Massachusetts & New Hampshire homeowners
Before Winter: The 2026 Energy Rebates Homeowners May Still Be Able to Use
Heat pumps, insulation and air sealing can still qualify for meaningful savings—but the programs, deadlines and rules differ on each side of the state line.
The short answer
As colder weather approaches, homeowners often start thinking about drafty rooms, rising heating costs and aging equipment. Meaningful energy incentives are still available in Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2026, but eligibility depends on the utility, property, equipment, contractor and timing.
One important change: the former federal home-energy tax credits do not apply to improvements placed in service after December 31, 2025. The principal 2026 opportunities are utility-sponsored rebates, income-based programs and financing.
Local perspective
Start with an energy assessment
An assessment can identify heat loss, determine whether insulation and air sealing should come before new equipment and establish which programs may apply.
Mass Save offers no-cost virtual or in-person Home Energy Assessments for eligible Massachusetts customers. In New Hampshire, homeowners can begin with the NHSaves Home Heating Index and Home Energy Performance program.
- Complete required assessments or pre-verification before authorizing work.
- Confirm utility territory, qualifying equipment and contractor participation.
- Use the assessment to size equipment to the house—not the other way around.
Local perspective
Massachusetts heat-pump and weatherization incentives
Mass Save’s 2026 standard air-source heat-pump rebates range from $250 per ton for basic projects to $2,650 per ton for qualifying whole-home systems, with whole- and partial-home rebates capped at $8,500.
Income-qualified households may be eligible for enhanced air-source heat-pump incentives of up to $16,000. Approved insulation incentives may cover 75% to 100% of the work, with targeted air sealing available at no cost after an assessment.
- Whole-home, partial-home and basic projects follow different rules.
- Qualifying weatherization may be required before a whole-home rebate.
- Eligible 2026 equipment must generally be installed by December 31, with applications and supporting documents received by February 28, 2027.
Local perspective
New Hampshire programs are more targeted
NHSaves lists a standard 2026 air-source heat-pump rebate of $250 per ton for qualifying customers and equipment. A larger combined incentive of $2,000 per ton may apply to eligible Eversource, Liberty and Unitil customers replacing permanent electric-resistance heat, with pre-verification required.
The NHSaves Home Energy Performance program reports incentives of up to $6,000 toward qualifying weatherization improvements. New Hampshire Electric Cooperative members follow a cooperative-specific program path.
- Funding is limited and program terms may change.
- NHSaves currently publishes inconsistent December 30 and December 31 installation language, so homeowners should confirm their deadline directly.
- Do not purchase equipment based on an expected HEAR rebate until New Hampshire publishes an open application process and final rules.
Local perspective
Financing can help, but it is still debt
The Mass Save HEAT Loan can provide eligible Massachusetts homeowners with 0% financing of up to $25,000 for qualifying improvements. That is a lifetime maximum across eligible efficiency projects, and lender approval is required.
Eligible New Hampshire Home Energy Performance participants may have access to unsecured loans of up to $15,000, with the published rate depending on the participating utility and program terms.
- Separate the gross project price, each confirmed rebate, the financed amount and the final out-of-pocket cost.
- Compare the payment, term and total project cost with realistic energy savings.
- Identify in writing who applies for and receives every incentive.
Local perspective
Do not count on the former federal credits
The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and Residential Clean Energy Credit were terminated for qualifying improvements placed in service or expenditures made after December 31, 2025.
A homeowner completing work in fall 2026 should not assume that the former federal credits for heat pumps, insulation, windows, solar or related improvements will apply. Individual tax questions should be reviewed with a qualified tax professional.
Local perspective
A checklist before signing
- Confirm the electric and gas utility serving the property.
- Complete the required assessment or pre-verification first.
- Verify the exact equipment model and contractor eligibility.
- Request two or three written proposals and a heating-load calculation.
- Confirm installation and application deadlines directly with the program administrator.
- Do not authorize work solely because a future program is expected to launch.