On Friday, the Department of Public Utilities must issue an order on the proposed Mass Save program for 2025 through 2027.

What is the Mass Save program?

Mass Save is a state program that gives consumers discounts and rebates for projects to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. 

Much of the money to cover the program comes from the "delivery" fee on your heating bill. An estimated $80 per bill of the average heating bill goes towards Mass Save.

Historically, the program hasn't been used by renters. 

"Rental housing has what's called a split incentive problem, where, because the renter benefits from energy efficiency upgrades, the landlord can't borrow or get financing to make those upgrades," explained Douglas Quattrochi, the head of the Massachusetts Landlords Association.

"Even though renters have typically paid into the Mass Save program for the last decade and a half… Renters have gotten almost no benefits from it," he said.

New Mass Save proposal

There is a new proposal for Mass Save on the table for the next three years. It's estimated to cost $5 billion – an increase – and would focus on heat pumps (for efficiency), helping renters/landlords, and designating 21 equity communities for extra resources.

That plan is set to be approved – or not – by the Department of Public Utilities on Friday.

There is now concern that the DPU might not approve to proposal over outrage from skyrocketing heating bills during this cold winter.

"The new three-year plan is really going to take [Mass Save] in a much bolder direction," Quattrochi said.

Despite concerns over high bills, his position is that now is not the time to cut costs when it comes to Mass Save. "It seems that we already have a pretty effective safety net, and we absolutely need more people paying into the Mass Save program at higher rates in order to do this decarbonization work," he said.