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Get a Free QuoteUnitil customers in Fitchburg, Lunenburg, and surrounding towns get the same Mass Save rebates as Eversource and National Grid -- up to $8,500 for whole-home heat pumps, plus a 0% HEAT Loan and income-eligible pathways covering up to 100% of costs.
Last updated March 2026. Federal 25C tax credit EXPIRED Dec 31, 2025.
Unitil is the third investor-owned utility (IOU) in Massachusetts after Eversource and National Grid. Despite being smaller, Unitil customers receive the exact same Mass Save rebates, HEAT Loan terms, and energy assessment benefits as customers of the larger utilities.
Electric & Gas
Pop. ~41,000 -- Unitil headquarters city. Both electric and gas service.
Electric & Gas
Pop. ~11,000 -- Full electric and gas coverage.
Electric (partial)
Pop. ~3,200 -- Electric service only. Parts of town served by Unitil.
Electric (partial)
Pop. ~9,800 -- Partial electric coverage in select areas.
Electric (partial)
Pop. ~6,300 -- Partial electric service area.
~70K
total customers
27K electric + 43K gas
Mass Save is a statewide program. Unitil customers receive the same rebate amounts as Eversource and National Grid. Rebates are based on system tonnage and how much of your heating load the heat pump covers.
Heat pump serves as primary heating source for entire home.
Cap: $8,500 maximum
Heat pump supplements existing heating system.
Cap: $8,500 maximum
Single-zone or supplemental installation.
Cap: $2,500 maximum
Earned when your system is properly sized via Manual J load calculation. NuWatt includes Manual J at no additional cost.
Available when insulation or air sealing is completed within 12 months of your heat pump installation through Mass Save.
Federal 25C Tax Credit: EXPIRED. Section 25C ended December 31, 2025. There is $0 in federal tax credits for heat pump purchases in 2026. Mass Save rebates and the 0% HEAT Loan are available now through Unitil.
Be straight with the numbers: Unitil's all-in residential rate of ~$0.4506/kWh is the highest of the three Massachusetts investor-owned utilities -- above National Grid and Eversource, and among the highest in the country. Unitil also does not offer a dedicated heat pump electric rate. At this rate a heat pump is roughly a wash on operating cost versus oil and propane, so the real wins are the Mass Save rebates, the dramatic savings versus electric-resistance heat, escape from volatile oil/propane prices, and pairing the heat pump with rooftop solar to displace $0.45/kWh grid power.
Standard rate, all year
All-In Standard Rate
$0.4506
/kWh -- highest of the 3 MA IOUs
Heat pump at $0.45/kWh vs. each fuel
vs. Electric Baseboard
COP 3.0 vs COP 1.0
HP $44 vs $132
vs. Natural Gas
At $2.05/therm, 92% efficiency
HP $44 vs $22
vs. Heating Oil
At $4.19/gal, 85% efficiency
HP $44 vs $36
vs. Propane
At $3.65/gal, 90% efficiency
HP $44 vs $44
Why this matters for a heat pump. Unitil is a smaller utility (~27,000 electric customers vs. Eversource's 1.5+ million) and has not filed a separate heat pump tariff with the MA DPU. Worse, its standard rate ($0.4506/kWh) is the highest of the three MA IOUs -- above Eversource ($0.359/kWh) and National Grid ($0.39/kWh). A high electricity rate makes a heat pump cost more to run, so at today's fuel prices the heat pump is roughly a wash versus oil and propane and costs more than gas. The savings that do hold up are versus electric-resistance heat (about $132/MMBTU vs. $44/MMBTU for the heat pump), plus the up-front Mass Save rebates and protection from oil/propane price spikes.
Qualifying Unitil customers can receive up to 100% of heat pump costs covered through Mass Save's income-eligible pathway. This is the most impactful program available for lower-income households in the Fitchburg and Lunenburg area.
Lowest income tier
Up to 100%
of heat pump cost covered
Up to 100% of heat pump cost covered. Includes installation, equipment, and often insulation at no cost.
Moderate income tier
Enhanced
rebates + deeper insulation
Enhanced rebates + deeper weatherization subsidies. Significant reduction in out-of-pocket costs compared to standard tiers.
Standard income
$9,500
max rebates + bonuses
Standard Mass Save tiers + 0% HEAT Loan. 0% HEAT Loan covers the rest.
The Mass Save HEAT Loan is available to all Unitil customers. This is a true 0% interest loan -- no origination fees, no hidden costs. It covers your net cost after all rebates are applied.
