How do I know if I'm in Mass Save or an MLP?

Look at the utility name at the top of your electric bill. If it says Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, or Cape Light Compact, you're in Mass Save. If it says any other utility — typically the name of your town followed by "Light Plant," "Light Department," "Electric Department," or "Municipal Light" — you're in an MLP. Use our sponsor lookup widget on the Mass Save Sponsors page for an instant answer.

Can I get the Mass Save rebate if I live in an MLP town?

No. Mass Save is funded by the Energy Efficiency Charge collected on investor-owned utility bills (Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Cape Light Compact). MLP customers don't pay into that fund and aren't eligible. The MLP program is your alternative — and most MLPs offer heat-pump rebates in the $500–$3,000 range, plus the statewide MLP Zero-Interest Loan.

My town has both gas (Mass Save sponsor) and MLP electric — what happens?

You can still get gas-side Mass Save rebates (furnace, water heater, weatherization) filed through your gas sponsor. The electric-side rebates and the HEAT Loan are off the table because your electric utility doesn't participate. For the heat pump specifically — which is electric — you're in the MLP world. Brockton (National Grid electric, Eversource Gas) and Cambridge (Eversource electric + Eversource Gas) are both fully in Mass Save; Belmont (MLP electric + National Grid gas) is split.

Are the MLP heat-pump rebates as generous as Mass Save?

Usually no, but it depends on your specific MLP. The largest MLPs — BELD (Braintree), RMLD (Reading), Norwood Municipal, Wellesley — typically offer $1,000–$3,000 heat pump rebates with their own application processes. Smaller MLPs offer less or sometimes nothing. None match the $8,500 Mass Save cap. The MLP Zero-Interest Loan up to $25,000 partially closes the financing gap.

Did anything change for MLP rebates in 2026?

The MLP Zero-Interest Loan was extended and remains at $25,000 cap, 0% APR. Individual MLP rebate programs change at the town level — each MLP runs its own budget cycle. The federal §25C and §25D credits expired December 31, 2025 for both Mass Save and MLP customers under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, narrowing the total incentive available statewide.

Mass Save vs MLP Heat Pump Programs Compared

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

Side by side

What's on offer	Mass Save (IOU customers)	MLP communities
Who qualifies	Electric service from Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, or Cape Light Compact	Electric service from one of 41 MA Municipal Light Plants
Whole-home heat pump rebate	$2,650/ton, up to $8,500/home	Varies by MLP: typically $1,000–$3,000 (BELD, RMLD highest)
Partial-home rebate	$1,125/ton, up to $8,500	Some MLPs only; most don't differentiate
Income-qualified path	Enhanced rebates up to $16,000 + IRA HEAR up to $8,000 (≤80% AMI)	IRA HEAR up to $8,000 (MLP customers still eligible — HEAR is federal, not Mass Save-specific)
0% APR financing	HEAT Loan up to $25,000 (84/60/36-mo terms by SMI)	MLP Zero-Interest Loan up to $25,000
Required home energy assessment	Yes — free 60–90 min Mass Save assessment, gates all rebates	Most MLPs require their own equivalent (e.g. BELD energy assessment)
Installer requirement	Mass Save HPIN-enrolled contractor	Licensed MA Refrigeration Technician; HPIN not required (but common)
Equipment requirement	Must be on Mass Save HPQPL (ENERGY STAR ccASHP-certified, R-32 or R-454B)	Most MLPs accept ENERGY STAR ccASHP-certified models without an explicit HPQPL reference
Federal §25C / §25D	Expired Dec 31, 2025 (OBBBA)	Expired Dec 31, 2025 (OBBBA)

Sourced from masssave.com (rebate tier values), mass.gov MLP Zero-Interest Loan page, and per-MLP program disclosures. Re-verified 2026-05-27.

Primary source

“DPU-approved zero-interest loan up to $25,000 for qualifying energy efficiency upgrades, including heat pumps. Apply through your local MLP. This is the MLP equivalent of the Mass Save HEAT Loan, not a stacking option.”

— Commonwealth of Massachusetts Accessed 2026-05-27

Why MLPs are excluded from Mass Save

Mass Save is funded entirely by the Energy Efficiency Charge — a small per-kWh surcharge collected on every Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, and Cape Light Compact bill. That money goes into a sponsor-administered fund that pays the rebates and the HEAT Loan interest. Municipal Light Plants don't collect this charge (they're governed by local boards rather than the MA Department of Public Utilities) so MLP customers don't pay in, and the program excludes them. It's not arbitrary — it's a closed-loop ratepayer-funded system.

