Energy Savings, Rebates, and Incentives

The Town of Needham is committed to helping residents and businesses reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills. By increasing the energy efficiency of your home or business, you can reduce your energy use and increase your cost savings.  

Interested in seeing estimates of economic and environmental impacts of green home and transportation upgrades? Check out RMI's Green Upgrade Calculator.

Mass Save

Green Needham has partnered with the home performance contractor HomeWorks Energy (781-305-3319), a Mass Save partner, to provide no-cost home energy assessments to residents. Both homeowners and renters can schedule an assessment. The no-cost assessment is available to all Needham residents in 1-4 family homes, whether they have gas, electric, or oil heat. You can also choose from any of Mass Save's approved vendors. Already had an assessment? Homeowners are eligible for another assessment every three years.

During the home energy assessment, your home energy advisor will provide information such as:  

• A full assessment of your home’s energy efficiency, followed by next-step recommendations for energy-savings. 
• Detailed information about available rebates and incentives, including for energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment.

If your home energy advisor determines that your home needs air sealing, it can be done at no charge to you. The home energy advisor will provide a complete scope of work, schedule the work with you and, in most cases, will arrange for inspection when the work is completed. If your home energy advisor determines that your home needs insulation, the Mass Save program will pay 75% of the total cost (100% for 2-4 family homes). The home energy advisor will provide a complete scope of the proposed work, schedule the work with you and, in most cases, arrange for inspection when the work is completed.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Savings 

Rewiring America has created a guide to help you navigate your options and a calculator that estimates how much money you are eligible for based on your basic household information. Please note that  2025 is now the last year to claim a variety of federal clean energy, home energy efficiency, and electric vehicle tax credits, including:

• Section 25E (Previously Owned Clean Vehicles): Ends September 30, 2025
• Section 30D (Clean Vehicle Credit): Ends September 30, 2025
• Section 25C (Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit) - includes energy efficiency, heat pumps, other measures: Ends December 31, 2025
• Section 25D (Residential Clean Energy Credit) - includes solar, geothermal, other measures: Ends December 31, 2025

Fuel Assistance Programs

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps reduce the cost of energy bills for those who need it. Any household whose total annual household income is less than 60% of the estimated State Median Income is eligible for assistance through the program. Households that live in subsidized housing are also eligible. LIHEAP will provide assistance on winter heating bills, including oil and propane payments, as well as discounts on monthly utility bills. Applicants must provide proof of income and must reapply each year. Apply online at www.toapply.org/CTI or call (978) 459-6161. 

Reduced Electricity and Gas Rates

If you are eligible for LIHEAP (see above), you also qualify for reduced electricity and natural gas rates through Eversource. Eversource's reduced electricity rates provide a 42% discount on your total electricity bill. To change your rate, fill out the Discount Rate Application or call Eversource Customer Service at 800-592-2000 and say you want to change your electricity rate to R2 or R4.

Community Solar - Including Income-Eligible!

Renters, homeowners, and even multi-unit dwellers can subscribe to Community Solar to save on energy. Through a Community Solar project, you can purchase energy from a shared solar project at a discount and receive utility credits to cover a portion of your electricity bill. You can sign up for free and don’t need to own property or install equipment to save. On average, most subscribers receive a discount between 5-15% off of traditional electricity costs over the course of a year. Visit EnergySage to find a local Community Solar project.

Sunwealth offers income-eligible Community Solar projects that save subscribers 25% off their total electric bill. These projects are only available to residents who are enrolled in the discounted electricity rate (see above). Learn more and sign up.