The Sponsors of Mass Save implement energy efficiency programs aimed to help Massachusetts residents save money and energy through energy efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explain what you need to know about the Mass Save HEAT Loan, a financing option that makes it easier and more affordable to make energy-efficient upgrades. We’ll discuss how you can apply for the loan and common questions about how it works.
Key takeaways
Mass Save Sponsors have several energy-efficient incentives and rebates available if you live in Massachusetts and are their customer (for gas or electric utilities).
Mass Save’s HEAT Loan is a zero percent financing option for up to $50,000 with terms up to seven years to install energy-efficient upgrades.
Following your installation, you’ll need to submit any paperwork (or confirm your contractor submits paperwork) to get any rebates you’re eligible for, confirm the installation for the HEAT Loan, and complete your verification inspection.
You can contact Mass Save via phone at 1-866-527-7283 with questions about heat pumps and the HEAT Loan process.
Visit the EnergySage Marketplace to receive quotes from local installers and save money by pairing your air source heat pumps with solar!
What’s included in this guide?
What’s Mass Save?
Mass Save is a collaboration of Massachusetts electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers joining forces with a common goal to help Massachusetts residents and business owners save money and energy. Mass Save Sponsors offer a variety of helpful programs for homeowners, renters, and landlords to save on various energy-efficient upgrades to their homes or buildings.
The Sponsors of Mass Save work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and funding comes from a charge on consumers’ energy bills. So, if you live in Massachusetts and are a customer of a participating sponsor, you should take advantage of the unique programs, savings, and resources they offer to save even more money when you make more efficient clean energy upgrades to your home.
What is the Mass Save HEAT Loan?
The Mass Save HEAT Loan offers interest-free financing up to $50,000 (yes, 0% interest!) for energy-efficient home upgrades, including air source heat pumps (central or ductless mini-split), ground source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, insulation, and more. It’s a great program that makes electrifying your home much more accessible. Just like any loan, there are some steps you’ll have to take to confirm eligibility, apply, and provide documentation.
Are you eligible for the Mass Save HEAT Loan?
To be eligible for the HEAT Loan, you must:
Own a home in Massachusetts
Be a customer of a provider in the Mass Save Program: Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and/or Unitil
Have a current residential electric and/or gas account
Use the financing for qualifying energy-efficient improvements outlined within the HEAT Loan packet (such as air source heat pumps)
Obtain loan approval from a participating Mass Save HEAT Loan lender
Five steps to getting a HEAT Loan
Here’s what you’ll need to do in order to get your HEAT Loan:
1. Schedule and get your free Mass Save Energy Assessment
You must first complete a no-cost home energy assessment to qualify for most Mass Save programs and rebates. You can call Mass Save at 1-866-527-SAVE (7283) to schedule yours or find information on virtual assessments.
During the assessment, an energy specialist will note opportunities for energy efficiency adjustments to your home, including upgrading your lighting to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, adding insulation, installing advanced power strips, and more. Before leaving your home, the home energy auditor will complete and provide you with a copy of a HEAT Loan Intake Form. This form will help you move forward with your HEAT Loan financing process. If you previously had an audit before but cannot find your HEAT Loan Intake Form, don’t worry! You can call Mass Save for help as they should have a copy of your Intake Form on file.
2. Find and contact a contractor
Next you’ll want to search for and choose a contractor based on the project you need completed. You can find contractors on the approved Mass Save list here. We recommend getting multiple quotes from licensed and insured contractors before choosing one. When you decide on a contractor, make sure to get a signed proposal on their official letterhead.
3. Submit your HEAT Loan Intake Form and application online
Next, you’ll use the Mass Save Heat Loan online portal to complete and submit a copy of the Intake Form. If you haven’t visited the portal before, you’ll first need to verify your account. We detail this application process here specifically for heat pumps, and you can use the same process for other HEAT Loan upgrades.
4. Secure your HEAT Loan with a lender
You’ll then want to find an approved Mass Save HEAT Loan lender to secure your financing.
We’ve heard from homeowners who have used the Mass Save HEAT Loan that the most significant lift is finding a lender near you and securing the loan. This part of the process could take up to a few weeks.
5. Confirm and work with your contractor to install your equipment
Finally, you’ll confirm and sign the contract with your heat pump contractor and schedule your installation. You’ll pay your contractor and can then also apply for any Mass Save rebates as well.
Mass Save HEAT Loan resources
If you need support or have questions about the Mass Save HEAT Loan throughout the process, we’ve compiled some resources that might help:
Mass Save HEAT Loan portal for Eversource and National Grid customers
Mass Save HEAT Loan portal for Cape Light Compact, Unitil Electric, and Liberty customers (if you live in a municipal electric town)
Your contractor may also be able to help you with Mass Save details. Still, you’ll want to confirm that any information you receive is correct via the Mass Save portal and documentation because the details, offerings, and incentives may change over time.
Other ways to save with Mass Save
The Mass Save HEAT Loan isn’t the only way you can save on making efficient clean energy upgrades in your home. Several other rebates are available for the integrated controls that switch between your heat pumps and a backup heating system, weatherization and home insulation, appliances, appliance recycling, and more.
Also, you can actually get the HEAT Loan twice; you just can’t go over the $50,000 maximum amount. For example, if you already took out a $10,000 HEAT Loan for another energy efficiency upgrade, you can take out another $40,000 more for air source heat pumps. You’d just need to follow the regular process again.
Learn about all of the Mass Save rebates and incentives available to you.
Save more and increase energy efficiency with solar
Interested in learning more about energy-efficient technologies and how they can help you save money (and the environment)? Check out our articles about energy efficiency to learn more about the steps of an energy audit, other energy efficiency financing options, and why Massachusetts utilities like National Grid and Eversource support energy efficiency with rebates and incentives. You can also easily create a free account on the EnergySage Marketplace to get solar quotes, compare offers side by side from qualified, pre-vetted installers near you, and even speak with an Energy Advisor if you have any questions.
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