The Commonwealth's response was the MLP Zero-Interest Energy Efficiency Loan, established as the statewide financing analog for MLP residents. Most large MLPs additionally fund their own rebate programs out of their own ratepayer revenue.

The MLP rebate landscape (selected programs)

BELD (Braintree Electric Light Department): heat pump rebate, includes single- and multi-zone. Apply through BELD energy services.
RMLD (Reading Municipal Light Department): heat pump rebates plus its own energy assessment program. Reading, Lynnfield, North Reading, and Wilmington customers are eligible.
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant: heat pump rebate program; check WMLP energy programs page for current amounts.
Norwood Municipal Light Department: heat pump rebates plus full electrification path including panel-upgrade support.
Shrewsbury Electric & Cable (SELCO): energy-efficiency rebates including heat pump installation incentives.
Most smaller MLPs: verify directly — programs and amounts vary year-to-year and aren't always centralized online.

For every MLP, the homeowner application path is through the MLP itself (not through Mass Save). Many MLPs also let you stack their rebate with the MLP Zero-Interest Loan.

Practical decision framework if you're on the IOU/MLP border

Confirm your status. Use the lookup widget on the Mass Save Sponsors page. The result decides which program applies.
If Mass Save: follow the 7-step rebate claim process — Home Energy Assessment, HPIN installer, Manual J, HPQPL equipment, install, file, rebate check arrives ~6–12 weeks later.
If MLP: check your MLP's energy programs page first to confirm what rebate is currently on offer. Then apply for the MLP Zero-Interest Loan in parallel if you need financing. The federal HEAR rebate (up to $8,000 if you're ≤80% AMI) applies to MLP customers — don't leave that on the table.
Either way: get three quotes, all from contractors with current MA Refrigeration Technician licenses. The Mass Save HPIN designation is only mandatory for Mass Save rebates, but choosing an HPIN installer in an MLP town still gets you the most-experienced cold-climate-heat-pump operator.

Program comparison FAQ

How do I know if I'm in Mass Save or an MLP?: Look at the utility name at the top of your electric bill. If it says Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, or Cape Light Compact, you're in Mass Save. If it says any other utility — typically the name of your town followed by "Light Plant," "Light Department," "Electric Department," or "Municipal Light" — you're in an MLP. Use our sponsor lookup widget on the Mass Save Sponsors page for an instant answer.
Can I get the Mass Save rebate if I live in an MLP town?: No. Mass Save is funded by the Energy Efficiency Charge collected on investor-owned utility bills (Eversource, National Grid, Unitil, Cape Light Compact). MLP customers don't pay into that fund and aren't eligible. The MLP program is your alternative — and most MLPs offer heat-pump rebates in the $500–$3,000 range, plus the statewide MLP Zero-Interest Loan.
What does the MLP Zero-Interest Loan cover?: DPU-approved zero-interest loan up to $25,000 for qualifying energy efficiency upgrades, including heat pumps. Apply through your local MLP. This is the MLP equivalent of the Mass Save HEAT Loan, not a stacking option. It functions as the MLP analog to the Mass Save HEAT Loan, with the same 0% APR and 25,000 cap.
My town has both gas (Mass Save sponsor) and MLP electric — what happens?: You can still get gas-side Mass Save rebates (furnace, water heater, weatherization) filed through your gas sponsor. The electric-side rebates and the HEAT Loan are off the table because your electric utility doesn't participate. For the heat pump specifically — which is electric — you're in the MLP world. Brockton (National Grid electric, Eversource Gas) and Cambridge (Eversource electric + Eversource Gas) are both fully in Mass Save; Belmont (MLP electric + National Grid gas) is split.
Are the MLP heat-pump rebates as generous as Mass Save?: Usually no, but it depends on your specific MLP. The largest MLPs — BELD (Braintree), RMLD (Reading), Norwood Municipal, Wellesley — typically offer $1,000–$3,000 heat pump rebates with their own application processes. Smaller MLPs offer less or sometimes nothing. None match the $8,500 Mass Save cap. The MLP Zero-Interest Loan up to $25,000 partially closes the financing gap.
Did anything change for MLP rebates in 2026?: The MLP Zero-Interest Loan was extended and remains at $25,000 cap, 0% APR. Individual MLP rebate programs change at the town level — each MLP runs its own budget cycle. The federal §25C and §25D credits expired December 31, 2025 for both Mass Save and MLP customers under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, narrowing the total incentive available statewide.

Related guides

Not sure which program you're in?

Look up your sponsor on the Mass Save Sponsors page, or request a quote and we'll match you to a contractor experienced with both Mass Save and MLP filings.

Check my sponsor Or call (617) 533-0556