Massachusetts: heating help, rebates and weatherization

HEAP (fuel assistance)

Open nowMassachusettsHeating-bill helpRenters can apply

Status: Applications open since Oct 1, 2026. Help covers Nov 1, 2026 to Apr 30, 2027.

Pays part of winter heating bills (oil, gas or electric). Per the state's Oct 2026 announcement, oil-heat households get a 20% increase and utility-heat households a 15% increase; the state one-pager lists $600 to $1,450 depending on income and how you heat.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Gross income at or below 60% of state median income. 2026-27 limits (annual): 1 person $53,585; 2 $70,073; 3 $86,561; 4 $103,049; 5 $119,536; 6 $136,024. Homeowners and renters can apply, including renters whose heat is included in the rent. You do not need to be behind on bills or on other public assistance.

Run by

Local community action agencies; info at mass.gov/heatinghelp

Heating fuels it covers or applies to

oil, gas, electric, propane, wood/pellets

• 2026-10-01: Online applications open
• 2026-11-01: Benefit period starts
• 2027-04-30: Benefit period ends

Heads up: Benefits run until funds are used up. Massachusetts Heat Line: 1-800-632-8175 (per National Grid's HEAP page).

Go to the official page

Sources: MASSCAP: Heating Help in Massachusetts · Mass.gov: Governor Healey announces new winter energy bill relief · Mass 211 one-pager, Winter Energy Bill Relief · National Grid: HEAP
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Mass Save air-source heat pump rebates (2026 rates)

Open nowMassachusettsHeat pump & equipment rebatesRenter rules not stated

Status: 2026 installs only: install by Dec 31, 2026; paperwork due Feb 28, 2027. Rebates drop for 2027 installs.

2026: whole-home $2,650 per ton up to $8,500; partial-home $1,125 per ton up to $8,500; basic $250 per ton up to $2,500; income-based enhanced incentives up to $16,000 (or no cost through Turnkey Services). From Jan 1, 2027: whole-home $2,350 per ton capped at $7,500; partial-home $1,000 per ton capped at $7,500.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Installed by a contractor in the Mass Save Heat Pump Installer Network, using equipment on the Heat Pump Qualified Product List (R-410A systems were removed from the list Jan 1, 2026). Home must be occupied full time in winter. Whole-home rebates require the heat pump to be the sole heating/cooling source and the home to be sufficiently weatherized (built 2000 or later, an assessment recommending under $1,000 of work, or recommended work completed). Partial-home keeps a backup system with an integrated control.

Run by

Mass Save (utilities)

Heating fuels it covers or applies to

oil, gas, propane, electric

• 2026-12-31: Last day to install for 2026 rebate rates
• 2027-01-01: Lower rebate rates start for 2027 installs
• 2027-02-28: Rebate form and documents must be received

Heads up: Starting in October 2026 a serial-number photo of each outdoor unit is required on applications (per Mass Save). Get the rebate expectations in writing from your installer before work starts. Read the whole-home vs partial-home rules; homeowners on r/massachusetts report confusion about them.

Go to the official page

Sources: Mass Save: Air Source Heat Pumps · Mass Save: Heat Pump Qualified Product List
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief (new this winter)

Opens soonMassachusettsHeating-bill helpRenter rules not stated

Status: Applications open in December 2026 (no exact day published on the page we read). Runs through Apr 30, 2027 or until funding runs out.

One-time emergency payment of up to $680 for households that heat with #2 heating oil and earn too much for HEAP. The state estimates about 50,000 households may qualify.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Heat with #2 home heating oil and total gross household income above 60% but below 100% of state median income. Examples (FY2027): 1 person $53,586 to $89,308; 2 $70,074 to $116,788; 3 $86,562 to $144,268; 4 $103,050 to $171,749; 5 $119,537 to $199,227; 6 $136,025 to $226,707.

Run by

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities; run through the same local agencies as HEAP

Heating fuels it covers or applies to

oil

• 2026-12-01: Applications expected to open (state says 'December 2026')
• 2027-04-30: Program end or until funds run out

Heads up: The state offers an interest form for an opening notification; that form is not the application.

