These energy efficiency and decarbonization efforts also produced significant total benefits worth $2.8 billion. 2024 saw over 1 million MWh in electric savings, 129 MW in summer demand savings, and 438 million therms saved. Our work with customers resulted in a total of 272,000 metric tons of CO2 avoided. That equates to eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions of more than 63,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for an entire year.
WE ARE MASS SAVE®:
2024 YEAR IN REVIEW
Energy efficient programs implemented by the Sponsors of Mass Save continued to deliver a measurable impact in 2024, providing customers with over $961 million in program incentives. These programs produced 74 million MMBtu savings across all fuel types — which is equivalent to the total energy usage of more than 852,000 Massachusetts homes for one year.
Once again, the installation of heat pumps was a key area of success in 2024. Aided by significant growth in the Heat Pump Installer Network (HPIN), 40,000 Massachusetts homes had heat pumps installed in 2024. Additionally, over 55,000 Massachusetts homes were weatherized; homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
2024 also marked the last year of the Massachusetts 2022-2024 Energy Efficiency Plan. In total, the Sponsors of Mass Save processed over $2.3 billion in incentives for customers while helping customers avoid 684,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions as part of the 2022-2024 Three-Year Plan term that will contribute to the 2030 climate goals.
These achievements would not have been possible without full collaboration among all stakeholders. The Sponsors are grateful for the combined efforts of the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (including the Equity Working Group and the Commercial & Industrial Working Group).
Over the last 15 years, the Sponsors of Mass Save have supported customers in reducing annual electricity consumption by 18 million MWh — more than three times the annual output of the retired 1 GW coal-fired Brayton Point Power Station.
LEADING THE WAY IN ENERGY SAVINGS AND GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION
As demonstrated throughout the 2022-2024 Three-Year Plan term, these nation-leading programs significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions across the state through decarbonization efforts.
Ensuring buildings are properly weatherized is vital to customers’ annual energy savings and to a clean energy future. Proper building weatherization can lower energy consumption from heating and cooling by up to 15%-20%. In 2024, 55,000 homes were weatherized, and many customers benefited from combining weatherization with heat pump installations for additional energy savings. The Sponsors supported the installation of heat pumps in 40,000 homes in 2024. Of those installations, 36% were “full displacements” of an existing fossil fuel heating system to further drive decarbonization.
Decarbonization Consultations, which launched in February 2024, helped increase the adoption of heat pump technology. The Sponsors of Mass Save provided 1,633 such consultations in 2024, and to support equitable outcomes, launched a Spanish-language option for both residential and commercial customers in September. Customer surveys provided clear evidence that 93% of customers found the consultations “very helpful,” and 98% would recommend them to a friend.
The Mass Save Sponsors processed a total of nearly 88,000 customer equipment rebates last year. With a new vendor onboard for 2024, rebate processing has significantly improved. Processing time dropped The Mass Save Sponsors processed a total of nearly 88,000 customer equipment rebates last year. With a new vendor onboard for 2024, rebate processing has significantly improved. Processing time dropped from 40 days to 26 days, and call center efficiency increased such that 87% of calls were answered within 30 seconds. Additional customer service enhancements included the launch of a chat feature on our rebate application portal and the introduction of digital payments for appliance rebates. A full rollout of the digital payment program is scheduled for 2025. Contractor rebate processing also improved in 2024 with the implementation of ACH payments for high-volume HPIN contractors, as well as a new portal for tracking customer rebate applications. The Sponsors implemented monthly HPIN contractor office hours to continue engagement with and answer program or application questions from the expanding network of contractors.
These initiatives are part of our ongoing effort to develop the HPIN, which now consists of over 1,850 HVAC companies. Enhancements to the HPIN enrollment criteria and search tool on MassSave.com allow our customers to search for HPIN contractors that have indicated they have staff who speak a language other than English and/or that they are a minority- or woman-owned business enterprise. The Sponsors recognize that a reliable infrastructure that includes the HPIN is vital to support customers exploring heat pumps and to drive heat pump adoption to help Massachusetts reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions goals
In 2024, the Sponsors recognized 19 Massachusetts organizations as Mass Save Climate Leaders for their significant investments in energy efficiency and ongoing sustainability efforts. This distinct designation included a diverse group ranging from the Berkshire Family YMCA (which fully replaced its steam boiler system with a comprehensive Variable Refrigerant Flow heat pump system) to Boston College (which replaced standard lighting with LED across all campuses and enhanced system controls, among many other improvements). The combined effort of these 19 Mass Save Climate Leaders led to more than 47,500 metric tons of CO2 avoided, which is the equivalent of taking over 11,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
As demonstrated in 2024, our nation-leading programs are helping hundreds of thousands of customers across Massachusetts to reduce their energy usage, as well as making significant contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state.
100,000 no-cost Home Energy Assessments completed each year, offering families and residents across Massachusetts key guidance on how to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint.
