{"id":7339,"date":"2017-08-31T18:57:07","date_gmt":"2017-08-31T22:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/?page_id=7339"},"modified":"2025-08-12T09:33:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T13:33:48","slug":"eligible-heatsmart-technologies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/energy-at-home\/eligible-heatsmart-technologies\/","title":{"rendered":"Efficient Space Heating and Water Heating"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3>Moving Away from Fossil Fuels: Options for efficient space heating and water heating in your home<\/h3>\n<div class=\"flex_column av-pnwpo-0a3c7bd8cf833c638ae435b50ce0a386 av_one_full avia-builder-el-22 el_after_av_one_fifth avia-builder-el-last first flex_column_div column-top-margin\">\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section av-p79ps-b09a62292b99138f047a009e38ff8b14\">\n<div class=\"avia_textblock\">\n<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeClicked CommentHighlightClicked SCXW140553668 BCX0\">In<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun CommentHighlightClicked SCXW140553668 BCX0\"> Massachusetts, residential buildings represent 24% of greenhouse gas emissions and will play a large role in helping the State reach its target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To this end, Massachusetts is aiming to retrofit and decarbonize 1 million residential buildings by 2030, through electrification and efficiency measures.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you are considering upgrading inefficient heating equipment, it is helpful to start with with a<a href=\"http:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/home-energy-assessments\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> no-cost home energy assessment<\/a>. <span class=\"body-generic\">Your custom home energy report will<\/span> include information on rebates.<\/p>\n<h6><strong>Air-Source Heat Pumps (\u201cASHP\u201d): <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/air-source-heat-pumps-wiki-commons.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-13056 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/air-source-heat-pumps-wiki-commons.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"204\" height=\"180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/air-source-heat-pumps-wiki-commons.jpg 204w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/air-source-heat-pumps-wiki-commons-150x132.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><\/a><\/h6>\n<p><strong>Technology Description:<\/strong>\u00a0 From <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/air-source-heat-pumps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mass. Clean Energy Center (Mass. CEC<\/a>) Air-source heat pumps are a flexible, cost-effective and energy-efficient option for both heating and cooling homes in a cold climate like Massachusetts. While traditional systems burn fuel to create heat, ASHPs work by moving heat in the air into or out of a home. Using electricity to power a compressor, they transfer heat using the refrigeration cycle, moving heat indoors in winter and outdoors in summer. Think of it as an air conditioner that can also work in reverse.<\/p>\n<p>The ASHP system may distribute hot or cold air using your existing ductwork. Ductless options are also available.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cost<\/strong>: ASHPs are eligible for <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/benefits-savings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Federal tax rebates,<\/a> (<strong>but <em>only <\/em>until <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dec. 31, 2025<\/span> &#8211; they have been eliminated by federal legislation signed into law in July 2025)<\/strong>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.masssave.com\/en\/residential\/rebates-and-incentives\/air-source-heat-pumps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">generous MassSave rebates<\/a>. Although they require electricity to operate, they are much more efficient, and thus lower-cost, than electric resistance (electric baseboard) heating and also save money on utility bills compared to heating with propane or oil.\u00a0 The federal tax credits for various energy-related technologies that were part of the Biden 2022 IRA Legislation have been eliminated by federal<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/solar-house-csm-B.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-17536 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/solar-house-csm-B.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/solar-house-csm-B.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/solar-house-csm-B-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/solar-house-csm-B-45x45.jpg 45w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a> legislation signed into law in July 2025.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/air-source-heat-pumps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mass CEC website<\/a> for a wealth of details, including graphics, videos, and text about cost, rebates, technology explanations, and customer stories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><strong>Ground-Source Heat Pumps (\u201cGSHPs\u201d): <\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><strong>Technology Description:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>From <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/ground-source-heat-pumps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mass Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC<\/a>): A ground source heat pump is the most efficient heating and cooling system available, more efficient than electric resistance (electric baseboard), oil, propane, or gas heating. They also provide highly efficient air conditioning and potentially hot water.