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Up to $8,500 in Mass Save rebates + up to $8,000 in HEAR federal rebates + 0% HEAT Loan financing. The federal 25C tax credit is gone, but Massachusetts incentives are stronger than ever.
Last updated February 2026 | Sources: Mass Save, MA DOER, IRA/HEAR program
Mass Save offers three heat pump rebate tiers in 2026: Whole-Home at $2,650/ton (max $8,500), Partial at $1,125/ton (max $4,500), and Basic at $250/ton (max $1,250). Add $500 sizing bonus + $500 weatherization bonus. Income-qualified households can stack HEAR federal rebates (up to $8,000) on top. Finance the remainder with the 0% HEAT Loan ($25K, 7 years). The federal 25C tax credit expired Dec 31, 2025 and provides $0 in 2026.
The 2026 program year brought significant changes to Mass Save heat pump rebates. Per-ton rates increased but caps decreased, R-410A equipment was removed from the qualified list, and the federal 25C tax credit expired entirely.
| Feature | 2025 | 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole-Home Rebate | $2,500/ton, cap $10,000 | $2,650/ton, cap $8,500 | Higher per-ton, lower cap |
| Partial Rebate | $1,000/ton, cap $5,000 | $1,125/ton, cap $4,500 | Higher per-ton, lower cap |
| Basic Rebate | $250/ton, cap $1,250 | $250/ton, cap $1,250 | Unchanged |
| Federal 25C Credit | Up to $2,000 | $0 (EXPIRED) | Eliminated |
| Qualifying Refrigerant | R-410A, R-32, R-454B | R-32, R-454B only | R-410A banned |
| HEAR Rebate (Low) | Up to $8,000 | Up to $8,000 | Still available |
| HEAT Loan | $25K, 7yr, 0% | $25K, 7yr, 0% | Unchanged |
| Sizing Bonus | $500 | $500 | Unchanged |
$2,500/ton, cap $10,000
$2,650/ton, cap $8,500
$1,000/ton, cap $5,000
$1,125/ton, cap $4,500
$250/ton, cap $1,250
$250/ton, cap $1,250
Up to $2,000
$0 (EXPIRED)
R-410A, R-32, R-454B
R-32, R-454B only
Up to $8,000
Up to $8,000
$25K, 7yr, 0%
$25K, 7yr, 0%
$500
$500
Federal 25C Tax Credit: EXPIRED. The Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit ended December 31, 2025. Any website or contractor claiming you can get a $2,000 federal tax credit for a heat pump in 2026 is providing outdated information. NuWatt's calculations reflect $0 in federal tax credits.
Mass Save structures heat pump rebates in three tiers based on how much of your home's heating load the heat pump will serve. The more fossil fuel heating you displace, the higher your per-ton rebate.
Primary heating source
Cap: $8,500 maximum
3-ton system = $7,950 | 4-ton = $8,500 (capped)
Supplemental heating
Cap: $4,500 maximum
3-ton system = $3,375 | 4-ton = $4,500 (capped)
Single-zone / supplemental
Cap: $1,250 maximum
3-ton system = $750 | 5-ton = $1,250 (capped)
Earned when your system is properly sized via Manual J load calculation. Prevents oversizing and ensures optimal performance. NuWatt includes Manual J at no additional cost.
Available when insulation or air sealing work is completed within 12 months of your heat pump installation. Insulation improvements are also available through Mass Save at 75-100% off.
Massachusetts removed R-410A heat pumps from the Mass Save qualified equipment list in 2026. Only systems using lower-GWP refrigerants (R-32 or R-454B) now qualify for rebates.
High global warming potential. No longer on Mass Save qualified equipment list. Equipment purchased with R-410A will not receive any Mass Save rebate.
Used by Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, LG, and Daikin. Mildly flammable (A2L class). Strong cold-climate performance. Most popular option for ductless systems.
Used by Carrier, Lennox, Trane, and Bosch. Lowest GWP option available. Mildly flammable (A2L class). Most common in ducted systems.
What does this mean for you? If you are getting a heat pump installed in 2026, make sure your contractor is quoting equipment with R-32 or R-454B refrigerant. NuWatt only installs rebate-qualifying equipment. If another company is quoting R-410A units at a lower price, those units will not qualify for any Mass Save rebates, costing you thousands in lost incentives.
While the 25C tax credit is dead, the HEAR (Home Efficiency Rebates) program is still alive. These are direct rebates (not tax credits) funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and administered through Mass Save. They are available until 2031 or until funds are exhausted.
HEAR rebates stack on top of Mass Save rebates. They do not reduce your Mass Save amount.
$8,000
Below 80% AMI
Households at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Can be combined with Mass Save rebates for total incentives up to $16,000 or a free system through the income-eligible program.
$4,000
80-150% AMI
Households between 80-150% of Area Median Income. Stacks with Mass Save rebates. A moderate-income whole-home installation could receive $8,500 + $4,000 + $1,000 = $13,500 total.