“We are committed to expanding access to our nation-leading programs and delivering energy efficiency benefits to more customers throughout Massachusetts, helping the Commonwealth achieve an equitable net zero future.”
– Christopher Porter, Director of Customer Energy Management, National Grid
Kate Peters from Eversource speaking at the Mass Save Climate Leader Award Ceremony, celebrating organizations across the Commonwealth that made significant contributions to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony honoring the 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders at the Massachusetts State House.
ENHANCING PROGRAM ACCESS AND SAVINGS FOR ALL
The Sponsors of Mass Save connected with many under-resourced communities in 2024, expanding access to energy efficiency solutions for customers with historically lower participation rates. These include low- and moderate-income households, non-English-speaking customers, small businesses, and both renters and landlords. Over the past year, more than 15,700 homes received weatherization services, and heat pumps were installed in 7,600 homes.
In 2024, the eligibility criteria for moderate-income customers expanded to include those earning 61%-80% of either the state median income or the area median income, leading to a 200% increase in program participation. The verification process was also simplified, allowing customers to self-attest their eligibility for weatherization. Additionally, an online application process was introduced to enhance accessibility and streamline rebate processing.
Valued partners collaborating during the Mass Save Community First Partnership Summit.
The Sponsors launched turnkey services that automatically qualify customers in select towns for enhanced incentives, making it easier to pursue weatherization, electrification, and other energy-saving upgrades. These initiatives ensure seamless start-to-finish support, minimize out-of-pocket costs, and accelerate incentive fulfillment. We actively collaborate with communities and partners to reach priority populations.
The Low-Income Energy Affordability Network, Massachusetts Community Action Program (CAP) agencies, and local development programs work together to deliver targeted efficiency solutions through incentives and outreach for underserved groups. CAP agencies, in partnership with Sponsors, support low-income households that earn 60% or below the state median income by providing full project management, technical expertise, and contractor oversight. They play a key role in implementing energy savings and decarbonization strategies, including no-cost heat pump installations, weatherization upgrades, and the removal of asbestos and other barriers.
Through the Strategic Renters Plan, the Sponsors continued to offer a 100% weatherization incentive for residential units and small businesses, as well as up to $5,000 per unit for pre-weatherization repairs. Both in-house and remote translation services for Spanish and Portuguese were provided to increase accessibility. Additional outreach included partnering with landlord associations and working with community partners to promote local messaging and outreach to encourage renters and landlords to participate in the Mass Save programs. Key pathways to reach renters and landlords include the Main Streets initiative, which reaches small business renters in Environmental Justice Communities, and Community First Partnerships.
The Community First Partnership continues to drive significant results. From 2022-2024, 52 communities participated in the initiative, which fosters partnerships with local organizations in under-resourced areas. To encourage engagement in energy efficiency programs, Community First Partners receive up to $60,000 in annual financial support for up to three years. In 2024 alone, the initiative facilitated over 9,000 Home Energy Assessments.
| Community | Organization |
|---|---|
| Adams | BRPC |
| Andover | Groundwork Lawrence |
| Aquinnah | Vineyard Power |
| Arlington | Municipality |
| Attleboro | Clean Water Action |
| Beverly | Municipality |
| Boston | Municipality |
| Brockton | Cape Verdean Association of Brockton |
| Cambridge | Municipality |
| Chelsea | Northern Suffolk Sustainability Office |
| Chilmark | Vineyard Power |
| Edgartown | Vineyard Power |
| Everett | Municipality |
| Fall River | Clean Water Action |
| Framingham | Municipality |
| Gloucester | Municipality |
| Great Barrington | BRPC |
| Haverhill | Groundwork Lawrence |
| Lanesborough | BRPC |
| Lawrence | All In Energy |
| Lee | BRPC |
| Lowell | Municipality |
| Lynn | Municipality |
| Malden | Municipality |
| Melrose | Municipality |
| Methuen | Groundwork Lawrence |
| Natick | Municipality |
| New Bedford | Clean Water Action |
| North Adams | BRPC |
| North Andover | Groundwork Lawrence |
| Norwood | Municipality |
| Oak Bluffs | Vineyard Power |
| Pittsfield | Ener-G-Save |
| Quincy | QARI |
| Randolph | QARI |
| Revere | Northern Suffolk Sustainability Office |
| Salem | Municipality |
| Sharon | Municipality |
| Shelburne | Municipality |
| Springfield | Ener-G-Save |
| Swampscott | Municipality |
| Taunton | Clean Water Action |
| Tisbury | Vineyard Power |
| Walpole | Municipality |
| Watertown | Municipality |
| West Springfield | Ener-G-Save |
| West Tisbury | Vineyard Power |
| Westborough | Municipality |
| Westport | Clean Water Action |
| Williamstown | BRPC |
| Winthrop | Northern Suffolk Sustainability Office |
| Worcester | Municipality |
In 2024, the Sponsors launched two application-funding rounds for the Mass Save Community Education Grant, which is designed to promote energy efficiency education and literacy. The program helps reduce the energy burden in Environmental Justice Communities by reaching renters, non-English speakers, and youth. The most recent funding rounds awarded 17 grants, with seven grantees set to launch new initiatives in 2025.