0%
Interest Rate
$25K
Maximum Amount
3-7 yr
Term Length
| Term | Length | Monthly Payment* |
|---|---|---|
| Longest | 7 years (84 mo) | $89/mo |
| Mid | 5 years (60 mo) | $125/mo |
| Shortest | 3 years (36 mo) | $208/mo |
*Estimated payment based on $7,500 loan amount (after $8,500 rebate on typical $16,000 system).
Unitil customers have access to these additional Mass Save incentives that stack on top of your heat pump rebate.
Mass Save rebate through Unitil for a qualifying smart thermostat (ecobee, Nest, Honeywell). Helps optimize heat pump performance and reduce energy costs.
Unitil/Mass Save covers 75% of insulation costs for standard-income customers and up to 100% for income-eligible households. Must complete energy assessment first.
Earned when your system is properly sized via Manual J load calculation. NuWatt includes Manual J at no additional cost.
Available when insulation or air sealing work is completed within 12 months of heat pump installation through Mass Save.
Here is how Unitil compares to the two larger Massachusetts IOUs for heat pump programs. Mass Save rebates are identical -- the differences are in electric rates and supplemental programs.
| Program | Unitil | Eversource | National Grid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Rate | $0.4506/kWh | $0.3590/kWh | $0.3900/kWh |
| HP Electric Rate | No dedicated HP rate | $0.18/kWh (Nov-Apr) | $0.19/kWh (Nov-Apr) |
| Mass Save Rebate | Up to $8,500 | Up to $8,500 | Up to $8,500 |
| ConnectedSolutions | Not participating | $275/kW summer | $225/kW summer |
| HEAT Loan | 0% APR, up to $25K | 0% APR, up to $25K | 0% APR, up to $25K |
| Territory Size | ~27,000 electric customers | ~71% of MA customers | ~25% of MA customers |
Key takeaway: Unitil customers get the same $8,500 Mass Save rebate and 0% HEAT Loan as customers of the larger utilities. The two main differences work against Unitil customers: (1) no dedicated heat pump electric rate, and Unitil's standard rate ($0.4506/kWh) is actually the highest of the three IOUs, not the lowest; and (2) no ConnectedSolutions battery program. For most homeowners in Fitchburg and Lunenburg, the Mass Save rebate is the primary incentive and it is identical across all three utilities -- but the high rate is exactly why pairing the heat pump with rooftop solar makes the most financial sense in Unitil territory.
Here is everything a Unitil customer can receive with a whole-home heat pump and insulation upgrades. The big operating savings come from replacing electric-resistance heat; if you currently burn oil or propane, the heat pump is roughly a wash on running cost at Unitil's high rate, so the rebates and price-volatility protection carry the case.
Mass Save Whole-Home Rebate (3 tons)
$2,650/ton x 3 tons
Sizing Bonus (Manual J)
Free with NuWatt
Weatherization Bonus
Insulation within 12 months
Smart Thermostat Rebate
ecobee, Nest, or Honeywell
Operating Savings vs. Electric Baseboard
COP 3.0 at $0.45/kWh, 40-60 MMBTU/yr load
Insulation Subsidy (75% covered)
Savings vs. paying full price
One-Time Incentives
$11,050+
Annual Savings vs. Electric Heat
$3,500-$5,300
Not included: Federal 25C tax credit ($0 -- expired Dec 31, 2025). ConnectedSolutions battery revenue ($0 -- Unitil does not participate). All other incentives shown are current and available now.
Use this calculator to estimate your total Mass Save rebate based on your system size, tier, and income level. Results include bonuses and HEAT Loan estimates.
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.
Note: Mass Save rebate tiers and amounts are the same for all MA utilities including Unitil. This calculator shows the statewide Mass Save program. Unitil customers do not have ConnectedSolutions battery revenue or a dedicated HP rate, but the core rebate structure is identical.
Call Mass Save at 866-527-7283 (mention you are a Unitil customer) or contact NuWatt directly. A home energy advisor assesses your insulation, heating system, and heat pump sizing needs at no cost. Takes 2-3 hours.
Mass Save typically subsidizes 75-100% of insulation and air sealing costs for Unitil customers. Complete this work first to maximize heat pump efficiency and qualify for the $500 weatherization bonus.
NuWatt provides a detailed proposal with Manual J sizing. We submit your Mass Save rebate application to lock in your rebate amount and set up your 0% HEAT Loan through a participating lender.
Professional installation of your cold-climate heat pump system. 1-3 days depending on system type. All equipment uses R-32 or R-454B refrigerant (required for Mass Save qualification).
Mass Save processes your rebate (typically 4-6 weeks after installation). The HEAT Loan covers your net cost. Enjoy lower heating bills starting immediately.