<\/p>\n<p>Also known as a <strong>geothermal heat pump<\/strong>, a ground-source heat pump exchanges heat through piping buried in the ground. In the winter, it absorbs the abundant, renewable heat in the ground to heat your home. In the summer, when the air is warmer than the ground, it uses the cooler temperature of the earth to reduce the temperature of the air in your home. Ground-source heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels; they use electricity to run a compressor.<\/p>\n<p>Cost: Initial cost is higher than air source heat pump, but <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/ground-source-heat-pumps\/#tab-id-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">generous rebates,<\/a> (<strong><em>the 30% Federal tax credit is only available until <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dec. 31, 2025<\/span> &#8211; it has been eliminated by federal legislation signed into law in July 2025<\/em><\/strong>), are available. The <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/article\/gshp-the-benefits-of-ground-source-heat-pumps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">operating costs are typically lower<\/a> than oil, propane, or electric resistance, and about the same as (or marginally higher than) natural gas heating\u00a0.<\/p>\n<p>A minimum of a small yard is necessary for the holes to be drilled.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/article\/how-ground-source-heat-pumps-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mass CEC website<\/a> for a wealth of details, including graphics, videos, and text about cost, rebates, technology explanations, and customer stories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><strong>Solar Hot Water: <\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><strong>Technology Description<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>From <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/article\/how-solar-hot-water-works\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mass CEC:<\/a> Solar collectors, mounted on the roof or ground next to a home, absorb heat from the sun and transfer it through a fluid loop into a solar storage tank (typically located in the basement or mechanical room) that stores preheated water. This heated water is then piped throughout the home to showers, dishwashers, sinks, and washing machines. Solar hot water systems can also be used for pool heating and for space heating.<\/p>\n<p>Solar hot water systems are typically sized to provide up to 80% of a home\u2019s annual domestic hot water needs. Since the sun is stronger in the summer, the solar hot water system can provide for all of a home\u2019s domestic hot water needs during that season. In the winter, when the days are shorter, a backup heat source (often an electric resistance heating element) is used to provide additional hot water to meet 100% of a home\u2019s hot water needs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Households that do not have sufficient roof space for a solar PV system may still have enough roof space for a solar hot water system.<\/li>\n<li>There are <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/solar-hot-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">federal and state incentives,<\/a>(<strong><em>the 30% Federal tax credit is only available until <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dec. 31, 2025<\/span> &#8211; it has been eliminated by federal legislation signed into law in July 2025<\/em><\/strong>), available. <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/benefits-savings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read more<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/solar-hot-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Solar Hot Water<\/a>\u00a0 section of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center website is a good resource.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><strong>Heat Pump Water Heater:<\/strong><\/h6>\n<p><strong>Technology Description<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>From Mass CEC: <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/heat-pump-water-heater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Heat pump water heaters<\/a> transfer heat from the surrounding indoor air (or the outdoor air, if the water heater is connected to the outdoors by vents) into a hot water tank in an open, unfinished basement or garage. This heated water is then piped throughout the home to showers, dishwashers, sinks, and washing machines. When needed, a backup source of heat in the tank will provide supplemental hot water. Because heat is transferred instead of generated by burning fossil fuels or using an electric resistance tank, heat pump water heaters can be three times more efficient than conventional water heaters.<\/p>\n<p>If the heat pump can\u2019t meet the hot water heating needs of the home (due to high usage or the space becoming too cold for sufficient heat absorption), backup electric resistance elements can boost the temperature of the water as needed. By pulling heat from the surrounding air, heat pump water heaters also provide dehumidification to the space in which they are located.<\/p>\n<p>Cost: Massachusetts rebate and a federal tax credit of up to $2000 (<strong><em>the Federal tax credit is only available<\/em><\/strong><strong><em>\u00a0until <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Dec. 31, 2025<\/span> &#8211; it has been eliminated by federal legislation signed into law in July 2025<\/em><\/strong>),are available. See <a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/benefits-savings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mass CEC chart<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h5><b>Still have Questions?<\/b><\/h5>\n<p>Would you like to <em><strong>talk<\/strong> \u00a0<\/em>to someone knowledgeable about efficient space heating and water heating in your home who is <strong><em>not<\/em> \u00a0<\/strong>a salesperson?\u00a0 Green Needham can provide expert advice that is free from commercial bias (we\u2019re not trying to sell you something).