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Home Energy Assessment FAQs
Mass Save® is a collaborative of Massachusetts’ electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers that encourages residents and businesses to make energy efficient upgrades by offering a wide range of services, rebates, incentives, trainings, and information.
To make these resources more accessible to the public and to historically underserved populations, Mass Save launched the Community First Partnership (CFP) Program. This initiative engages renters, landlords, income-eligible households, first language other than English households, and small businesses in participating communities to ensure the benefits of energy efficiency are more equitably distributed.
The City of Watertown participates in the CFP program, which enables us to have a full-time Energy Advocate on staff to personally assist residents and small businesses with accessing Mass Save incentive programs. It also allows us to contract a Home Performance Contractor to help increase energy efficiency in your home and potentially save you money. While the City of Watertown feels this program provides meaningful benefits for its residents, it is completely voluntary to participate.
See below FAQs to learn more about the program, Watertown’s contractor, and the possibilities.
QuestionWhat is a Home Performance Contractor (HPC)?
An HPC offers residential customers turnkey services, from performing Home Energy Assessments to installing program-approved weatherization and other energy-efficiency improvements. HPCs work directly with customers and conduct outreach to advertise the program and its benefits. The City of Watertown chose HomeWorks as its designated HPC through a competitive bidding process.
QuestionWho is HomeWorks Energy?
HomeWorks is a Massachusetts-based residential energy efficiency company that is certified as a Home Performance Contractor to provide Mass Save Home Energy Assessments (HEAs), discounts, and rebates to electric and gas customers. There are several such companies certified by Mass Save to provide these services to Massachusetts residents.
QuestionWhy did Watertown decide to partner with HomeWorks?
The City chose to work with HomeWorks as an HPC to increase its capacity to reach residents directly and to make it simpler for residents to participate in Mass Save programs. HomeWorks is able to conduct in-person canvassing, tabling, informational sessions, and more. Residents who wish to sign up for a Home Energy Assessment can also work directly with HomeWorks rather than seeking out a contractor on their own. This streamlines the Mass Save process for residents, ultimately increasing participation in programs that reduce our community’s energy use, save residents money on energy bills, and help the City reach its climate and energy goals.
QuestionWhat other cities and towns does HomeWorks partner with?
HomeWorks has similar HPC agreements with Arlington, Canton, Malden, Gloucester, Lexington, and many more communities. They also partner with non-profit organizations, such as Green Newton and the Sustainable Sharon Coalition.
QuestionHow does this program relate to Watertown’s climate goals?
Resident participation in the Mass Save program aligns with Watertown’s climate goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which are Watertown’s biggest source of community-wide emissions. By helping residents access Home Energy Assessments, weatherization upgrades, and high-efficiency technologies like heat pumps, Mass Save accelerates the transition away from fossil fuel-based heating and cooling and inefficient appliances. Widespread participation lowers overall energy demand, improves grid stability, and enhances climate resilience at the local level.
QuestionWhat services is HomeWorks conducting as part of this partnership?
The scope of Watertown’s agreement with HomeWorks is limited to Home Energy Assessments (see below question for more details), weatherization, and insulation in residential buildings with 1-4 units as well as small businesses and non-profits. If a resident chooses to pursue installing heat pumps or other HVAC upgrades, we always recommend getting at least three quotes from different companies before making a decision.
HomeWorks will not receive any compensation from the City for its services under the signed agreement.
QuestionWhat is a Home Energy Assessment (HEA)?
The Home Energy Assessment provided through the Mass Save program is a no-cost service available to Massachusetts residents, including homeowners, renters, landlords, and property managers. Funded by energy efficiency charges on utility bills, the assessment is designed to help households identify opportunities to reduce energy use, lower utility bills, and improve home comfort and safety. It can be scheduled as either an in-person or virtual visit and is conducted by a trained Home Energy Specialist from a Mass Save–approved HPC.
