Energy and Environment

Energy Efficiency for Property Owners

Benefits of Energy Efficiency for Homeowners, Landlords, and Property Managers:

  • Energy efficiency can reduce utility bills. Utility bill savings can come from “instant saving” energy efficient products installed “in-unit,” such as LED light bulbs, advanced power strips and efficient thermostats, as well as from “whole building” upgrades such as weatherization and equipment/appliance replacement. 

  • Reduced energy costs associated with energy efficiency may allow homeowners and landlords to make other needed building improvements.

  • Energy efficiency can also help improve comfort and indoor air quality. Certain energy efficiency improvements, such as weatherization and heating/cooling system upgrades, help make indoor space more comfortable and improve indoor air quality. 

Energy efficiency program offerings are based on the number of units in the buildings. Select the appropriate housing type below to learn more about offerings that may be available, including special programs that provide additional or full subsidy based on the household income of property owners or tenants:

  • 1-4 Units

  • Multifamily (5+) Units 

1-4 Units

Mass Save Market Rate Program

Mass Save Enhanced Residential

  • The Mass Save Enhanced Residential Program is available to property owners who meet moderate-income eligibility requirements.

  • Mass Save provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of recommended instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades, next steps, and available incentives and rebates.

  • Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at no cost.

  • Rebates are available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting, appliances, and smart thermostats.

  • Grants are available to remove barriers that would otherwise prevent completion of upgrades (e.g., asbestos, vermiculite, knob and tube wiring) provided that upgrades are completed.

  • Zero percent interest financing, up to $25,000, is available for eligible upgrades through the through the HEAT Loan program. (Financing of up to $50,000 is available for 2-4 unit homes through the Expanded Loan Option.)

  • To get started, determine if you are eligible and call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule a no-cost energy assessment.

Mass Save Income Eligible Program

  • The Mass Save Income Eligible Program is available to property owners who meet income eligibility requirements and to properties where at least 50% of tenant households meet these requirements.

  • Mass Save provides a no-cost energy assessment and installation of no-cost instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and efficient thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades and next steps.

  • Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at no cost.

  • If recommended, no-cost installation is available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water systems, lighting, appliances, and programmable thermostats.

  • There is no cost to remove barriers that would otherwise prevent completion of recommended upgrades (e.g., knob and tube wiring, asbestos) provided that upgrades are completed.

  • To get started, contact your local Community Action Program (CAP). For residents of the NMCOG region, the CAP Agency is Community Teamwork, Inc. in Lowell.

Mass Save Landlord Program for 1-4 Unit Properties

  • Landlords of 1-4 unit rental properties may be eligible for the Mass Save Landlord Program.  Note that owners and occupants of attached 2-4 unit condominiums may join with other condo owners in the building to become eligible for this program.

  • Mass Save will provide a no-cost energy assessment and installation of no-cost in-unit instant savings products, including LED light bulbs, advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and programmable thermostats. The assessment also includes a custom home energy report with recommended efficiency upgrades, next steps, and available incentives and rebates.

  • Recommended weatherization actions will be offered at a 90% discount, when all units participate.

  • Rebates are available for high efficiency heating and cooling equipment, hot water equipment, lighting, appliances, and smart thermostats.

  • Zero percent interest financing, up to $25,000, is available for eligible upgrades through the through the HEAT Loan program. (Financing of up to $50,000 is available for 2-4 unit homes through the Expanded Loan Option.)

  • To get started, review the program details online and call Mass Save at 1-866-527-7283 to schedule an assessment.

Mass Save Renovations and Additions

  • The Mass Save Renovations and Additions program provides incentives to property owners for incorporating energy efficient upgrades that go beyond efficiency requirements required by the building code into renovations and/or additions at existing homes that are 3 stories or less. To be eligible, the application process must be started before construction begins, and the renovation or addition must be at least 500 square feet.  

  • To get started, determine if your project is eligible and fill out an interest form or work directly with a third party verifier or HERS rater.

Multifamily (5+) Units

Low Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) Multifamily Program

  • ·Multifamily properties where at least 50% of households are income-eligible qualify for the LEAN Multifamily Program. Households with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) are considered income-eligible. (If fewer than 50% of tenants are income eligible, there may be higher discounts for recommended improvements as compared to discounts through the Mass Save Multifamily program. In addition, income-eligible tenants may be served individually through LEAN Multifamily.) Public housing authorities, as well as non-profit or for-profit owners/managers, are eligible to apply. 

  • From start to finish, LEAN will manage everything and install recommended improvements at no-cost.

    • LEAN will send out an expert to assess how they can help improve the energy efficiency of your property.

  • The assessment provides a custom report with recommended efficiency improvements for the building as a whole and next steps.

    • Recommended improvements will be installed at no cost. Recommendations may include, but are not limited to, energy efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, insulation, programmable thermostats, high efficiency heating, cooling, or hot water equipment, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances.  

    • LEAN will schedule, manage, and oversee all of the energy efficiency improvements made to your building. 

    • LEAN will also do a final comprehensive inspection of the work completed to ensure it was done effectively and professionally.

  • To get started, fill out the application form on the LEAN Multifamily webpage.