Apex Clean Energy Institute, a Mass Save Community Education Grant recipient, at a community event to provide energy efficiency education.
The Main Streets initiative connects small business owners with approved contractors to provide no-cost Energy Assessments and customized energy-saving solutions. In 2024, the Sponsors expanded their multilingual marketing strategy to better serve Environmental Justice Communities, where at least 25% of residents may have limited English proficiency. Language support is provided at in-person events, and all materials — such as flyers, applications, and contracts — are translated into the primary languages spoken in these communities. In 2024, the Sponsors hosted 88 Main Streets events.
The Language Access Plan was further expanded in 2024 to improve accessibility for non-English speakers in energy efficiency and electrification programs. Key efforts included translating vital documents, web pages, and marketing materials into multiple languages; improving coordination of translation services for program participants; and leveraging new marketing channels based on focus group insights into how different communities access information.
“The City of Lowell appreciates the leadership and support of the Sponsors of Mass Save. Their offerings on municipal, residential, and commercial levels are helping our community take the first steps to ensure a just and equitable energy transition.”
– Katherine Moses, Sustainability Director, City of Lowell
Residents from Quincy and Randolph sign up for Mass Save Home Energy Assessments at an event supported through the Community First Partnership.
Local outreach efforts on Martha’s Vineyard in partnership with Vineyard Power, a Mass Save Community First Partner
STRENGTHENING AND DIVERSIFYING THE WORKFORCE
While the Commonwealth’s energy efficiency workforce remains robust, it is vital that we continue to diversify the workforce, and our supply chains, to represent all the communities they serve. As part of this effort, the Sponsors held two Supplier Diversity Summits in 2024. These summits emphasized intentional engagement, tailored support, and actionable outcomes for minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs). At each summit, the Sponsors hosted a listening session with diverse suppliers, Mass Save program lead vendors, and procurement teams. These sessions provided critical insights into the unique barriers MWBEs face, as well as the procurement needs of lead vendors.
Local minority and women-owned businesses, partners, and the Mass Save Sponsors networking at the Mass Save Supplier Diversity Summit.
As a further step, both summits offered matchmaking opportunities to support collaboration and the growth of diverse suppliers. These summits highlighted the Sponsors’ ongoing efforts to empower MWBEs, foster partnerships, and ensure that diversity remains a central pillar of the Massachusetts energy efficiency workforce.
The Mass Save Clean Energy Pathways program, which matches interns with local companies for a three-month paid internship, also saw continued success in 2024. The internships are designed to develop skills in HVAC or weatherization, particularly among young adults of diverse backgrounds. Program partners include MassHire Workforce Boards and Career Centers, technical schools, post-secondary institutions, and diverse community-based organizations with rich local networks. A total of 37 interns were matched with business partners in 2024, with 32 completing the program and 25 receiving permanent offers from their employers. This is a tangible result of the Sponsors’ ongoing efforts to develop a fully representative energy efficiency workforce.
Again in 2024, the Sponsors provided continuing support for Environmental Justice Communities through the Mass Save Workforce Training Grant. The program awards funding for contractor training and certifications in various areas of energy efficiency such as HVAC and weatherization. The Sponsors received grant applications from 12 organizations and 12 individuals across 10 Environmental Justice Communities in 2024. A total of $246,000 in grant funding went to 16 awardees. In 2024, a past grant awardee, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River, used this funding to train a dozen students in heat pump installation.
The Mass Save Green STEP sustainability education program is another initiative designed to expand and diversify the energy efficiency workforce by partnering with technical high schools. The program supplements existing high school curriculum with specialized training workshops related to science, technology, engineering, and math. Many of these trainings offer students industry credentials that will better position them for jobs upon graduation. Mass Save Green STEP provides education on energy and sustainability while increasing student awareness of job opportunities in such emerging industries as weatherization, home performance, and clean energy production. Mass Save Green STEP can also help students gain entry into the sustainability and green building industries through work-based learning, apprenticeships, internships, and job shadowing.
In addition, the Sponsors have partnered with Passive House Massachusetts to provide training on both passive house standards and all-electric home design to support workforce development and market transformation in the energy efficiency and building construction industries.
Ongoing energy code training is another component of the Sponsors’ outreach efforts. This includes compliance training, technical support, and the provision of documentation tools for Massachusetts code officials and other building industry stakeholders such as builders, subcontractors, suppliers, and design professionals.
Through these multifaceted efforts, the Sponsors of Mass Save are committed to not only defining a sustainable energy future in Massachusetts but also creating a diverse, highly trained workforce capable of achieving it.
“My experience was nothing short of amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better support system. You were tremendous for securing me a job that will turn into a career.”
– Adrian Perez, Intern, Clean Energy Pathways