During the assessment, the Home Energy Specialist conducts a thorough evaluation of your home’s insulation, heating and cooling systems, lighting, appliances, and potential air leaks. They will likely need to access your basement and attic (if applicable). They may offer to install energy-saving items at no cost, such as advanced power strips, low-flow showerheads, and programmable thermostats. You'll receive a personalized energy report outlining recommended upgrades, such as insulation improvements or heating system replacements, along with information about relevant incentives, like 75-100% off insulation work, no-cost air sealing, and access to 0% interest financing through the Mass Save HEAT Loan.
QuestionWhat are heat pumps?
A heat pump is a highly efficient heating and cooling system that moves heat rather than generating it. In the winter, it extracts heat from the outside air (even when it’s cold) and transfers it indoors to warm your home. In the summer, it works like an air conditioner by removing heat from inside your home and releasing it outside. Heat pumps can be ducted (central system) or ductless (mini-splits), and they are powered by electricity rather than fossil fuels, making them a cleaner alternative to oil or gas heating systems.
State and federal energy-efficiency rebate programs strongly promote the adoption of heat pumps because of their ability to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since heat pumps are powered by electricity and can operate at 2-4 times the efficiency of traditional systems, they align with clean energy goals. Encouraging residents to install heat pumps supports broader climate action plans, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and helps households transition to more sustainable and cost-effective home energy solutions.
QuestionWhy were two different letters sent to homeowners and landlords this past spring (2025)?
Getting an HEA makes sense for a wide range of property owners in Watertown, but for slightly different reasons. For homeowners, taking advantage of Mass Save programs can mean lower energy bills, more efficient HVAC equipment, and a more comfortable home. For owners of tenant-occupied units, the tenant frequently pays their own electricity bill, so there is what’s called a “split incentive,” where the owner does not directly benefit from the resulting cost savings. However, enhancing the energy efficiency of a rental property can reduce operating costs for the owner and increase tenant satisfaction and retention.
QuestionI’m a homeowner- what’s in it for me?
Homeowners can benefit from the Mass Save program through a wide range of no-cost services, generous rebates, incentives, and low-interest financing that make it easier and more affordable to improve their home’s energy efficiency. By scheduling a no-cost Home Energy Assessment, homeowners can receive personalized recommendations from an expert and get energy-saving products like smart power strips and low-flow showerheads installed on the spot at no cost. They may also qualify for 100% off insulation; rebates of up to $25,000 for heat pumps, water heaters, and weatherization upgrades; and access to the 0% interest HEAT Loan to finance additional energy improvements.
QuestionI’m a renter – would a Home Energy Assessment benefit me?
Yes, renters can benefit from the Mass Save program in several ways. They can receive a no-cost Home Energy Assessment (HEA), during which a Home Energy Specialist may install no-cost items like advanced power strips and efficient showerheads—helping reduce energy costs right away. Renters can also initiate a discussion with their landlords to encourage them to pursue additional upgrades, such as insulation or heat pump installations, which may also be covered up to 100% through Mass Save incentives and rebates.
QuestionI’m a landlord – what’s in it for me?
Landlords can benefit from the Mass Save program by accessing generous rebates, incentives, and no-cost upgrades that improve the energy efficiency, comfort, and value of their rental properties. Through a no-cost HEA, landlords can identify opportunities for improvements like insulation, air sealing, and high-efficiency heating/cooling systems (including heat pumps), with rebates covering up to 100% of insulation and potentially thousands of dollars for HVAC work. In addition, landlords may qualify for the 0% interest HEAT Loan to finance upgrades and enhanced incentives for properties in Environmental Justice or moderate-income communities. These improvements can reduce operating costs, increase tenant satisfaction, and make properties more attractive without raising rents in most incentive programs.
QuestionIf I have questions about this program, who do I contact?
For more information or to schedule a no-cost Home Energy Assessment, you can contact Watertown’s Energy Advocate, Fangxue Zheng, via email or by calling 857-393-6643.