonization strategy in consultation with low-income customers. Additionally, moderate-income customers (those earning 61-80% of state median income) qualify for enhanced incentives, including no-cost weatherization upgrades, greater rebates and more. In 2023, over 9,500 homes of low and moderate income customers were weatherized. Furthermore, nearly 2,800 heat pumps were installed in homes of low-and moderate-income customers. We’ve also enhanced our website to allow customers to input household income information and increase the visibility of income-based offers.

The Sponsors also increased outreach to renters through the Strategic Renters Plan, which promotes a 100% weatherization incentive for rental units and improves outreach to multifamily properties. To drive these efforts, the Sponsors have developed educational content, including multilingual videos, specifically for renters and landlords. Additional resources include webinars in multiple languages, including Haitian Creole and Spanish. In 2023, over 14k rental units were served.

91 Main Street Events were held
in 2023
Over 14k Rental Units Served
in 2023

STRENGTHENING AND DIVERSIFYING THE WORKFORCE

The energy efficiency workforce has grown to approximately 75,000 strong in Massachusetts. Our continued success requires not only meeting ambitious building efficiency, energy savings and decarbonization goals. We must also develop a more representative energy efficiency workforce and supply chains that serve all customers equitably and reflect the diversity of the communities that comprise the Commonwealth.

Toward that end, the Sponsors of Mass Save have increased engagement with minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). For example, the Sponsors hosted Supplier Diversity Summits to encourage minority suppliers’ participation in Mass Save programs. MWBE members had the opportunity to speak with current lead vendors, sign up for the SAP Business Network’s Ariba app to receive information about RFPs and network with staff from the Sponsors and other MWBEs. A guide was also developed and distributed to diverse suppliers to serve as a resource for how to work with the Sponsors. The document provides helpful links, an opportunity overview, a summary of the Mass Save offerings and services, contact information and more.

Another 2023 success story was our Clean Energy Pathways program, which provides three-month paid internships to new entrants who are interested in the clean energy workforce, especially young adults of diverse backgrounds. This program partners with MassHire Workforce Boards and Career Centers, technical schools and post-secondary institutions along with several diverse community-based organizations that have rich local networks. In 2023, the 25 interns placed in the program gained real-world experience with HVAC, weatherization and building management systems. Of the 22 interns who completed the program, 14 have already achieved its ultimate goal: full-time job offers. These efforts also include providing energy efficiency career education in high schools and upskilling contractors and workers. The program is just one example of the Sponsors’ ongoing efforts to sustain a broad, fully represented energy efficiency workforce.

The Mass Save Workforce Partnership Grant, designed to increase the sustainability of the energy efficiency workforce by prioritizing funding within Environmental Justice Communities to upskill contractors and transition new workers, had great success in 2023. Overall, 17 organizations applied across 12 Environmental Justice Communities. Four awardees received a total of $156,528 in grant funding to apply toward contractor training and transitioning new workers into the energy efficiency workforce.

Significant updates were made to MassSave.com to enhance the resources, tools and information available to trade partners, including an events and training calendar as well as a career board. In conjunction with the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Partnership, the Sponsors offered nine training classes in 2023. Vendor attendance was generally strong.

In addition, the Sponsors offered a discounted rate on Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Auditor training to all small-business turnkey program vendors.

Moreover, to achieve the Commonwealth’s strategically diversified workforce development and net zero greenhouse gas objectives, we continue to work collaboratively with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and engage with state agencies, community-based organizations and educational institutions to achieve these ambitious clean energy goals.

Clean Energy Pathways interns at graduation

Lowering the barriers to entering the clean energy industry is a top priority. Many young adults want to seek out a career in clean energy but don’t have the access or resources to start that process. Our goal is to bridge that gap, creating job opportunities and a more diverse workforce while also making strides towards a clean energy future. It’s an honor to watch their confidence and skills grow over the course of the program and watch them find personal success.

– Christopher Porter, director, Customer Energy Management, at National Grid

A session at the Supplier Diversity Summit

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

I graduated from high school and didn’t have much direction. I felt very overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do. This program gave purpose and motivated me.

– Clean Energy Pathways intern reflecting at graduation

This $1.3 million renovation project at Chestnut Manor is an example of the low-income climate equity work that Community Action Agencies like ABCD engage in on a daily basis in hundreds of communities. We are pleased to have been a partner in the Chestnut Manor project alongside the Arlington Housing Authority and Eversource, a Mass Save Sponsor who has been a great collaborator over the years

– Sharon Scott-Chandler, president and CEO at ABCD

TOWN-BY-TOWN SAVINGS IN 2022

Overhead view of a Massachusetts town with fall colored trees and a church area