Is your home or small business too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer? Do you want to save money on your energy bills? Want to make your home more sustainable and energy efficient? Worcester's Smart Energy Advice program can help.
Energy Advocate
New Service: Book a no-cost 30-minute appointment with our Energy Advocate - Book Appointment
You can talk to our Energy Advocate (over email, phone or in person) about your energy questions and get advice about how to access energy saving programs. Whether you own or rent – you can get your questions answered about the process and learn how to:
- Sign up for a no-cost energy assessment that will provide upgrade recommendations.
- If you decide to implement the recommendations - apply for Mass Save incentives and rebates, and the 0% HEAT Loan.
- Understand your energy bill including the Green Worcester ElectriCITY Aggregation Program, and if you're income-eligible, how to get the utility discount rate.
- Get started with solar (both rooftop and community options).
- Access related resources as needed: Worcester Community Action Council, Worcester Community Housing Resources, Worcester Lead Abatement Program and more.
To get started with an energy assessment, visit this website (Mass Save | Community First | Worcester) or call the City’s Energy Advocate at 508-372-8389.
For more information about Smart Energy Advice, email us at energyadvice@worcesterma.gov.
Energy Efficiency Incentives & Rebates
Mass Save Offerings
Massachusetts is one of the most energy-efficient states in the nation, due in large part to the Mass Save programs, which are supported by a utility energy efficiency charge that we all pay on our gas and electric bills. Through Smart Energy Advice, we help residents and small business owners access programs funded by these fees.
Mass Save incentives and rebates are income based. Check out the Mass Save website, Mass Save® Income-Based Assistance Programs, to figure out which of the income categories apply to your household. For 1–4-unit homes, the incentives and rebates may include:
- Insulation: 100% off insulation and air sealing upgrades that improve year-round comfort and reduce your heating and cooling costs by an average of 15%.
- Heating/Cooling: No cost (for income-eligible and moderate-income residents who do not heat with gas) and up to $10,000 in rebates for heat pumps per dwelling that heat and cool your home.
- 0% financing: Up to $25,000 for qualifying projects (depending on the lender and project type)
- No-cost energy-saving products: programmable thermostats and water-saving devices.
For more Mass Save programs – including options for 5+ unit homes, new construction and renovations, commercial projects, and upgrades like windows, battery storage, electric vehicles, appliances, water heating, and more – visit masssave.com.
Residents (owners or renters) who qualify as low-income (below 60% of the median income in the state) may be eligible for additional energy efficiency programs and utility bill assistance through the Worcester Community Action Council website or by calling 508-754-1176 (not via the main Mass Save website).
Note: due to unprecedented levels of demand in the Mass Save income eligible program, policy changes were implemented in August 2025 to ensure that as many customers can be served as possible with the resources currently available. These changes may impact the types of energy efficiency upgrades available to income qualifying customers and will likely delay the timeline for service.
The Massachusetts Energy Savers Finder is a free tool that helps homeowners and renters discover local, state, and federal rebates, incentives, and tax credits. Fill out the form on the MassHousing website to see which programs can help you save.
Considering a heating system upgrade? Schedule a free virtual consultation with a Mass Save Specialist. Their experts can help you understand the benefits of new systems like heat pumps, answer technical questions, guide you on using your system efficiently, and provide personalized advice for your home. They can also suggest steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency – such as air sealing and insulation – before installing a new system.
The Mass Save Heating Comparison Calculator can help you estimate the potential impacts of installing a high-efficiency heating system on your heating costs and carbon emission reductions from installing a high-efficiency heating system.
UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE & RESOURCES
Schedule an Energy Bill Check-Up with our Energy Advocate by phone at 508-372-8389, by emailing energyadvice@worcesterma.gov or by booking an appointment.
If you are struggling with paying your bills, there are a variety of programs available to help you:
- Discount Rate: The National Grid Discount Rate can help income-qualifying residents save 32%-71% off their electricity bill every month.
- Budget Plan: The National Grid Budget Plan spreads your annual electricity costs into 12 equal monthly payments, helping you avoid seasonal spikes and better manage your household budget – while still paying only for the energy you use.
- Heat Pump Electric Rate: Starting November 1, 2025, a new reduced electric delivery rate is available for qualified residential customers who use heat pumps for home heating. This seasonal rate applies to electricity usage from November 1 through April 30, helping reduce energy costs during colder months.
- For a full list of assistance programs: Help Paying Your Bill | National Grid
- Discount Rate: The Eversource Discount Rate can help income qualifying residents save up to 25% off their gas bill every month.
- Payment Plan: Eversource Payment Plan are available for residents struggling to pay their monthly energy bills and have a past due balance. Plans are available for a duration of up to 4 months.
- For a full list of assistance programs: Payment Plans & Assistance | Eversource
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), best known as fuel assistance, helps homeowners and renters pay home heating bills and past due balances on utility bills. Assistance is available for income-eligible households to help pay home heating bills incurred between November 1 – April 30 of each year.
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is provided by the Salvation Army, and is available to any Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month's energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance. Income must fall between 60 and 80 percent of the state's median income levels.
Electricity Supply Options
In Massachusetts, you can choose your electricity supplier – though National Grid is the default in Worcester. The City offers the Green Worcester ElectriCITY Municipal Aggregation Program, which lets residents and businesses purchase electricity through a City-managed group contract that provides price stability, consumer protection, and cleaner energy. The program secures fixed-rate electricity supply prices, includes more renewable energy than required by state law, and allows participants to opt out at any time without penalty.
If you want to research other options for electricity supply, visit these pages:
- What do I need to know about my electric supply options in Massachusetts?
- Energy Switch Massachusetts
Solar - Know Where To Start
Are you interested in powering your house with a cleaner source of electricity but don't know where to start? As part of Worcester's Smart Energy Advice program, you can get multiple solar quotes for free from pre-vetted, reputable installers servicing Worcester through our partner, EnergySage. This can help simplify the process for both homeowners and renters. By going through the EnergySage portal:
- You could save up to 20% on total system cost compared to market rate (if purchasing the panels).
- You'll get assigned a dedicated EnergySage Energy Advisor to answer your questions with no high-pressure sales tactics.
- You'll be able to compare all your quotes in a side-by-side, apples-to-apples comparison format.
- You don't need to enter a phone number when registering for quotes.
While renters do not control the property where they live, they can participate in the solar energy market in addition to saving 5-15% on their electric bills annually (up to 25% for income eligible participants) by signing up for a local community solar farm (via virtual solar energy credits).
Learn more about solar:
- The Cost of Solar Panels in Worcester
- Rooftop Solar Calculator
- Complete Rooftop Solar Panel Buying Guide
- Complete Community Solar Guide
Additional Resources
- The EnergySage Heat Pump Marketplace can be used to compare customized quotes and browse pre-screened heat pump installers in your area.
- The Energy Saver Home Loan Program (ESHLP) helps eligible Massachusetts homeowners lower energy use and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, offering financing, incentive coordination, and comprehensive support throughout the project.
- Heat Pumps for Landlords Webinar, City of Worcester & Green Energy Consumers Alliance, July 2025 - Webinar Slides | Webinar Video
Contact Information
Address
Sustainability and Resilience
51 Sever Street Worcester, MA 01609
Mailing Address: 455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Contact
Phone: 508-799-8324
Email Us
Hours
By Appointment
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.