Energy Costs Are Rising — and Homes Are at the Center • CET

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Energy affordability is about access.

Energy Saver Home Loan Program

Energy Costs Are Rising — and Homes Are at the Center

Massachusetts homes account for a significant share of household energy costs — and for many residents, those costs are rising faster than incomes. Older housing stock, inefficient heating systems, and exposure to volatile fuel prices make it difficult for homeowners to control their monthly bills, even when they are careful with energy use.

Heating and cooling are the biggest drivers. Many homes were built long before insulation standards improved or high-efficiency equipment was available. Drafts, aging furnaces, and outdated electrical systems quietly drive up costs year after year.

Energy efficiency and electrification upgrades can change that equation. Better insulation reduces heat loss. Heat pumps lower reliance on fossil fuels. Electrical upgrades make it possible to adopt cleaner, more efficient technologies. The benefits are well documented.

What often stands in the way is access to affordable financing.

A Financing Gap That Slows Real Progress

Even when rebates, incentives, and tax credits are available, homeowners are typically expected to pay for energy improvements upfront and recover savings over time. For projects that can cost tens of thousands of dollars, that timing mismatch can delay action indefinitely.

This gap disproportionately affects moderate-income households — families who may not qualify for traditional assistance programs, but who also cannot easily absorb large capital expenses. As a result, energy improvements that would lower bills and increase comfort remain out of reach, reinforcing both affordability challenges and emissions from the residential sector.

The Energy Saver Home Loan Program was designed to address this specific problem.

Years fixed-rate loans

0.5%

Starting interest rates

50%

+ average modeled energy savings

How the Energy Saver Home Loan Program Changes the Equation

Administered by MassHousing through the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank, the Energy Saver Home Loan Program provides low-interest, long-term financing for home energy improvements — paired with technical guidance to ensure those upgrades deliver meaningful results.

Instead of requiring homeowners to fund projects upfront, the program allows costs to be spread over time, often aligning monthly loan payments with reduced energy expenses.

Key features include:

Fixed-rate loans up to 20 years

Interest rates as low as 0.5% for income-qualified households

No down payment required

Coverage for a wide range of energy efficiency and clean energy improvements

Community alignment: Demonstrates municipal commitment to sustainable heating and provides a model for other towns considering similar programs.

By lowering financial barriers, the program makes it possible for homeowners to move forward with projects that would otherwise remain on hold.

Customer Study

Meet David,
a MA homeowner

David recognized this opportunity in his town, made a quick call to connect with CET, and is now seeing the benefits

Built-In Support to Help Homeowners Make Informed Choices

Financing alone is not enough. Home energy upgrades are complex, and many homeowners are unsure which improvements will have the greatest impact.

The Energy Saver Home Loan Program includes no-cost technical assistance to help homeowners plan effectively

Participants work with:

A Concierge Service Provider (that’s us, CET), who explains eligibility, financing, and next steps

A qualified Energy Service Provider, who evaluates the home and develops an upgrade plan focused on reducing energy use by at least 20%

Organizations like CET provide this guidance as part of our nonprofit mission — helping homeowners understand options, incentives, and sequencing without pressure to purchase services.

This support helps ensure that improvements are coordinated rather than piecemeal, maximizing savings and long-term value.

What the Loan Can Be Used For (and Why It Matters)

The program supports a broad set of eligible upgrades, including:

Insulation and air sealing

Heat pumps for heating and cooling

Solar panels & battery storage

Efficient windows and doors

EV charging infrastructure

High-efficiency appliances

This flexibility allows homeowners to address multiple issues at once — improving comfort, reducing bills, and preparing their homes for future technologies.

When upgrades are bundled thoughtfully, the impact compounds. Insulation improves heat pump performance. Electrical upgrades unlock electrification. Clean energy systems reduce long-term exposure to fuel price volatility.

Energy Affordability in Practice

While the Energy Saver Home Loan supports Massachusetts’ climate goals, its impact is tangible at the household level.

Lower energy use translates into:

More predictable monthly expenses

Reduced vulnerability to rising fuel prices

Improved indoor comfort and air quality

Long-term savings that stay with the home

Early program results show homes achieving average modeled energy reductions of more than 50%, demonstrating what is possible when financing and technical support are aligned.

When upgrades are bundled thoughtfully, the impact compounds. Insulation improves heat pump performance. Electrical upgrades unlock electrification. Clean energy systems reduce long-term exposure to fuel price volatility.

Taking the First Step

Homeowners interested in the Energy Saver Home Loan Program can begin with a few clear actions:

Step 1

Connect with a Concierge Service Provider

Step 2

Confirm income and property eligibility

Step 3

Schedule a home energy assessment

Step 4

Develop an energy-saving upgrade plan

Step 5

Apply for financing with program support

Step 6

Move forward with qualified contractors

Each step is designed to reduce uncertainty and make the process manageable.

When upgrades are bundled thoughtfully, the impact compounds. Insulation improves heat pump performance. Electrical upgrades unlock electrification. Clean energy systems reduce long-term exposure to fuel price volatility.

A Practical Path Forward

The Energy Saver Home Loan Program recognizes that energy affordability is about access as much as it’s about technology.

By pairing affordable financing with trusted guidance, the program helps homeowners act on improvements they already know would make their homes more comfortable, resilient, and affordable to operate.

If you are interested in making your home or town more sustainable

Let’s talk!

Energy Saver Home Loan Program

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Energy affordability is about access.

Energy Costs Are Rising — and Homes Are at the Center

A Financing Gap That Slows Real Progress

How the Energy Saver Home Loan Program Changes the Equation

Key features include:

Meet David,
a MA homeowner

Built-In Support to Help Homeowners Make Informed Choices

Participants work with:

What the Loan Can Be Used For (and Why It Matters)

Discover the full range of home improvements supported through the Energy Saver Home Loan Program.

Energy Affordability in Practice

Lower energy use translates into:

Taking the First Step

A Practical Path Forward

Let’s talk!

Energy Saver Home Loan Program

join our work, Talk to us!

get resilient content!

Energy affordability is about access.

Energy Costs Are Rising — and Homes Are at the Center

A Financing Gap That Slows Real Progress

How the Energy Saver Home Loan Program Changes the Equation

Key features include:

Meet David,a MA homeowner

Built-In Support to Help Homeowners Make Informed Choices

Participants work with:

What the Loan Can Be Used For (and Why It Matters)

Discover the full range of home improvements supported through the Energy Saver Home Loan Program.

Energy Affordability in Practice

Lower energy use translates into:

Taking the First Step

A Practical Path Forward

Let’s talk!

Energy Saver Home Loan Program

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join our work, Talk to us!

get resilient content!

Meet David,
a MA homeowner