Guide To Lower Energy Bills

Ways To Save In Massachusetts

Help to pay your bills:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP helps eligible households pay a portion of their winter heating bills — including oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood, and coal.
Eligibility: Household income cannot exceed 60% of Massachusetts’ estimated State Median Income (see table). Learn more and apply here.

Utility Discount or “R2” Rate

Eversource, National Grid, and many municipal light plants offer discounted rates for eligible customers.
Eligibility: If you qualify for LIHEAP or receive benefits under a means-tested program (e.g. SNAP or Medicaid), see Eversource or National Grid to apply. Municipal light plant customers should check locally for available discounts.

Green Energy Consumers’ Solar Bank Program

Green Energy Consumers helps eligible households by providing $500 worth of net metering credits over the course of several months on their utility bill.
Eligibility: Participant must be serviced by Eversource and on the R2 rate (low-income discount rate). Learn more and apply here.

Green Municipal Aggregation

Several MA cities and towns have Green Municipal Aggregation, allowing them to buy renewable electricity in bulk and offer residents a greener, often cheaper alternative to utility basic service.
These programs supply more local renewable energy than required by law, supporting new local clean energy projects.
Bulk purchasing and flexible timing typically result in prices lower than the utility’s basic service price.
It’s seamless: residents still get and pay their normal utility bill, with the community program listed in the supply section.
Residents can opt in or out anytime with no penalty.
Check whether your city or town participates here.

Salvation Army's Good Neighbor Energy Fund

The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides energy assistance to residents in temporary crisis who are struggling to pay their energy bills.
Eligibility: Income must be between 60% and 80% of Estimated State Median Income (see table). Learn more and apply here.

Help to reduce your energy usage:

Mass Save

Mass Save offers no-cost Home Energy Assessments to identify energy-saving opportunities and help customers access rebates and incentives. Income eligible homeowners and renters can receive a no-cost insulation upgrade and increased rebates on efficient heating equipment such as heat pumps.
Income eligibility: Household income must fall between 60 and 80 percent of the state's median income levels, and residents must live in a 1–4-unit home. Learn more and apply here.

Efficient Cold-Climate Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can reduce heating costs depending on your current heating source and the price you pay for electricity and your current heating fuel. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are 2–4 times more efficient than traditional heating systems and provide both heating and cooling. Learn about heat pump rebates here.
Mass Save heat pump incentives are higher for moderate-income households. Check your eligibility here.
Low-income households that currently use electric resistance, oil, or propane heat may qualify for 100% subsidized heat pumps through their local CAP agency.
MA utilities offer heat pump rates, which are lower electricity rates for customers who install heat pumps, increasing the amount of MA households that save from switching to a heat pump. Learn more about heat pump rates here.

Conservation Measures

Many resources offer tips on how to save energy in your home or apartment – here's one example.

PRO TIP: You can also save on fuel and maintenance costs with an electric vehicle!

In general, it is cheaper to drive on electricity than on gasoline (fuel costs vary by region). Plus, electric vehicle drivers save an average of $4,600 in lifetime maintenance and repair costs!

Ways To Save In Rhode Island

Help to pay your bills:

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP helps eligible households pay a portion of their winter heating bills — including oil, electricity, natural gas, propane, kerosene, wood, and coal.
Eligibility: Households must be at or below 60% of Rhode Island's Median Income Level (see table). Learn more and how to apply here.

Keep the Heat On

Keep the Heat On provides financial assistance to households that have exhausted or are ineligible for all other state, federal or private heating assistance. Learn more and how to apply here.

Help Making Payments

Through Rhode Island Energy, apply for discounts on your monthly energy bills, create a payment plan to handle unpaid back bills, or create a 12-month budget to help with high winter bills. Learn more, see eligibility, and how to apply here.

Green Municipal Aggregation

Some RI cities and towns have green municipal aggregation, allowing them to buy renewable electricity in bulk and offer residents a greener, often cheaper alternative to utility basic service.
These programs supply more local renewable energy than required by law, supporting new local clean energy projects.
Bulk purchasing and flexible timing typically result in prices lower than the utility’s basic service price.
It’s seamless: residents still get and pay their normal utility bill, with the community program listed in the supply section.
Residents can opt in or out anytime with no penalty.
Check whether your city or town participates here.

United Way’s Good Neighbor Energy Fund

The Good Neighbor Energy Fund provides financial assistance to households who are unable to meet their current energy expenses due to financial difficulty.
Eligibility: Income must not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level. Learn more and how to apply here.

Help to reduce your energy usage:

Free Home Energy Assessment Program

At no cost, an energy specialist will assess your current energy use, help you develop a plan to make your home more energy-efficient, and educate you on rebates and incentives for efficient heating equipment such as heat pumps. Learn more and request an appointment here.

Efficient Cold-Climate Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can reduce heating costs depending on your current heating source — especially if you heat with electric resistance. Modern cold-climate heat pumps are two to four times more efficient than traditional heating systems and provide both heating and cooling. Learn about heat pump rebates here.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

WAP offers customers whole house energy efficiency services. These services may include installing insulation and providing health and safety measures.
Eligibility: Must qualify for LIHEAP, learn more and how to apply here.

Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HSRRP)

HSRRP provides a one-time service to increase the heating system efficiency of owner-occupied residences.
Eligibility: Must qualify for LIHEAP and be an owner-occupied residence. Learn more and how to apply here.

Conservation Measures

Many resources offer tips on how to save energy in your home or apartment – here's one example.

PRO TIP: You can also save on fuel and maintenance costs with an electric vehicle!

In general, it is cheaper to drive on electricity than on gasoline (fuel costs vary by region). Plus, electric vehicle drivers save an average of $4,600 in lifetime maintenance and repair costs!