A number of clean, efficient technologies can help Massachusetts homeowners save money on their heating, cooling, and electricity bills while protecting the environment and maintaining a high level of comfort. These technologies include the following:
- Clean Heating & Cooling: Air-source heat pumps (including cold-climate mini splits) and ground-source heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling and can save money on heating and cooling costs. They can also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating or cooling, and provide an alternative to electric resistance heat (i.e., electric baseboard), oil, propane, or other fossil-fuel powered heating/cooling.
- Hot Water: Heat pump water heaters and solar hot water systems can reduce water heating costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with water heating.They provide an alternative to electric or fossil fuel (oil, natural gas, or propane) hot water systems.
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV): Solar PV systems use sunlight to produce electricity and can PV systems can be installed and connected to the building’s electrical system to meet on-site electricity demands.Solar PV can be paired with energy storage to capture “excess” electricity so that it can be used at times when the PV system cannot produce enough to meet the immediate electricity needs for the home (e.g. at night.).
- Energy Storage: Battery technology stores electricity generated from the grid or from accompanying renewable sources (e.g., solar PV systems).The stored electricity is then available to be discharged at a later time to meet on-site electricity demands or demands from the grid. Battery storage paired with on-site solar can help ensure that electricity produced by an on-site solar PV system is fully utilized by the home/building at the site.Battery owners can earn incentives for reducing the load on the grid during peak times by participating in an active demand management program, which allows their electric utility provider to draw energy stored in the battery during times of peak electricity demand to help balance out the electric grid and avoid the use of energy from “peaker plants.”
- Electric Vehicles: There are a variety of different electric vehicle technologies on the market. The most common include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Plug-in hybrid vehicles use both an electric motor, powered by a battery and an internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline, and can be plugged in to an electrical outlet to recharge. Battery electric vehicles use an electric motor powered by a battery, and fuel cell electric vehicles use a fuel cell, instead of a battery (or in combination with a battery or supercapacitor), to power an electric motor.
There are several programs, including programs through Mass Save, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that offer incentives to help residents access clean energy technologies. In many cases, incentives from different programs can be combined to help make clean energy technologies more financially feasible.
Note: Rebate, incentive, and financing programs are not available to all MLP customers. If you are served by an MLP, be sure to verify your eligibility for the program before applying.
Clean Heating & Cooling
Mass Save Clean Heating & Cooling Rebates
- Homeowners may be eligible to receive a rebate from Mass Save for replacing oil, propane, or electric resistance heat with high efficiency electric air source heat pumps.
- Zero percent interest financing through the HEAT Loan is available for eligible clean heating and cooling technologies.
- To get started, view heat pump details and apply online or download a mail-in form.
- Tags: Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Owner, Single Family, CHC, Financing
- Homeowners that install high efficiency air source or ground source heat pumps may be eligible to receive incentives from DOER’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Program.
- To get started, visit the program website to learn more about program criteria and how to apply.
- Tags: Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, MLP, Owner, Single Family, Multifamily, CHC
Hot Water
Mass Save Hot Water Rebates
- Mass Save offers rebates for high efficiency heat pump water heaters.
- Zero percent interest financing through the HEAT Loan is available for eligible water heating technology.
- To get started, view appliance details and apply online or download a mail-in form.
- MassCEC provides rebates for solar hot water systems in 1-4 family homes (Residential Program) and multifamily buildings (Commercial-Scale Program). Additional incentives are available for households with incomes below 120% of the state median income.
- To get started, homeowners should select a solar hot water installer and solicit proposals. The installer will submit the rebate application on the homeowner’s behalf.
- Tags: Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Owner, Single Family, Multifamily, Hot Water
- The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER)’s SMART program provides incentives for solar PV installation throughout the Commonwealth. Upon application approval, the incentive is paid by the utility to the system owner
based on the amount of electricity generated by the system. - Increased incentives are available for solar projects that serve low-income customers, provide community shared solar, or are coupled with energy storage.
- Financing for solar PV on 1-4 unit properties is available through the .
- To get started, visit MassCEC and learn more about the costs of solar systems and performance, find an installer, and see other resources.
- The Mass Solar Loan program matches property owners of 1-4 unit homes to solar installers and lenders that offer low-interest loans for solar projects.
- Low-income customers are eligible for reduced interest rates and additional incentives to reduce loan principal. Residents with low credit scores are encouraged to apply. Eligibility criteria are listed on the program website.
- To get started, review the guide on the Mass Solar Loan website and receive a price quote from a pre-qualified installer.
