Clean Heat Blog
In-depth answers to your most common questions about Heat Pumps.
Which is Better: Heat Pump or Oil-Based Heating? Heat pumps and oil furnaces are two of the most common heating systems in Massachusetts, and each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Both can do a great job of keeping your home warm through the winter. At Modern Energy, we want to share some helpful facts to make it easier for you to decide which system is the better fit for your home. What is a Heat Pump? If you’re not familiar with heat pumps, you're not alone. They’re a newer technology in the HVAC world. A heat pump is an all-in-one system that provides both heating and cooling using electricity. It has two main components: an indoor air handler and an outdoor condenser, which are connected by a refrigerant line. The refrigerant moves heat from one place to another, depending on the season. In the winter, it brings heat into your home; in the summer, it removes heat to keep things cool. How Long Does a Heating System Last? Both heat pumps and oil furnaces last about the same amount of time, typically around 15 years. With regular maintenance and proper care, some systems can last even longer. But after 15 years, it’s common for repairs to become costly enough that replacing the system makes more sense financially. Are Heat Pumps Cheaper to Run Than Oil Heating? In many cases, yes. Heat pumps are generally cheaper to operate than oil-based heating. Oil is one of the more expensive fuel options, even though it’s reliable due to the amount stored on-site. Heat pumps do cost more to install upfront, which can make the total cost feel similar in the short term. But because they run on electricity, often more stable in price than oil—the long-term savings can really add up. Heat pumps are also more efficient than electric baseboard or radiator systems and cost about the same to operate as natural gas heating. Are Heat Pumps More Environmentally Friendly Than a Furnace? Yes, they are. Heat pumps produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than oil furnaces and carry fewer risks of environmental damage. Since they don’t burn fuel, there’s less chance of fire or carbon monoxide issues, making them a cleaner, safer choice for your home and the planet. So, Which is Better? Oil furnaces are still widely used and do their job well, but they rely on older technology and come with more safety and environmental risks. Heat pumps offer a modern alternative that’s safer, more efficient, and often more cost-effective to run. Plus, there are currently significant rebates and incentives available through Mass Save and federal programs that can reduce the cost of installation. To learn more about whether a heat pump is right for your home, call Modern Energy at 508-449-0449 or check out more resources on our website. With years of experience serving Massachusetts homeowners, we’re here to help you make the best choice for your comfort and budget.
Mass Save 2025-2027 Updates Mass Save has been a long-lasting and successful program for the state of Massachusetts, so far. However, it is being updated in 2025 and hopefully we can answer some common questions about these changes. What Does Mass Save Do? Founded in 2008, Mass Save is a combined effort of both state and private sponsors. The program adds a small amount to utility bills across the state that is used to create funding for making Massachusetts energy cleaner. The program does this mainly by offering rebates on the installation of greener building practices and appliances such as Heat Pumps. While companies do use Mass Save, a large portion is used by individual residents in the state. As the program has gone on, it has shifted its focus to try to make the process easier for people with lower incomes, while never wavering from its initial goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making cleaner energy available to residents of Massachusetts. Why is Mass Save Changing? Mass Save is designed to make Massachusetts more sustainable and typically renews its budget every three years. This is what allows them to constantly change to best achieve their goals in the most efficient way. This generally means putting higher rebates on newer and more expensive technology to allow more residents to have access, this then encourages growth in the field and allows that technology to become more mainstream, as we are seeing happen with the Heat Pump. This could also mean pulling some of that money out of helping people adopt new technology and instead helping those with lower incomes also adopt this more sustainable technology. What is Changing for Mass Save in 2025? This section focuses on the monetary Mass Save changes for residents of Massachusetts, not corporations or the internal workings of Mass Save. ● MassSave® $10,000 Whole-Home Rebates: If your household is above the median income for your city, and you replace your current heating system with a heat pump system, then you can receive $3,000 per 12,000 BTUs of capacity installed, up to $10,000. This is a slight change from the previous rebate which was a flat $10,000 for the whole home. ● MassSave® Partial Home Rebate: in 2025, is $1,250 per ton (12,000 BTUs) of capacity up to $10,000. This rebate is designed to work with your existing heating system instead of replacing it. If you have a single room that needs help heating or cooling, this could be an excellent investment. The BTU capacity is a number calculated by the manufacturer of the unit being installed, so you’ll know that number before you buy the system. For 2025, it stays where it has been for the last few years, but in 2026 it drops to $1,125 per ton, and $1,000 per ton in 2027. ● Weatherization bonus: when getting a Heat Pump installed, if you