Everything You Need To Know About Boston’s Mass Save Retrofit Incentive Program
Key Takeaways
Up to 70% of the cost of installation can be covered for any commercial property improving electrical or gas efficiency.
Even assets that have already undergone upgrades are eligible for incentives and rebates.
Our team can help maximize incentives and rebates for your asset.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is working to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2025. To that end, the state is offering up big money to property owners making energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings. Sponsored by the state’s local electrical and natural gas providers, Mass Save offers a variety of incentives and rebates to owners supported by a surcharge on customers' utility bills. With money on the table, it’s a matter of figuring out what best to use it for.
Much of Mass Save’s work is aimed at commercial buildings, giving landlords plenty of options for rebates and incentives. To start, Mass Save offers no-cost facility assessments that will help owners discover and prioritize energy and cost-saving measures. Mass Save’s qualified contractors will not only detail which upgrades should be made but also outline what costs can be covered through sponsorship. Up to 70% of the cost of installation could be paid by Mass Save.
Facility Assessment
Upgrades targeted by a Mass Save facility assessment include:
Electrical:
HVAC upgrades & controls
Refrigeration controls
Motor or drive upgrades
Compressed air systems
Gas
Pipe insulation
Steam trap maintenance
High-efficiency heating equipment
Air sealing
Weatherization
Learn more about Mass Save’s no-cost facility assessments here.
Major Project Pathways
Major renovations and new construction projects can leverage one of four pathways designed to help buildings reach energy goals.
Zero Net Energy (ZNE): Technical assistance from Mass Save and enhanced financial incentives for any project pursuing very low energy intensity.
Whole Building Energy Use Intensity: Incentives and technical assistance for the purpose of meeting energy use intensity (EUI) reduction targets.
Whole Building Streamlined: Similar to EUI reduction goals, but aimed at small to medium-sized non-energy intensive projects to receive technical and financial assistance.
Systems: Very small projects only involving a portion of a building.
Rebates
Outside of technical expertise and guidance, Mass Save offers rebates on a variety of facility enhancements. Rebates on new chillers, pumps, fans, compressed air equipment, boilers, furnaces, thermostats, and lighting improvements are available. Additional rebates are available for replacing equipment at the end of its life when its performance is typically at its worst. Details on rebates can be found here.
Control Tuning
If an asset has already undergone major efficiency improvements, owners can still receive incentives for maintenance and monitoring-based commissioning that prolongs the life of the equipment. Three basic options are available.
Low Cost: Owners pick from a pre-approved list of measures like anti-sweat controls and cycle evaporator fans to receive technical support and incentives.
Target system tuning: Aimed at improving entire systems like HVAC, refrigeration, or compressed air. Investigation funding and incentives are available.
Whole Building Process Tuning: Everything in the building is on the table, including investigation funding and deeper incentives.
Click here to learn more about equipment & system optimization incentives.
Demand Response
Energy demand peaks make up a major portion of electrical bills. Limiting usage during key times can have an outsized impact on energy costs. Demand Response systems are aimed at cutting energy use intensity during those moments. Because demand response also protects the integrity of the electrical grid, Mass Save’s ConnectedSolutions gives money back to buildings that reduce usage when prompted by providers.
With all the options, money, and expertise available, Mass Save can help practically every building improve in some way. For now, utility providers and regulators are offering hefty incentives to any owner that wants to improve the efficiency and operation of their property. Leveraging the incentives being offered will help owners avoid costly fines and penalties for non-compliance with Boston’s growing building energy standards.
For more details on Mass Save’s Demand Response incentives, click here.