$0
Above 150% AMI
HEAR rebates are income-targeted. Households above 150% AMI receive Mass Save rebates and bonuses only. The 0% HEAT Loan and heat pump electric rate are available to all income levels.
A typical ducted whole-home heat pump system costs $14,000-$18,000 installed. With $16,950 in combined incentives, a low-income household could have their system installed at little to no out-of-pocket cost. The income-eligible program may cover 100% of remaining costs.
The Mass Save HEAT Loan provides 0% interest financing for qualifying energy efficiency improvements including heat pump installations. This covers your net cost after all rebates are applied.
Zero interest. The amount you borrow is the amount you repay.
Covers most heat pump installations after rebates.
No payments for the first 3 months.
Net cost: $3,000
Net cost: $5,500
Net cost: $7,500
Net cost: $1,000
Payments start after a 3-month deferral period. Calculated as net cost divided by 84 months at 0% interest.
Massachusetts utilities offer a discounted electric rate for heat pump owners during the heating season (November through April). This rate applies to all electricity used by your heat pump, significantly reducing operating costs during the coldest months.
Standard Rate
$0.33/kWh
HP Rate
$0.18/kWh
November through April. Based on typical heat pump usage.
Standard Rate
$0.31/kWh
HP Rate
$0.19/kWh
November through April. Based on typical heat pump usage.
How it works: Once your heat pump is installed, contact your utility to enroll in the heat pump electric rate. A separate meter or approved metering method tracks heat pump electricity usage, and the discounted rate is applied to those kWh during the November-April heating season. Learn more about the heat pump electric rate.
Awarded when your heat pump is properly sized using a Manual J load calculation. This professional engineering calculation analyzes your home's insulation levels, air infiltration rate, window types and sizes, orientation, and local climate data to determine the exact heating and cooling load.
Available when insulation or air sealing work is completed within 12 months of your heat pump installation. Mass Save offers free home energy assessments and subsidized insulation (75-100% off) making this bonus easy to earn while improving your home's thermal envelope.
Use this calculator to estimate your total incentives based on your system size, rebate tier, and income level. Results include Mass Save rebates, HEAR federal rebates (if applicable), bonuses, and HEAT Loan monthly payments.
3 tons
0% interest. No payments first 3 months.
Estimates based on Mass Save 2026 program rates. Actual rebate determined at time of installation. Federal 25C tax credit expired Dec 31, 2025 — not included.
Disclaimer: Calculator estimates are based on published 2026 Mass Save program rates. Actual rebate amounts are confirmed at time of installation and may vary. The federal 25C tax credit expired December 31, 2025 and is not included in these calculations.
Income-qualified Massachusetts households have access to the most generous heat pump incentive packages in the country. By combining Mass Save rebates with HEAR federal rebates, low-income households can receive up to $16,000 or more in total incentives, often covering the entire cost of installation.
Households at or below 60% AMI may qualify for Mass Save's income-eligible program, which can provide a heat pump system at no cost. This program covers equipment, installation, and any necessary electrical work. Contact Mass Save or NuWatt to check eligibility.
Massachusetts Community Action Agencies (CAAs) administer weatherization and heating system replacement programs for income-eligible households. These can include heat pump installations at no cost, separate from or in addition to Mass Save rebates.
Systems must be installed and documented (paperwork submitted) by February 28, 2027 to qualify for 2026 program year rebates. However, Mass Save rebate budgets are allocated annually and can be exhausted before this deadline. NuWatt recommends starting the process as early as possible to secure your rebate.
Week 1
NuWatt assesses your home, performs Manual J load calculation, and recommends the right system and rebate tier.
Week 2-3
We submit your Mass Save rebate application and HEAR paperwork (if income-qualified). Rebate amount is locked in.
Week 4-8
Professional heat pump installation by NATE-certified technicians. 1-3 days depending on system type.
Week 8-14
Mass Save processes your rebate after installation documentation is complete. Typically 4-6 weeks after install.
Installed costs by type, brand, and system size for Massachusetts.
Best models for New England winters — performance below 0°F.
Full sizing and savings calculator for your specific home.
Eversource and National Grid discounted rates for heat pump owners.
Free in-home assessment, Manual J calculation, and rebate estimate.
Official Mass Save rebate amounts, qualifying equipment, and program details.
0% interest HEAT Loan details, application process, and participating lenders.
Federal HEAR program details, income qualifications, and state-by-state availability.
Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources heat pump and clean energy transition guidance.
Last updated February 2026. Rebate amounts and program details are based on the most recent publicly available Mass Save and HEAR program information. Mass Save rebate budgets are set annually and can be exhausted. Contact NuWatt for a real-time rebate estimate based on current program status.
NuWatt handles the entire Mass Save rebate application. We perform Manual J sizing, file your rebate paperwork, coordinate HEAR applications for income-qualified households, and arrange 0% HEAT Loan financing.
No federal tax credit needed. Massachusetts has the strongest heat pump incentives in the country.