- The MLP Solar Program offers rebates for solar PV systems in select MLP service territories. Installations of 25 kW or less are eligible for rebates of $1.20 per watt, up to 50% of system costs. More information is available on the program webpage.
- To get started, review the eligibility criteria and contact your municipality or energy program provider to confirm that your MLP still has funding available before submitting a program application.
- Mass Save’s ConnectedSolutions program allows battery owners to earn incentives in exchange for utility access to stored energy in times of peak demand. Participants can earn incentives per kW for a battery’s average kW event contributions to the grid during times of peak demand.
- Eversource and National Grid customers are eligible to participate. To get started, review the list of qualified battery storage systems and complete a program application on the ConnectedSolutions website.
SMART Storage Adder
- The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resource’s SMART program allows solar projects to achieve larger incentive payments by pairing energy storage with new solar installations, by unlocking eligibility to the Energy Storage Adder. The adder value depends on the ratio of energy storage capacity to solar array size and duration of storage discharge. More information on SMART is available on the SMART webpage.
- To get started, talk to your solar installer about adding battery storage to your solar PV system.
- The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resource’s MOR-EV program offers rebates of up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of battery electric vehicles and fuel-cell electric vehicles, and up to $1,500 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Eligibility for the program is independent of utility type; both MLP and investor-owned utility customers are elgible.
- To get started, apply for a rebate within 3 months of the purchase or lease date of a new vehicle with a purchase price less than $50,000.
National Grid and Eversource EV Make Ready
- Through EV Make Ready, Eversource and National Grid are covering 100% of the infrastructure costs for new EV charging stations in multi-unit buildings.
- To get started, Eversource customers should review the Eversource enrollment process guide and application and National Grid customers should download the National Grid application to apply to become and EV charging station host site.
- Private, public or non-profit dwellings with 10 or more units may be eligible for the Multi-Unit Dwelling Charging Program. This includes 60% of the funding, up to $50,000 for EV charger hardware costs. Learn more on the MassEVIP website.
- To get started, apply online. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Many MLPs have established discounts or rebates on residential EV chargers.
- For MLPs that have partnered with MMWEC, customers can receive free or discounted Level 2 residential EV chargers when they sign on to the Scheduled Charging Program.To get started, visit your MLP’s website to see what incentives may be available to you.
- MMWEC-partnered utility customers should review the eligible charger models and select your MLP from the online list to learn more about offerings and download a charging agreement.
- For MLPs that are partnered with ENE, review the available programs for your utility by selecting it on the ENE website.
- Tags: MLP, Owner, Single Family, EV
Continuing, Comprehensive, and Cooperative Planning Process
Average Annual Daily Traffic
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
Average Daily Traffic
American Farmland Trust
Alternative Fuel Vehicles
American Heritage Rivers Initiative
American International College
Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
Approval Not Required
American Planning Association
Aquifer Protection District
Air Quality Index
Air Quality Index
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (of 2009)
Automatic Traffic Recorder
Average Vehicle Ridership
Barnes Aquifer Protection Advisory Committee
Business Improvement District
Bicycle Level of Service
Best Management Practice
Bridge Management System
Board of Appeals (or Adjustment)
Board of Health
Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
Commercial Area Revitalization District
Community Action Statement
Central Business District
Cape Cod Commission
Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield
Community Development
Community Development Action Grant
Community Development Block Grant
Centers for Disease Control
Community Development Corporation
Community Development Fund
Community Development Plan
Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation
Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Community Enterprise Economic Development
Citizen Housing and Planning Association
Community Housing Development Organizations
Capital Improvement Inventory System
Capital Improvements Plan (or Program)
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program
Congestion Management Process
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission
Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area
Compressed Natural Gas
Carbon Monoxide
Council of Governments
Commonwealth Procurement Access and Solicitation System
Community Preservation Act
Citizen Planner Training Collaborative
Capitol Region Council of Governments
Community Service Block Grant
Combined Sewer Overflow
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Employment and Training
Department of Housing and Community Development
Direct Local Technical Assistance
Department of Energy Resources
Department of Revenue
Department of Transportation
Department of Public Works
Developments of Regional Impact
Executive Order
Production of affordable housing across a broad range of incomes
Economic Assistance Coordinating Council
Economic Development Administration
Economic Development Council
Economic Development District
Economic Development Data and Information System
Economic Development and Industrial Corporation
Environmental Impact Report
Environmental Impact Statement
Environmental Justice
Environmental Notification Form
Economic Opportunity Area
Executive Office of Administration and Finance
Executive Office of Economic Affairs
Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Site Assessment
Economic Target Area
Federal Aid
Functional Classification (of roadways)
Federal Housing Administration
Federal Highway Administration - An agency of the United States Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical support to each state for constructing, improving, and preserving America’s highway system.
