Lower Your Energy Bills Over Time
Make changes that control costs over the long run.
Save on costs with these strategies
Cancel your third-party electric supply contract and learn about a better option.
Have heat pumps? Enroll in the reduced winter electric rate.
Ditch delivered fuels.
Weatherize your home and consider solar for long-lasting savings.
Reduce Your Electricity Rates
Beware of overly expensive third-party electricity suppliers
“Third Party” or “Competitive” electricity supply companies sell electricity directly to residential customers. The electricity is still delivered by your utility company, but the electricity supply rate changes on your bill. Learn more about competitive suppliers in our Selecting the Best Supply Option for You article.
Unfortunately, many third-party supply companies use deceptive practices to get customers to enroll in plans that are often more expensive than the utility’s basic supply rate. Many also target low-income customers, resulting in these customers paying much more than they would for their utility’s basic supply rate, as reported by the MA Attorney General’s Office. Read our Avoiding Energy Scams article for a step-by-step guide on how to understand and cancel supply contract if you’re overpaying.
Use Municipal Aggregation if it’s offered where you live
Over 200 of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns now have a municipal aggregation plan for electric supply. “Municipal aggregation” means your town has negotiated electric rates lower than what the utility offers, and residents of the town can choose these rates for their electric supply.
Have heat pumps? There’s a rate for you!
The major utilities and some Municipal Light Plants (MLPs) in the state offer lower rates during winter months if you heat your home with heat pumps. Select your electric utility below to see rates.
DITCH DELIVERED FUELS
An estimated 27% of MA households heat with oil or propane, also known as delivered fuels. They are physically transported by truck to a home or building rather than being supplied through a continuous utility service like natural gas or electricity. These fuels fluctuate in price based on external factors like global markets, supply chain disruptions, and seasonal demand. Households that heat with oil or propane generally have more expensive heating bills than those using heat pumps or natural gas. The graph below shows price trends for heating fuels over the last 10 years. Electricity is the most stable.
Source: Massachusetts Home Heating Costs, Figure 1
The typical lifespan of an oil or propane heating system is 20 years. If your system is nearing the end of its life, begin researching air-source or ground-source heat pumps as your next system. You’ll save money on winter heating costs, especially with new reduced electric rates for heat pump owners announced for the 2025/2026 heating season. Heat pumps provide both efficient cooling and heating, making summers more comfortable and saving the expense of installing a separate air conditioning system.
SET YOUR HOME UP FOR LONG-LASTING SAVINGS
Get a no-cost home energy assessment to identify weatherization opportunities
A home that is sealed and insulated uses less energy to heat and cool the space. Weatherization is the most economical improvement you can make to your home. To get weatherization at a deep discount or possibly free, schedule a no-cost home energy assessment with the organization listed below that serves your utility. Home energy assessments can be requested by homeowners, renters, and rental property owners. The home energy assessment will determine what weatherization is needed and uncover other ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Home energy assessment program for customers of public utilities
Mass Save®
Mass Save serves electric and gas customers of Berkshire Gas, Blackstone Gas Company, Cape Light Compact, Columbia Gas, Eversource, Liberty Utilities, National Grid, and Unitil.
Home energy assessment programs for customers of municipal utilities
NextZero
Some municipal light plants (MLPs) partner with NextZero to provide Home Energy Assessments. If your electric service is provided by an MLP, you may be eligible for a home energy assessment through NextZero.
Energy New England (ENE)
Some municipal light plants (MLPs) partner with Energy New England to provide Home Energy Assessments. If your electric service is provided by an MLP, you may be eligible for a home energy assessment through Energy New England.
Municipal Light Plants
If your MLP is not served by NextZero or Energy New England, click below to find what services your MLP offers.
Consider Solar Electricity
Enroll in Community Solar
Community solar enables you to get discounted, renewable electricity without installing your own solar panels. You can sign up through a subscription. Some community solar projects have even greater discounts for low income-qualified customers.
Install Solar Panels
By generating your own electricity, you can drastically reduce or eliminate your electric bill. In months when your solar panels produce more electricity than you use, you can even receive a credit from your utility!
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT
LOWERING YOUR ENERGY BILLS
