Installing a new heating system: a Massachusetts homeowner’s guide

Installing a new heating system is a major home upgrade, and making the right choices can save you time, money, and stress. Whether you’re replacing an old furnace, upgrading to a more energy-efficient system, or installing a heat pump for the first time, understanding your options is key.

The Sponsors of Mass Save® offer rebates on heat pumps, access to 0% financing, and guidance and resources to make choosing the right heating system easier. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from selecting the best system for your Massachusetts home to preparing for installation and hiring a qualified contractor, so you can feel confident every step of the way.

Signs You Might Need a New Heating System

So, how do you know it’s time for a new heating system? Some common signs that it might be time to upgrade include:

• Uneven heating: Some rooms are too hot or too cold.
• Using more energy: Your system is using more energy than before.
• Frequent repairs: You keep calling for fixes.
• Strange noises or smells: Unusual sounds or odors coming from your system.

Still thinking about putting off a new heating system? Replacing your system before it completely fails can prevent emergency situations and improve your home’s comfort and efficiency.

Understanding Your Heating System Options

Choosing the right heating system is an important first step for any homeowner. Consider the size of your home, energy efficiency, and your family’s comfort needs. Here are the types of heating systems that homeowners most commonly use:

• Furnaces: Furnaces heat air using gas, oil, propane, or electricity. A fan pushes the warm air through ducts to heat your rooms. Furnaces are very common because the same ductwork can also provide air conditioning.
• Boilers: Boilers heat water and send it through pipes to radiators, baseboards, or floors and give steady, even heat without blowing air.
• Heat Pumps: Heat pumps work like an air conditioner that can also heat your home by moving heat from the outside air, ground, or water indoors. They can be ducted, using existing ductwork to distribute air, or a ductless mini-split, which delivers heating and cooling directly to individual rooms. Heat pumps are very energy efficient and provide both heating and cooling.

It’s important to note that because a heat pump runs on electricity, using one will increase your electric usage, but in many cases, the extra electricity is offset by savings from reducing or eliminating other heating fuels, like propane or oil.

If you’re adding a heat pump where there wasn’t previously air conditioning, it will add electric use. Massachusetts’ electric utilities now offer seasonal heat pump rates designed to reduce winter energy costs for residential customers who heat their homes with electric heat pumps. Rates vary by utility but generally offer lower distribution charges in colder months, encouraging broader heat pump adoption.

When it comes to understanding your system better, a great place to start is with a no-cost Home Energy Assessment from the Sponsors of Mass Save. This assessment helps you learn about available rebates and incentives, evaluate your home’s current heating system, and identify ways to improve energy efficiency. It also looks at important factors like insulation and air sealing, ensuring your home is properly weatherized so your heating system can work as efficiently as possible, and can even help you make those improvements.

Explore Mass Save rebates and incentives, which are available specifically for air and ground source heat pumps, as well as 0% financing. Heat pumps are also available at no cost for income qualifying customers. This is a great opportunity to consider these energy-efficient options when updating your heating system.

The Sponsors of Mass Save also offer no-cost virtual Decarbonization Consultations with trained specialists who can guide you through your heating system upgrade. During these consultations, specialists can:

• Provide guidance about the benefits and considerations of transitioning to a new heating system, like heat pumps.
• Answer technical questions about how heating 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 (air sealing and insulation) upgrades.

You can also use the Mass Save® Heating Comparison Calculator to compare the yearly costs and potential savings of different systems. It shows how a high-efficiency heating system could impact your heating costs and reduce your carbon footprint.

Hiring a Qualified HVAC Contractor in Massachusetts

Once you’ve assessed your home’s heating needs, chosen the type of system, and set a budget, you’re ready for the next step: hiring a professional for the installation.

A qualified HVAC contractor will make sure your system is installed correctly and safely. They can also share maintenance tips to help extend the life of your system and guide you toward energy-efficient models that offer long-term savings. When choosing a contractor, look for someone who:

• Is licensed and insured
• Has experience with residential heating systems
• Provides clear estimates and warranties
• Has positive reviews or local references

If you’re thinking about installing a heat pump, be sure to check out the Mass Save® Heat Pump Installer Network, a network of contractors that have provided proof of EPA certification and insurance in Massachusetts and have completed heat pump installation training. Working with a participating contractor is required to be eligible for a Mass Save heat pump rebate.

It’s also recommended that you get at least three estimates from different installers to help ensure you’re finding the best fit for your home and budget. During the Decarbonization Consultation, your trained specialist can provide guidance on heat pump options and help compare up to three quotes from participating contractors. You can find a trusted, participating contractor near you here.

Considering Your Thermostat Options

When it comes to controlling your home’s temperature, smart and programmable thermostats help you manage energy use and costs more efficiently. You can keep your home comfortable while you’re home and reduce unnecessary heating when you’re not, saving energy and benefiting the environment.

Smart thermostats use sensors and automation to adjust based on your daily habits and changing weather. They can also be monitored and adjusted from your smartphone, making it easy to stay in control no matter where you are.

Benefits of using a smart thermostat include:

• Monitoring and changing your home’s temperature setting remotely via your smartphone, computer, or tablet.
• Setting up smart control features to allow the thermostat to automatically adjust to local weather conditions.
• Programming detailed schedules, to the degree, for particular times and days.
• Receiving and responding to alerts via smartphone, email, or text messages.
• Recognizing when rooms are unoccupied and changing the temperature to a more efficient setting.
• Being able to participate in the ConnectedSolutions program to earn incentives by reducing energy use during high-demand periods.

Programmable thermostats also help save energy, but they rely on set schedules and do not adjust automatically based on weather or whether someone is home.

Benefits of using a programmable thermostat include:

• Keeping your home at the right temperature without constant manual changes.
• Setting your daily temperature plans in advance.
• Preventing unnecessary heating or cooling, which helps the environment.
• Reducing strain on your heating and cooling system.

The Sponsors of Mass Save offer rebates and incentives for upgrading your thermostat, making this a great opportunity to improve efficiency and save on your heating costs.

From understanding your options to hiring a qualified contractor and using smart or programmable thermostats, upgrading your home heating system can help it run effectively for years to come. It's also a smart way to improve comfort, save money, and make your home more efficient.

Services, rebates, and incentives from the Sponsors of Mass Save make it easier and more affordable to explore energy-efficient options, including opportunities for system upgrades, thermostat improvements, and home efficiency measures. Through these programs, you can receive guidance and technical support to help you make informed decisions. Take the next step today: schedule a Mass Save Home Energy Assessment or Decarbonization Consultation, explore available rebates and incentives, and see how you can install a new heating system for maximum comfort, efficiency, and savings.