Smart Energy Advice / Community First Partnership energy efficiency incentives

How it works

The City of Worcester’s Smart Energy Advice program is a city-facilitated access point for energy-efficiency incentives and related help. Residents can book a no-cost 30-minute appointment with the Energy Advocate by email, phone, or in person to get guidance on energy questions and learn how to access energy-saving programs. The page says you can use this service whether you own or rent.

What the money covers

For 1–4-unit homes, the page says Mass Save incentives and rebates may include:

• Insulation and air sealing: 100% off insulation and air sealing upgrades that improve year-round comfort and reduce heating and cooling costs by an average of 15%.
• Heating and cooling: no-cost service for income-eligible and moderate-income residents who do not heat with gas, and up to $8,500 in rebates for heat pumps per dwelling that heat and cool the 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.

The page also points residents to the Mass Save Energy Savers Finder, which can help identify local, state, and federal rebates, incentives, and tax credits.

Amounts and matching

The page describes the listed benefits as income-based Mass Save incentives and rebates rather than a Worcester-funded grant. It does not give a match percentage.

How to apply

To get started with an energy assessment, residents can:

• Visit the Mass Save | Community First | Worcester website.
• Call the City’s Energy Advocate at 508-456-5752.
• Email energyadvice@worcesterma.gov.
• Book an appointment with the Energy Advocate.

The page also notes that if you decide to implement the recommendations from the assessment, you can apply for Mass Save incentives and rebates and the 0% HEAT Loan.

Timing and deadlines

The page does not list an application deadline or end date. It does note that, due to unprecedented demand in the Mass Save income-eligible program, policy changes were implemented in August 2025 and may delay service timelines.