- James Smithell
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
We get a lot of questions about the Mass Save rebate program—especially when it comes to heat pumps. There are several terms you might hear when discussing Mitsubishi heat pump systems, including ASHP (Air Source Heat Pumps), cold climate heat pumps, ductless, or mini splits, just to name a few.
What Is the Mass Save ASHP Program?
The Mass Save program is a collaborative effort between Massachusetts electric and gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers. These include Eversource, National Grid, Cape Light Compact, Unitil, Berkshire Gas, and Liberty Utilities.
If you’re in one of these service areas, you’re paying into the program—so you’re eligible to use it for certain energy efficiency upgrades, such as installing heat pumps. However, many contractors are pushing homeowners into this program without fully explaining what you’re signing up for and agreeing to legally.
At New England Heat Pump Co., we love helping our customers get money back through Mass Save. But we believe in doing it for the right reasons.
Let’s break down the two types of Mass Save rebates for air source heat pumps and explore their pros and cons:
1.) Mass Save Whole Home Rebate
Overview:
As of 2025, the Whole Home rebate offers $3,000 per ton, with a maximum of $10,000. The system must be sized between 90%–120% of your home’s heating load, which requires a Manual J load calculation from the contractor.
This rebate is designed to encourage homeowners to switch from fossil fuels to more environmentally friendly alternatives—not necessarily to lower your operating costs.
Key Requirements:
Existing fossil fuel systems must be disconnected.
Both the homeowner and contractor must sign off confirming that the old system is disabled.
If your domestic hot water is connected to your fossil heating system, the heating side will be disabled, but you can continue using the water heating function.
All Mass Save jobs are subject to post-installation inspections.
Our Approach:
At New England Heat Pump Co., we don’t use rebates to make our quotes appear cheaper. Instead, we focus on your goals and design a system that fits your needs—even if that means a single ductless mini split unit.
The Mass Save Whole Home rebate can be an excellent option, but the system must be carefully designed. Poorly designed systems can lead to:
Higher operating costs
Short cycling
Humidity issues
Oversizing in cooling mode
Understanding equipment capabilities, turn-down ratios, and load calculations is critical. Our consultants are technicians—not salespeople—with real-world, hands-on experience. We pride ourselves on educating you about the technology so you can make an informed decision.
Is It Worth It?
It depends entirely on your goals. Mitsubishi heat pumps can absolutely heat and cool any New England home—but the system must be the right fit for your home and comfort needs.
2) Mass Save Partial Home / Integrated Controls Rebate
Overview:
The Partial Home rebate is another option, but it comes with different rules. The system must offset the zone served by your existing fossil heating system. If your fossil system has one thermostat per floor, each of those zones must be offset with an integrated control system.
How It Works:
Let’s say Zone 1 (your first-floor thermostat) covers your entire first floor. If we’re only installing Mitsubishi ductless units in two rooms on that floor, the other rooms may become cold once the integrated controls switch from fossil heat to heat pumps at the designated temperature.
These design temperatures are:
30°F for oil and natural gas
5°F for propane
The integrated controls automatically switch the heat source based on these thresholds.
Additional Notes:
The homeowner and contractor must sign off that the integrated controls were installed and set properly.
The homeowner is ultimately responsible for ensuring the system switches over at the right set points.
Manual J load calculations are not required for this rebate, but we still recommend them to ensure optimal system design.
As with all Mass Save rebates, these jobs are subject to post-installation inspections.
Is It Worth It?
Just like the Whole Home rebate, the Partial Home rebate can be great—for the right home. But again, there are many factors to consider. Your contractor should walk you through all of these details during your home consultation.
Final Thoughts
Mass Save rebates—whether for whole-home or partial-home systems—can be a fantastic opportunity to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. But they’re not one-size-fits-all.
At New England Heat Pump Co., we take the time to understand your home and goals, then design a system that’s right for you. We’re not here to push rebates—we’re here to help you make the best long-term investment in your home.
Have questions or want a personalized consultation? Reach out today—we’re here to help.
Thank You,Â
James SmithellÂ
Owner/operatorÂ
603-475-4809
New England Heat Pump CO.