This blog post was originally published on Aug 23, 2012 and has been updated for new Massachusetts rebate and incentive programs.
Going green and investing in renewable energy sources is a movement that has become increasingly popular over recent years. In order to encourage this pursuit – and help homeowners with the up-front costs – many federal and state incentive plans have been developed. For Massachusetts residents interested in home energy efficient rebates or tax breaks, a multitude of great opportunities exist.
For instance, want to make your primary residence more energy efficient, but don’t know where to start? Mass Save offers a no-cost energy assessment that includes a customized report with efficiency recommendations. In addition, the assessment also includes immediate savings through the installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, and water-saving devices where applicable.
Now that you have a better idea of where to start the process of making your home more energy efficient, Mass Save also offers these great rebates and incentives to help increase your return on investment, including:
- 75% up to $2,000 toward the installation of approved insulation improvements
- No-cost targeted air leak sealing in your home’s doors, windows, and exterior walls
- Rebates on qualifying energy-efficient devices, like new water heating equipment
If you’re not sure where to start, a no-cost Mass Save home energy audit is a good place to start. Don’t hesitate to schedule your audit today so you can find out the best ways to save money on your energy bills.
But the advantages don’t stop with just Mass Save’s opportunities. Additionally, the State of Massachusetts offers:
- Rebates for homeowners that install solar photovoltaics
- A 20-year property tax exemption for homeowners whose residence uses wind or solar power as the primary or auxiliary source for heating or energy
- A 15% credit, (up to $1,000), against your state income tax to supplement the cost of a new renewable energy system
In addition to state rebates, plenty of federal or national benefits programs are available for Mass residents. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program allows for federal tax credits of up to 30% on the cost of most ENERGY STAR products.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Energy provides a great website resource on energy-efficient financing programs, including mortgages, home improvement loans, and refinancing.
So the next time you consider making improvements to your Massachusetts home, consider going green. Not only will the energy-efficient upgrades save you on costly utility bills, but the added rebates and incentive programs will help to lighten the up-front burden on your wallet.
For more great information and an in-depth list of opportunities available in Massachusetts, check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency website.