Federal Highway Administration
Franklin Regional Council of Governments
Federal Transit Administration
Greenhouse Gas
Geographic Information System - A system for capturing, storing, analyzing and managing data and associated attributes which are spatially referenced to the earth.
Geographic Information System
Global Positioning System
Housing Appeal Committee
HAPHousing
Holyoke Community College
Housing Development Support Program
Housing Innovation Fund
Home Modification for Individuals with Disabilities Loan
Highway Overlay District
Historic Overlay District
Homeownership Opportunities Program
High Occupancy Vehicle
Housing Preservation Grant
Housing Production Plan
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Invitation for Bid
Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Job Access and Reverse Commute
Jacob's Ladder Scenic Byway
Jacob's Ladder Trail
Joint Transportation Committee
Local Board(s) of Health
Limited English Proficiency
Local Housing Authority
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Level of Service
Local Option Transportation Tax
Local Pavement Management System
Light Rail Vehicle
Local Technical Assistance
Massachusetts General Laws
Hazardous waste cleanup regulations
Uniform procurement law for local governments
Zoning
Planning/comprehensive permits
Smart growth zoning and housing production
Smart growth school cost reimbursement
Subdivision control
Expedited permitting
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Massachusetts Association of Regional Planning Agencies
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Massachusetts Geographic Information System
Minority Business Enterprises
Massachusetts Development Finance Agency
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act
Massachusetts Geographic Information Council
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Massachusetts Housing Partnership
Massachusetts Industrial Finance Agency
Municipal Incentive Grant
Massachusetts Municipal Association
Memorandum of Agreement
Massachusetts Office of Business Development
Massachusetts Office on Disability
Memorandum of Understanding
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Metropolitan Planning Organization
Montachusett Regional Planning Commission
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Martha's Vineyard Commission
Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
National Association of Regional Councils
New England Association of Regional Councils
Non-Federal Aid
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended)
National Highway System
Neighborhood Housing Services program
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Northern Middlesex Council of Governments
Nitrogen Oxide
Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Transportation Safety Board
Old Colony Planning Council
Overall Condition Index (Pavement)
Open Space and Recreation Plan
Pavement Condition Index
Priority Development Fund
Purchase of Development Rights
Peak Hour Traffic (or Trips)
Payment in Lieu of Taxes
[Metropolitan] Planning Funds
Pavement Management System
Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area
Pavement Management Users Group
Planner on a Disc
Public Participation Process
Planned Unit Residential Development
Pioneer Valley Regional Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
Quaboag Valley Community Development Corp.
Rental Development Action Loan
Regional Employment Board
Regional Education and Business Alliance
Regional Economic Models, Inc.
Request For Proposal
Request for Qualifications
Request for Response
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
Roadway Inventory Files
Revolving Loan Fund
Regional Planning Agency
Regional Pavement Management System
Regional Transit Authority
Regional Technology Corporation
Regional Transportation Plan
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
Small Business Administration
Supplier Diversity Office
State Implementation Plan (for air quality)
Sustainable Knowledge Corridor
Single Occupancy Vehicle
Special Permit
Special Permit Planning
Site Plan Review
Statewide Planning and Research Funds
Single Room Occupancy
Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District
Springfield Technical Community College
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program
Surface Transportation Program
Targeted Brownfields Assessment
Transportation and Community System Preservation [Pilot Program]
Transportation Demand Management
Transfer of Development Rights
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century
Tax Increment Financing
Transportation Improvement Program
The Literacy Project
Turning Movement Count
Traditional Neighborhood District
Transit Oriented Design (or Development)
Transportation Research Board
Trip Reduction Ordinance
Transportation Systems Management
Urban Growth Boundary
Urban Land Institute
University of Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute
Unified Planning Work Program
Urban Revitalization Development Grant
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Public Land Survey
Underground Storage Tanks
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Volatile Organic Compound
Vehicle Occupancy Rate
Ware Adult Learning Center
Weatherization Assistance Program
Women-owned Business Enterprises
Wellhead Protection Area
Western New England University
Water Quality Management Plan
Westfield River Watershed Association
Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee
Water Supply Protection [District]
Westfield State University
Zoning Board of Adjustment (or Appeals)