Go to the official page

Sources: Mass.gov: Middle-Income Heating Oil Relief · WWLP report
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Good Neighbor Energy Fund (Salvation Army)

Year-roundMassachusettsEmergency / crisis helpRenters can apply

Status: Listed by MASSCAP as an option for limited-income households that do not qualify for fuel assistance.

Help for limited-income households that are not eligible for fuel assistance. Phone numbers published by MASSCAP: area codes 617, 508, 781, 978: 1-800-334-3047; area code 413: 1-800-262-1320.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Not detailed on the page we read. Call to ask.

Run by

Local Salvation Army

Heads up: We did not verify current funding. Call first.

Go to the official page

Sources: MASSCAP: Heating Help in Massachusetts
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Mass Save no-cost Home Energy Assessment, insulation discounts and 0% HEAT Loan

Year-roundMassachusettsInsulation & weatherizationRenter rules not stated

Status: Ongoing.

A no-cost home energy assessment identifies insulation and air-sealing work. Mass Save lists 75% to 100% off approved insulation and air sealing; income-eligible households may get no-cost upgrades. The 0% HEAT Loan goes up to $25,000 for eligible measures (up to $50,000 combined with heat pump financing, per Mass Save).

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Insulation must be specified and installed by a participating Mass Save contractor for the loan; DIY work does not qualify. Income-based offers require income verification.

Run by

Mass Save (utilities)

Heating fuels it covers or applies to

oil, gas, propane, electric

Heads up: Customers of some municipal electric utilities are served differently; ask your utility.

Go to the official page

Sources: Mass Save: Insulation and Air Sealing · Mass Save: Income-based offers · Mass Save: 0% Interest Financing
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Weatherization (WAP), heating system repair/replacement (HEARTWAP) and appliance program (AMP)

Year-roundMassachusettsInsulation & weatherizationRenter rules not stated

Status: Year-round programs for income-eligible households.

WAP covers air sealing, attic/sidewall insulation, weather-stripping and related repairs. HEARTWAP repairs, replaces and maintains heating systems. AMP (with National Grid and Eversource) can replace certain inoperable or inefficient appliances after an energy audit.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Income-eligible households; MASSCAP points to the same income chart as fuel assistance (60% of state median income).

Run by

Local community action agencies (via MASSCAP)

Heating fuels it covers or applies to

oil, gas, propane, electric

Go to the official page

Sources: MASSCAP: Heating Help in Massachusetts
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Heat pump electric rate (seasonal discount on delivery charges)

Check with agencyMassachusettsGood to knowRenter rules not stated

Status: Mass.gov says all three major electric utilities offer it; confirm your utility's current terms.

Massachusetts introduced a first-ever residential heat pump rate with lower winter delivery charges. Mass.gov says households that received a Mass Save heat pump rebate since 2019 were auto-enrolled as of Nov 1, 2025 unless they opt out, and others can contact their utility. Mass.gov estimated about $540 savings for eligible households.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Households heating with air-source or ground-source heat pumps. Savings depend on the utility.

Run by

Eversource, National Grid, Unitil via DPU

Heating fuels it covers or applies to

electric

Heads up: The Mass.gov page we read still mixes last winter's wording and old oil-price figures (it showed $3.10/gal), so we treat the $540 figure as last winter's estimate. Confirm with your utility.

Go to the official page

Sources: Mass.gov: Massachusetts Household Heating Costs
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)

Municipal electric utility customers (not served by Mass Save)

InfoMassachusettsGood to knowRenter rules not stated

Status: Mass.gov's rebate guide points these customers elsewhere.

Mass Save serves customers of the investor-owned utilities. Mass.gov's energy rebates guide says municipal utility customers should check NextZero or Energy New England for their utility's programs. Ask your light plant what it offers for heat pumps and weatherization.

Who qualifies (as the program states it)

Customers of municipal light plants (for example in towns that run their own electric utility).

Run by

Your town's municipal light plant

Heads up: We have not catalogued individual municipal programs.

Go to the official page

Sources: Mass.gov: Massachusetts Energy Rebates & Incentives guide
Last verified: Oct 17, 2026 (ET)