How do I book a Mass Save Home Energy Assessment?

Go to masssave.com and use the assessment-booking form (your Mass Save sponsor utility will be selected automatically from your address). Phone booking is also available through your sponsor utility's customer service line. In 2026 the typical lead time from booking to on-site appointment is 4–6 weeks, longer during peak seasons (early fall, late spring).

Is the assessment really free?

Yes. The cost is funded by the Energy Efficiency Charge on Massachusetts utility ratepayer bills. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the homeowner. (MLP customers in Belmont, Braintree, Reading and similar towns are not eligible for this program since they don't pay into the Energy Efficiency Charge — they should check with their MLP for analogous programs.)

What does the auditor actually do during the assessment?

Three things. (1) Diagnostic measurements: blower-door test for air infiltration, infrared thermal imaging of walls and ceilings, inspection of attic and basement insulation. (2) Equipment inventory: walk through and document existing heating system, water heater, appliances, lighting, and any prior energy upgrades. (3) Direct-install items: the auditor leaves you with LED bulbs, smart power strips, low-flow showerheads, and sometimes a smart thermostat — installed on the spot at no charge.

What paperwork do I get?

You receive: (1) An eligibility letter confirming which Mass Save programs you qualify for, including any income-qualified pathway. (2) A recommended-upgrades report listing weatherization (insulation, air sealing) and equipment upgrades (heat pump, heat pump water heater) eligible for rebates. (3) Quoted prices on weatherization work that Mass Save would coordinate directly. (4) For income-qualified households: routing into MassCEC for the federal HEAR rebate and (where applicable) the no-cost Turnkey heat pump program.

Do I need an assessment before I can hire an HVAC installer?

For rebate eligibility, yes. Without an assessment-based eligibility letter, your installer cannot file the Mass Save heat pump rebate. You can technically schedule installer site visits in parallel with the assessment lead time — but the install itself should happen after the assessment so the paperwork chain holds together.

What if the auditor recommends weatherization first?

Common scenario. Auditors often recommend air sealing and insulation upgrades before (or alongside) a heat pump install because a tighter, better-insulated home needs a smaller, cheaper heat pump and runs at lower operating cost. Mass Save covers a substantial portion of weatherization cost directly (sometimes 75–100% for income-qualified households). Doing weatherization first frequently saves more than it costs.

What if my house is rented or part of a multifamily?

Renters cannot directly book a comprehensive Home Energy Assessment — only the property owner can. However, Mass Save runs a separate Renter Outreach pathway with no-cost direct-install items (LEDs, smart thermostats, showerheads) that renters can access independently. Multifamily 4-plus-unit buildings route through a different program (Mass Save Multifamily) administered by a separate contractor.

How long is the eligibility letter valid?

Typically 6–12 months from the assessment date, though Mass Save may extend it on request if your install timeline slips. Schedule the install within the validity window or the rebate filing may require updated documentation.

The Mass Save Home Energy Assessment: 2026 Guide

By MassHVAC Editorial Team Reviewed by MassHVAC Editorial Team Last updated 2026-05-27

Why this single step matters so much

The Home Energy Assessment is the rebate program's front door. Skip it and you forfeit the $8,500 Mass Save heat pump rebate, the HEAT Loan, and federal HEAR eligibility — even with perfect equipment and an HPIN-enrolled installer. Almost every Massachusetts homeowner who's lost rebate money in 2026 lost it because they skipped or postponed this step.

It's also where income-qualified routing happens. If your household earns below approximately 135% of State Median Income (~$163,000 for a four-person household in 2026), the auditor determines whether you route into the Enhanced rebate tier ($16,000 air-source cap) or — below 60% SMI — into the no-cost Turnkey program. See the income-qualified pathway guide for the full mechanics.

What actually happens during the 90 minutes

Walkthrough (15-20 min). Auditor introduces themselves, asks about your goals (lower bills, add cooling, eliminate oil, etc.), and tours the home with you. They take notes on the heating system, water heater, windows, insulation visible in unfinished spaces.
Diagnostic testing (30-45 min). The blower-door test is the centerpiece — a calibrated fan in an exterior door measures how leaky your house is to outside air, expressed in air changes per hour (ACH). The auditor also runs infrared thermal imaging of walls and ceilings to spot insulation gaps and air-leakage paths invisible to the eye.
Direct-install items (15-20 min). Auditor swaps incandescent bulbs for LEDs, installs smart power strips on entertainment centers, replaces standard showerheads with low-flow models, and (where eligible) installs a smart thermostat. No charge for any of it.
Review and paperwork (10-15 min). Auditor walks you through the recommended upgrades report, the rebate-eligibility letter, and any income-qualified routing. You ask questions about which upgrades make sense and the paperwork timing.

