Massachusetts Heat Pump Electric Rate: Save $70-$141/Month (2026 Guide)

The heat pump electric rate is a special discounted electricity tariff available to Massachusetts homeowners with qualifying heat pump systems. During heating season (November through April), you pay a reduced per-kWh rate on the electricity used by your heat pump. Eversource offers approximately $0.18/kWh vs their standard $0.33/kWh, and National Grid offers approximately $0.19/kWh vs their standard $0.31/kWh.

The heat pump electric rate applies during heating season only: November 1 through April 30 (6 months). During the remaining months (May through October), you pay your standard residential rate. The discount applies automatically to your bill each month during the qualifying period once you are enrolled.

Savings depend on your utility and how much your heat pump runs. Eversource customers typically save $70-$141/month during heating season ($840-$1,692 total over 6 months). National Grid customers save $60-$120/month ($720-$1,440 total over 6 months). Homes with larger heat pump systems that serve as the primary heating source see the highest savings.

You need a qualifying cold-climate heat pump (ccASHP) or a qualifying ducted or ductless mini-split heat pump system. Window units and portable heat pumps do not qualify. The system must be professionally installed and serve as a meaningful heating source for your home. Both air-source and ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps qualify.

Yes. The heat pump electric rate and solar net metering are separate programs that stack together. Your solar net metering credits offset your electric bill, and the heat pump rate reduces the cost of the electricity your heat pump consumes from the grid. If your solar system covers most of your non-heating electricity, the heat pump rate makes your winter heating costs significantly lower than they would be at the standard rate.

Contact your utility (Eversource or National Grid) after your heat pump is installed. You will need to provide proof of installation, including the installer invoice and equipment model numbers. Your utility may send a technician to verify the installation. Once approved, the rate is applied automatically each November through April. Enrollment typically takes 2-4 weeks.

The discounted rate applies to the electricity consumed by the heat pump system specifically. In practice, most utilities apply the discount rate to your entire home usage during heating season because separating heat pump consumption from household usage is impractical without a dedicated meter. Some utilities may require a separate meter for the heat pump circuit. Check with your specific utility for their current metering requirements.

You can enroll at any time of year, but the rate only takes effect during the next eligible heating season period (November-April). If you install a heat pump in January and enroll immediately, the rate may apply for the remainder of that heating season. However, if your utility requires verification and that process extends past April, you would start receiving the discount the following November.

Some municipal light plants (MLPs) in Massachusetts offer their own heat pump rate programs, but they are not required to match Eversource or National Grid programs. Rates and eligibility vary by municipality. Contact your local municipal utility to ask about heat pump rate options. Notable MLPs with heat pump programs include Belmont, Concord, and Wellesley.

No. The federal Section 25C energy efficiency tax credit expired on December 31, 2025. There is no federal tax credit available for heat pump purchases in 2026. However, HEAR rebates (up to $8,000 for income-qualified households) remain available through 2031 or until funding is exhausted. The heat pump electric rate provides ongoing operational savings that partially offset the loss of the federal credit.