\u00a0 We can meet with you in your home or over the phone to help answer your questions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What we <em><u>can<\/u><\/em>\u00a0 do:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Help you determine whether the project makes sense for your house<\/li>\n<li>Estimate the probable costs and savings for your project<\/li>\n<li>Determine how the project will affect your carbon footprint<\/li>\n<li>Discuss how to find contractors for your project<\/li>\n<li>Help you review contractor proposals and compose important follow-up questions to ask<\/li>\n<li>Discuss the \u201cnext steps\u201d for moving forward with the proposed project<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What we can <em><u>not<\/u><\/em>\u00a0 do:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Design the work<\/li>\n<li>Calculate firm costs and savings<\/li>\n<li>Oversee the construction<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>So, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/ask-the-expert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ask a Green Needham Energy Coach<\/a>\u00a0 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">your<\/span> project questions.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Updated Jan, 2024<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnc-resources-header\">Resources<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"gnc-resources-subheader\">Documents<\/h5>\n\t\t<ul class=\"documents\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"document document-11182\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/documents\/2019\/09\/air-source-heat-pumps-101.pdf\/\"\n\t\t\t\t target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\tAir Source Heat Pumps 101\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"document document-11468\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/documents\/2019\/10\/energy-efficient-heating-with-ductless-hvac.pdf\/\"\n\t\t\t\t target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\tEnergy Efficient Heating with Ductless HVAC\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"document document-13455\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/documents\/2021\/03\/gnc-heat-energy-calculator-w-cost.xlsx\/\"\n\t\t\t\t target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\tGNC Heat Energy Calculator w.Cost\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"document document-11186\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/documents\/2019\/09\/whole-home-air-source-heat-pump-pilot-program.pdf\/\"\n\t\t\t\t target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\tWhole Home Air Source Heat Pump Pilot Program\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\n<h5 class=\"gnc-resources-subheader\">Resources on the Web<\/h5>\n<!-- Links --><table style=\"margin:0;padding:0;\"><tr style=\"width:100%;\">\r\n<td style=\"width:100px;vertical-align:top\">\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.masscec.com\/solar-electricity\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Mass-Clean-Energy-center-logo.png\" border=0 style=\"width:100px\"><\/a>\r\n<\/td><td>\r\n<div class=\"links_sc_fb\" style=\"text-align:left\">\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.masscec.com\/solar-electricity\" target=\"_blank\">Learn About Solar Electricity: Mass Clean Energy Center<\/a>\r\n<br \/>Good and comprehensive overview of solar electricity technology - benefits of solar, determining if your roof is good for solar, finding an installer, financing, and how solar incentives work.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"width:100%;\">\r\n<td style=\"width:100px;vertical-align:top\">\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/solar-hot-water\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Mass-Clean-Energy-center-logo.png\" border=0 style=\"width:100px\"><\/a>\r\n<\/td><td>\r\n<div class=\"links_sc_fb\" style=\"text-align:left\">\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/goclean.masscec.com\/clean-energy-solutions\/solar-hot-water\/\" target=\"_blank\">Learn About Solar Hot Water: Mass Clean Energy Center<\/a>\r\n<br \/>Good and comprehensive overview of solar hot water technology - benefits of solar, determining if your roof is good for solar, finding an installer, financing, and how solar incentives work.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"width:100%;\">\r\n<td style=\"width:100px;vertical-align:top\">\r\n\r\n<\/td><td>\r\n<div class=\"links_sc_fb\" style=\"text-align:left\">\r\n<a href=\"http:\/\/pvwatts.nrel.gov\/pvwatts.php\" target=\"_blank\">PV Watts: Estimate Your Home&#039;s Solar Potential<\/a>\r\n<br \/>With PV Watts &amp; Google Maps you can sketch out a solar system on your home to estimate your potential\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"width:100%;\">\r\n<td style=\"width:100px;vertical-align:top\">\r\n\r\n<\/td><td>\r\n<div class=\"links_sc_fb\" style=\"text-align:left\">\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/energy.gov\/energysaver\/solar-water-heaters\" target=\"_blank\">Solar Hot Water Basics<\/a>\r\n<br \/>Basics of Solar Hot Water from the US Department of Energy\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/td><\/tr><\/table>\n<!-- \/Links -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Check out options for efficient space heating and water heating in your home&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":13056,"parent":13041,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7339","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7339"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19411,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7339\/revisions\/19411"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13056"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.greenneedham.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}