Unitil participates in the Mass Save program, which provides the same statewide heat pump rebate tiers as Eversource and National Grid: Whole-Home at $2,650/ton (max $8,500), Partial at $1,125/ton (max $8,500), and Basic at $250/ton (max $2,500). Additional bonuses include $500 for proper sizing (Manual J) and $500 for weatherization. The 0% HEAT Loan up to $25,000 is also available through Unitil.
No. As of 2026, Unitil does not offer a dedicated heat pump electric rate discount like Eversource ($0.18/kWh winter) or National Grid ($0.19/kWh winter). And unlike those utilities, Unitil's standard residential rate of about $0.4506/kWh is the HIGHEST of the three MA investor-owned utilities — well above Eversource ($0.359/kWh) and National Grid ($0.39/kWh), and among the highest in the country. Because of that high rate, a Unitil heat pump's biggest wins are the Mass Save rebates, large savings versus electric-resistance heat, and protection from volatile oil and propane prices — not a low cost per kWh.
Be realistic about this. At Unitil's high electricity rate (about $0.4506/kWh), a cold-climate heat pump running at a seasonal COP of 3.0 costs roughly $44 per MMBTU of delivered heat — close to oil at $4.19/gal (about $36/MMBTU) and propane (about $44/MMBTU), and more than natural gas (about $22/MMBTU). So the heat pump is roughly a wash on operating cost versus oil and propane at today's prices, and costs more than gas. Where it wins big is versus electric baseboard or electric resistance heat (about $132/MMBTU — the heat pump is roughly two-thirds cheaper). The financial case for a Unitil customer is therefore driven by the up-front Mass Save rebates, escape from oil/propane price spikes, decarbonization, and — if you add rooftop solar — using your own generation in place of $0.45/kWh grid power.
Unitil serves approximately 27,000 electric customers and 43,000 gas customers in north-central Massachusetts. Their primary service area includes Fitchburg (both electric and gas), Lunenburg (electric and gas), and parts of Ashby, Townsend, and Ashburnham (electric only). If you are unsure whether you are a Unitil customer, check your electric bill or call Unitil at 888-301-7700.
Yes. Mass Save is a statewide program funded by all Massachusetts investor-owned utilities, including Unitil. The rebate tiers, amounts, qualification requirements, and HEAT Loan terms are identical regardless of whether you are a Unitil, Eversource, or National Grid customer. The main differences between utilities are electric rates and participation in programs like ConnectedSolutions.
No. Unitil does not participate in the ConnectedSolutions battery demand response program. ConnectedSolutions is available only through Eversource and National Grid. Unitil customers who install home batteries can still use them for backup power and self-consumption, but will not receive demand response payments from Unitil.
Unitil customers who meet income guidelines (generally below 60% of Area Median Income) may qualify for up to 100% of the cost of a heat pump installation covered through Mass Save's income-eligible pathway. Households between 60-80% AMI receive enhanced rebates and deeper insulation subsidies. Contact Mass Save at 866-527-7283 or NuWatt to check your eligibility.
Yes. The Mass Save HEAT Loan provides 0% interest financing up to $25,000 and is available to all Massachusetts utility customers including Unitil. Terms are up to 7 years (84 months); the specific term is set by your participating lender during the application review. There are no origination fees, no closing costs, and no prepayment penalty. The loan covers your net cost after all rebates are applied.
No. The federal Section 25C energy efficiency tax credit expired on December 31, 2025, under the OBBBA legislation signed July 4, 2025. There is $0 in federal tax credits for residential heat pump purchases in 2026. Mass Save rebates (up to $9,500 with bonuses) and the 0% HEAT Loan remain available through Unitil.
Call Mass Save at 866-527-7283 and identify yourself as a Unitil customer, or contact NuWatt directly. Mass Save will schedule a free home energy assessment where an advisor evaluates your insulation, heating system, and heat pump sizing needs. The assessment typically takes 2-3 hours and includes blower door testing. No-cost insulation recommendations are often available.
Through Mass Save, Unitil customers can receive 75% of insulation and air sealing costs covered (standard income) or up to 100% covered (income-eligible households). This includes attic insulation, wall insulation, basement/crawl space insulation, and air sealing. Insulation work should ideally be completed before or alongside heat pump installation for maximum performance.
NuWatt handles your Mass Save rebate application, HEAT Loan setup, and insulation coordination. We make sure Unitil customers in Fitchburg, Lunenburg, and surrounding towns get every dollar available.
Free assessment. Mass Save HPIN. Serving Fitchburg, Lunenburg, and all Unitil territory.
