Mass Save Home Visits

For a rented single-family home or a building with 4 or fewer apartments, you can request a Home Energy Assessment through Mass Save or through one of their certified Home Performance Contractors. You just need your electric or gas account number to request this home visit. They’ll spend about an hour in your home reviewing a checklist of energy-saving opportunities. At the end of their visit, they will provide you with energy-saving devices such as low-flow shower heads and programmable thermostats designed to reduce your utility bills. They’ll also give you information for your landlord about more costly improvements such as insulation for your attic. You don’t need your landlord’s permission to have a Home Energy Assessment, but the contractor will ask for their contact information so they can share their recommendations for insulation and other energy-saving building improvements. 

The level of incentives for your unit is determined by your total household income. Check this chart before your Home Energy Assessment and let your Energy Specialist know if you believe you would qualify for the Income Eligible Program or the Enhanced Incentive program. 

If your building has more than 4 units in it, Mass Save’s Multi-Family pathway shows how building owners, property management companies, or condo boards can access energy efficiency services. 

If you have a municipal power company instead, check its website or call to learn what energy-saving opportunities it offers.

Shopping for Portable Appliances 

Some renters have opportunities to buy portable appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, or window air conditioners. To save money on your operating costs, we always recommend buying EnergyStar-rated appliances. EnergyStar now has a “Most Efficient” rating tier. Click here for more information. Another useful tool for comparing appliances is the yellow EnergyGuide labels. 

The EnergyStar program has existed for 3 decades, saving taxpayers about $16 billion a year while costing only 32 million. Although the current federal administration has proposed ending the EnergyStar program, choosing more efficient appliances will continue to save you money.  

Clothes washers: EnergyStar clothes washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water than standard models. Mass Save offers a $150 rebate on EnergyStar clothes washers. You can compare EnergyStar models online.

Clothes dryers: EnergyStar-certified clothes dryers use about 20% less energy than standard models and heat pump clothes dryers use about 40% less energy. Mass Save offers rebates for both kinds. You can compare clothes dryers online.

Air conditioners: Mass Save offers a rebate on EnergyStar room air conditioners, which use about 23% less energy than standard models. Learn how to choose the correct size room air conditioner and compare models here.

Talking with Your Landlord 

Mass Save covers up to 100% of the cost of insulating rental units and offers other incentives for landlords. When you have your home energy assessment, ask if your refrigerator, water heater, or heating and cooling equipment are nearing replacement age.  Follow up by referring your landlord to Mass Save to find out whether they could purchase more efficient replacements for less money.