got your house weatherized within six months before or after installation, Mass Save will send you an additional $500. Weatherization is things like checking the seals on windows and is a good first step if you wish to update your heating system. No point in getting a better heater if the warm air won't stay inside. ● Bonus rebates for various electronic items: This section is about smaller appliances from Washers and Dryers to battery powered chainsaws. If you get a new appliance, check the list to see if you can get some money back. Massachusetts 2025-2027 Energy Efficiency and Decarbonization Plan Here is the link to the plan and this section is located on pages 137-138. What is Not Changing for Mass Save in 2025? ● MassSave® $16,000 Enhanced Heating and Cooling Incentive: If your household is within the median range of income for your city, then you will get a $16,000 rebate after installation. Installation costs vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the size and layout of the home. In many cases, this rebate covers much of the cost. The rebate is unchanged for 2025-2027. ● The United States Federal Government is offering a $2,000 tax credit. The credit is for 30% of the cost, up to $2,000. Most installations will qualify for the entire $2,000 Federal Tax Credit. Since this is not through Mass Save but is in the same realm as a rebate for Heat Pumps, we felt it should be included here. The tax credit is provided through the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022. ● Your Local Community Action Agency 100% off Income Eligible Program: If your household is below the median income for your city, then your local Community Action Agency will likely cover the cost of your Heat Pump Installation. Use this link to find your local community action agency: Home - MASSCAP . ● Weatherization and Assessment: Mass Save helps cover the cost of both the assessment of your home and the fixes needed for weatherization. This includes repairs to air seals and other commonly worn-down parts of the home that help keep the environment out of your home. When Will the Mass Save Changes Take Effect? With the changes being approved, these changes took effect on January 1st, 2025. These changes were discussed over the last few months and officially filed on October 31 st , 2024. What are Mass Save’s Goals for 2025-2027 Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: This is achieved by increasing electrification, weatherization, and supporting greenhouse gas reductions by corporations. Mass Save is also planning to try to secure outside funding. Accelerate program access for vulnerable and underserved customers: By lowering the qualifications necessary to receive rebates, increasing no-cost weatherization for low and moderate income residents, and increasing participation in the program by renters and small businesses. Deliver an improved customer experience: By increasing the languages available for customer service, speeding up rebate processing time, and investing in digital improvements. Strengthen and diversify the workforce: Collaborate with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to find a diverse range of applicants, increase supplier diversity, and increase training and availability of Heat Pump installers for both residential homes and businesses. Is Mass Save a Scam? No, Mass Save is not a scam. This is a program run through the state of Massachusetts and its energy utility firms such as Eversource and National Grid, with the goal of making long term energy usage more sustainable. They can get backlogged at certain times of the year, which can delay receiving the rebate, but it will come. Additionally, Mass Save had many accomplishments that they point out in this update: ● Supporting the installation of heat pumps in over 75,000 homes and businesses since 2019. ● Weatherizing approximately 350,000 homes. ● Reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as if they took 800,000 cars off the road for a year. ● Investing $1.1 billion in improvements that lower energy bills and improve health, safety, and comfort. Will the Mass Save Changes Impact Getting My Rebate? No, if you registered your project prior to January 1 st 2025, you will still receive the same rebate you were expecting. Additionally, since the Heat Pump rebate changes were minimal, you likely still qualify for an identical rebate under the new terms. If you are expecting to get a rebate from Mass Save in the first few weeks of January, there may be a slight delay. Moving directly from the holiday season into several administrative changes could create a larger backlog than normal. This should only last a few weeks at most. For questions and concerns please call Mass Save at 888-855-0340. What Happens to Mass Save if the Inflation Reduction Act is Repealed? This would not affect Mass Save. Mass Save does receive funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. Where Do I start if I want a Heat Pump? There are two options for you going forward. The first is that you do it all yourself, calling contractors and electricians, researching models, tracking all the rebates, all while your life continues. The second option is that you call Modern Energy, and we will manage the project and walk you through the process. Modern Energy reviews average 5/5 stars and we are a highly respected company within the HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) world. All our installers and electricians work in-house, and we install the best equipment from Mitsubishi, Carrier, Fujitsu, and Bryant. Plus, we have a dedicated staff to help you figure out which rebates you qualify for and how to apply for the 0% Interest Heat Loan. Let us at Modern Energy use our expertise to make your life cheaper and easier.
