Decarbonization Pathways Pilot

For the Decarbonization Pathways Pilot, MassCEC is looking to provide homeowners with a plan to achieve an all-electric building (i.e., a building with no on-site combustion equipment for fossil fuel use or capacity, including fossil fuel use in space heating, water heating, cooking, or drying appliances) that has also maximized opportunities for energy efficiency and weatherization.

Cohort 1 launched in Summer 2022, and Cohort 2 is launching in Summer 2023. We have made some updates to the guidelines for Cohort 2 based on an evaluation of Cohort 1. For Cohort 1, MassCEC sought participants that were planning to install a heat pump during the pilot. For Cohort 2, MassCEC is seeking participants that are planning to install a heat pump and/or upgrade their home’s envelope when replacing their siding by adding a weather barrier and exterior insulation and/or new windows. For Cohort 2, participants will also be required to complete a “Home Modernization Package”, which involves installing measures that ensure the home is well prepared for full decarbonization. Additionally, while the incentive amounts have remained the same, the incentive payment structure and eligible decarbonization measures have been updated. For more information, please see the pilot’s Program Manual.

If you applied to Cohort 1, and were not selected, you can still apply to Cohort 2.

We currently are not planning on launching additional cohorts under the pilot.

Applicants who have already completed Mass Save weatherization are welcome and encouraged to apply. For Cohort 2 of the pilot, we are hoping to select participants that are planning to install a heat pump and/or upgrade their home’s envelope when replacing their siding by adding a weather barrier and exterior insulation and/or new window during the pilot. As a result, participants that have already installed heat pumps are less likely to be selected unless they are planning to upgrade their home’s envelope during the pilot.

You are still eligible to apply to the pilot if you are already getting quotes. MassCEC can only offer incentives for decarbonization measures installed after a participant has officially been notified that they are selected for the pilot, so it is up to you if you would like to wait to implement the decarbonization measure until you have been notified whether you have been selected to participate.

Individual condos units in a larger building or complex are not eligible to participate. For this pilot, we want to be able to make comprehensive recommendations for the entire building envelope (i.e., roof/attic, walls/windows/doors, and basement). If all owners of a condoized small multi-family (i.e., four or fewer units) want to jointly apply for the pilot, we would consider that application.

MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust funding comes from electric ratepayers, which means that eligibility for this pilot is based on a household's electric utility. Electric customers from National Grid, Eversource, Unitil, Ashburnham Municipal Light Plant, Holden Light Department, Holyoke Gas & Electric Department, Ipswich Electric Department, Russell Light Department, and Templeton Municipal Light Plant pay into MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust. Unfortunately, if you are not a customer of one of those utilities you are not eligible to participate in this pilot. For more information, visit this webpage. 

Yes, this funding can be used towards either air source or ground source heat pumps. This funding can also be used in addition to Mass Save’s heat pump rebates and any other state or federal rebates.

As part of the pilot, participants will be able to discuss different options with the Home Decarbonization Advisor. It will then be up to the participants to decide how to proceed. For Cohort 2, MassCEC is seeking participants that are planning to install a heat pump and/or upgrade their home’s envelope when replacing their siding by adding a weather barrier and exterior insulation and/or new windows. For Cohort 2, participants will also be required to complete a “Home Modernization Package”, which involves installing measures that ensure the home is well prepared for full decarbonization. If participants decide not to move forward with these measures, they can still participate in the pilot and receive significant incentives but will not be eligible for the full incentive.