Homeowner prep checklist (week before assessment)

Locate your utility bills for the past 12 months (electric and gas/oil). Auditor will want to see annual energy consumption to size recommendations.
Clear access to the attic, basement, and any unfinished crawl space — those are the primary inspection points.
Move pets and small children to a separate area during diagnostic testing (blower door and IR imaging shouldn't have foot traffic interfering).
Note any specific complaints you have about the existing system: cold rooms, drafty windows, high oil bills, summer humidity, condensate problems. The auditor's recommendations should address these directly.
If you're considering income-qualified programs: bring most recent federal tax return, two months of paystubs for all working adults, or proof of participation in another income-qualified state program (SNAP, LIHEAP, MassHealth).

Five questions worth asking the auditor

What's my current air-leakage rate (ACH)? A tight modern home is 0.1-0.3 ACH; a leaky pre-1940 MA home is often 0.5-1.0 ACH. The difference is 20-30% of your heating load.
Does weatherization make sense before a heat pump install? If recommended, ask what the weatherization will cost out-of-pocket after Mass Save coverage and how much it will reduce your heat pump sizing requirement.
Am I income-qualified for the Enhanced rebate tier or HEAR? The auditor determines this on the spot.
What's my Mass Save sponsor utility? Confirm electric and gas sponsor (relevant for mixed-utility households like Cambridge or Brockton where electric and gas come from different companies).
What's the eligibility-letter validity period? Standard is 6-12 months; helpful to know if your install timeline is uncertain.

After the auditor leaves

Within 1-2 weeks you'll receive (via email or postal mail) the written recommended-upgrades report and eligibility letter. Use it to:

Get quotes from Mass Save HPIN-enrolled installers — the eligibility letter is required for the rebate filing.
Decide whether to do weatherization first (Mass Save coordinates the contractor directly if you opt in).
Apply for the HEAT Loan if needed — the loan paperwork references the assessment.
For income-qualified households: MassCEC will contact you separately about HEAR enrollment and (where applicable) Turnkey routing.

The single most useful sentence from the report

Most homeowners glance at the recommended-upgrades report and file it. The most actionable line is usually buried halfway in: "Recommended heat pump system size: X tons, Y BTU/hr heating load at design temperature." That's the Manual J input that your installer should match within 90–120% to qualify for the Mass Save sizing bonus. If an installer proposes a system materially different from this number, ask why.

Home Energy Assessment FAQ

How do I book a Mass Save Home Energy Assessment?: Go to masssave.com and use the assessment-booking form (your Mass Save sponsor utility will be selected automatically from your address). Phone booking is also available through your sponsor utility's customer service line. In 2026 the typical lead time from booking to on-site appointment is 4–6 weeks, longer during peak seasons (early fall, late spring).
Is the assessment really free?: Yes. The cost is funded by the Energy Efficiency Charge on Massachusetts utility ratepayer bills. There is no out-of-pocket cost for the homeowner. (MLP customers in Belmont, Braintree, Reading and similar towns are not eligible for this program since they don't pay into the Energy Efficiency Charge — they should check with their MLP for analogous programs.)
What does the auditor actually do during the assessment?: Three things. (1) Diagnostic measurements: blower-door test for air infiltration, infrared thermal imaging of walls and ceilings, inspection of attic and basement insulation. (2) Equipment inventory: walk through and document existing heating system, water heater, appliances, lighting, and any prior energy upgrades. (3) Direct-install items: the auditor leaves you with LED bulbs, smart power strips, low-flow showerheads, and sometimes a smart thermostat — installed on the spot at no charge.
What paperwork do I get?: You receive: (1) An eligibility letter confirming which Mass Save programs you qualify for, including any income-qualified pathway. (2) A recommended-upgrades report listing weatherization (insulation, air sealing) and equipment upgrades (heat pump, heat pump water heater) eligible for rebates. (3) Quoted prices on weatherization work that Mass Save would coordinate directly. (4) For income-qualified households: routing into MassCEC for the federal HEAR rebate and (where applicable) the no-cost Turnkey heat pump program.
Do I need an assessment before I can hire an HVAC installer?: For rebate eligibility, yes. Without an assessment-based eligibility letter, your installer cannot file the Mass Save heat pump rebate. You can technically schedule installer site visits in parallel with the assessment lead time — but the install itself should happen after the assessment so the paperwork chain holds together.
What if the auditor recommends weatherization first?: Common scenario. Auditors often recommend air sealing and insulation upgrades before (or alongside) a heat pump install because a tighter, better-insulated home needs a smaller, cheaper heat pump and runs at lower operating cost. Mass Save covers a substantial portion of weatherization cost directly (sometimes 75–100% for income-qualified households). Doing weatherization first frequently saves more than it costs.
What if my house is rented or part of a multifamily?: Renters cannot directly book a comprehensive Home Energy Assessment — only the property owner can. However, Mass Save runs a separate Renter Outreach pathway with no-cost direct-install items (LEDs, smart thermostats, showerheads) that renters can access independently. Multifamily 4-plus-unit buildings route through a different program (Mass Save Multifamily) administered by a separate contractor.
How long is the eligibility letter valid?: Typically 6–12 months from the assessment date, though Mass Save may extend it on request if your install timeline slips. Schedule the install within the validity window or the rebate filing may require updated documentation.

Related guides

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