Mass Save Community Insights

Welcome

Welcome to Mass Save® Community Insights, a quarterly e-newsletter for municipal leaders and staff across Massachusetts.

This newsletter provides updates on energy efficiency activity in communities across the commonwealth. Each edition includes statewide highlights, program resources, and examples of projects completed in cities and towns throughout Massachusetts.

What's new?

Program Updates: Strengthening Oversight and Consumer Protections,
September 23, 2026

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, the Sponsors of Mass Save have implemented new measures to further strengthen program oversight, enhance customer protections and support high-quality outcomes.

Explore the latest program enhancements and participating contractor requirements

Seasonal Heat Pump Rates

Massachusetts' electric utilities now offer seasonal heat pump rates that help eligible residents reduce winter heating costs. Designed for households that heat their homes with electric heat pumps, these rates make adopting energy efficient heating technologies more affordable.

Last winter, more than 144,000 Massachusetts households were enrolled, helping reduce heating costs during the coldest months of the year.

Municipality Hub now available

The new Mass Save Municipality Hub is now live, providing municipal leaders with a centralized destination for programs, incentives, resources, tools, and success stories that support local energy efficiency and electrification efforts.

Program results in action

_{Photo Credit: David MaDonald, MAPC}

The inaugural Municipal Energy and Sustainability Managers Academy celebration recognized the accomplishments of the program's first cohort, including:

• 38 energy managers and municipal staff

• 60+ municipalities represented

• 3.5 million gross kWh and 101,000 gross therms from projects under construction or completed

• 62 comprehensive business assessments, portfolio prioritization plans, and scoping studies underway or completed

Customer awareness, trust, and interest continue to grow

Recent survey findings show continued positive momentum across key customer metrics for Mass Save programs.

Customers increasingly view Mass Save programs, including Home Energy Assessments and heating and cooling incentives, as a trusted resource, and more customers recognize benefits beyond cost savings, including comfort, resilience, and sustainability.

Upcoming events and information to share with your community

Dehumidifier recycling events

Residents can recycle an eligible working dehumidifier and receive a $30 rebate. See all upcoming events here.

Main Streets

The Mass Save Main Streets initiative helps participating communities connect local small businesses with energy-saving opportunities and incentives. See if your community is participating.

Community Education Grant information session

The Mass Save Community Education Grant supports community-based energy efficiency education and outreach. Join the next information session on October 8 to learn more about the application process. Email [email protected] to register.

Green Communities Competitive Grant

Municipalities pursuing energy efficiency and electrification projects may be eligible for additional funding through the Green Communities Competitive Grant. These grants can complement Mass Save offerings. Applications are due October 9, 2026. See available grant opportunities.

Past events

K-12 Heat Pump Retrofits Webinar

Missed the webinar? Watch the recording to learn about heat pump upgrade opportunities in K-12 schools through the Massachusetts School Business Authority’s Accelerated Repair Program and available Mass Save technical assistance.

In case you missed it

Incentives for municipal buildings

Municipalities may be eligible for incentives and technical support for projects that improve building performance and reduce energy use. Existing Building Commissioning (EBCx) helps identify operational improvements in existing buildings that optimize system performance and uncover energy-saving opportunities.

Ground source heat pump tax incentives

Federal tax incentives for qualifying ground source heat pump projects remain available to municipalities and school districts through the "elective pay" option. Several communities have already received reimbursements for eligible installations, helping offset project costs while improving building performance.

Planning a ground source heat pump project or major facility upgrade? The Mass Save New Construction & Major Renovations program can support high performance building projects.

Communities in the news