What is a Heat Pump? A Heat Pump is an all-in-one electric based heating and cooling system. Heat Pump systems are made up of two parts: an indoor handler and an outdoor condenser. These two units are connected through an insulated copper refrigerant line. A refrigerant is a chemical that shifts between a liquid and a gas to effectively move heat from one location to the other. This means that a Heat Pump works as a heater in the winter and as air conditioning in the summer. Are Heat Pumps Loud? No, Heat Pumps are not loud. They do make noise while operating on a similar level to a refrigerator. If there is a malfunction they can become loud, but they are not loud while working as intended. Do Heat Pumps Work Below Zero Degrees? Yes, heat pumps do function below zero degrees. Older generations or heat pumps were made for warmer climates and struggled when outdoor temperatures dropped below freezing, but new models are honed to function well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Mitsubishi was the first brand to crack the problem and ever since many other brands have followed. All Heat Pumps do have a minimum temperature, but that is now typically between around -13 and -15 degrees fahrenheit. However, if it drops below the minimum, the system will just work sub optimally, and will not break. How Long Does a Heat Pump Last? Heat Pump systems last around the same amount of time as an Oil Furnace or any other heating system, around 15 - 20 years. What's the Best Brand of Heat Pump? While all brands have their pros and cons, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu separate themselves from the rest. Mitsubishi has a long history and good reputation for amazing customer service. They were also the first brand to crack the cold weather Heat Pump and most of their current models function down to -13 degrees. Fujitsu models tend to be a bit cheaper than Mitsubishi and their cold-weather units operate efficiently down to -15 degrees. This being said, brands like Carrier and others still make good products that may be the best fit for you and your home. Do Heat Pumps Work with Ducts? Yes! If you already have existing ductwork in your home, it can significantly cut the installation cost of a Heat Pump. A Heat Pump Air Handler will be attached to the ductwork and will operate like any other heating system. Do Heat Pumps Work without Ducts? Yes! If you do not have a duct system, you can get a type of Heat Pump called a Mini-Split that is more efficient than a ducted system but it does often have a higher installation cost. Are Heat Pumps More Efficient Than Oil, Natural Gas, or Electric Resistance heat? Heat Pumps are more efficient than oil-based heating. Efficiency in this case refers to operating cost, not environmental efficiency or anything else. Heat Pumps are also considerably more efficient than Electric Resistance heating. Heat Pumps are roughly equal to Natural Gas heating. Which one is specifically cheaper will depend on a variety of factors such as home layout, ductwork, and geographic location. Are Heat Pumps More Environmentally Friendly than a Furnace? Yes! Heat Pumps produce less greenhouse gas emissions than most other forms of heating. Heat Pumps are also less likely to cause a disaster, such as fire, or gas leak that can harm the surrounding ecosystem. How expensive is a Heat Pump? The average single- zone system costs several thousand dollars, but which model and type you buy can drastically change the amount. An air source or mini-split Heat Pump will be the cheapest. All Heat Pumps have high installation costs, as they are complex systems, but are cheaper to operate which will save you money in the long run. Additionally, local, state, and federal incentives could reduce the total cost to as little as $0. Are Heat Pumps Safe? Heat pumps are one of the safest forms of heating. Oil furnaces are a fire risk and Natural Gas can lead to gas leak or carbon monoxide poisoning, while Heat Pumps are no more dangerous than any other electric appliance. What Rebates are Available for Heat Pumps in Massachusetts? Your Local Community Action Council 100% off Income Eligible Program: If your household is under the median range of income for your city, then they will cover the cost of Installation. Use this link to find your local community action council, Home - MASSCAP . MassSave® $16,000 Enhanced Heating and Cooling Incentive: If your household is within the median range of income for your city, then you will get a $16,000 rebate after installation. Installation costs vary depending on a variety of factors such as the size and layout of the home. In many cases, this rebate covers much of the cost. MassSave® $10,000 Whole-Home Rebates: If your household is above the median income for your city, then you will get a $10,000 rebate after installation. MassSave® Partial Home Rebate: which is $1,250 per ton (12,000 BTUs) of capacity up to $10,000. This rebate is designed to work with your original heating system instead of replacing it. If you have a single room that needs help heating or cooling, this could be an excellent investment. The BTU capacity is a number calculated by the manufacturer of the unit being installed, so you’ll know that number before you buy the system. What’s the federal tax credit? As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States Government is offering a $2,000 tax credit. The credit is for 30% of the total installation cost, up to $2,000. Most installations will qualify for the entire $2,000 Federal Tax Credit. What Financing Options Are Available for Heat Pumps? MassSave® is offering an interest-free loan for Heat Pump installation because they want as many people to switch as they can. The loan max is currently $25,000 over a 5 year term. Are Heat Pumps Worth it? While we can’t give you a definitive answer, if you’ve read this far then it most likely is at least worth a call. You can reach us at Modern Energy at 508-449-0449. You can also check out more blogs on our website for more general information. Modern Energy has been in the HVAC industry for years and has become one of the leaders in Massachusetts. Let us use our expertise to answer your less frequently asked questions!
