Massachusetts Heat Pump Owners Could Save More on Electricity This Winter

If you heat your home with a heat pump, there’s a line on your electric bill worth checking before winter: your rate.

Massachusetts introduced seasonal heat pump electricity rates last winter. Now, National Grid and Unitil have received approval for additional winter rate reductions, beginning November 1, 2026.

At Forge, we talk with homeowners about what it costs to install a heat pump all the time. What it costs to run one matters just as much. Here’s what to know before heating season starts.

What is the Massachusetts heat pump rate?

It’s a lower seasonal electric delivery rate for eligible households that use a heat pump to heat all or part of their home. It applies from November 1 through April 30, when heat pumps are doing their winter work.

The reduced rate applies to the electricity used by the whole home during those months. You don’t need a separate meter for your heat pump. It also doesn’t mean your entire electric bill gets discounted: supply charges and other bill components still matter. National Grid explains how its rate appears on a bill.

What changed for winter 2026–2027?

National Grid and Unitil already offered winter heat pump rates. This winter, their approved changes will lower the rate further. Eversource also offers a seasonal heat pump rate, but the newly reported reductions are for National Grid and Unitil customers.

How much you save depends on your electric utility, your rate, and how much electricity your home uses. We cannot promise a specific dollar amount based on someone else’s bill. Still, lower winter delivery charges are welcome news for households heating with a heat pump.

Do I need to heat my entire home with a heat pump?

No. Homeowners using a heat pump for part of their heating may qualify, too. For example, you might have ductless units serving a few rooms while keeping another heating system in place.

The key distinction is that the heat pump must be used for space heating. A system used only for air conditioning, or a heat pump water heater on its own, doesn’t qualify for National Grid’s residential heat pump rate.

How do I know if I’m enrolled?

Check your electric bill or ask your utility. Some customers who received a qualifying Mass Save heat pump rebate may have been enrolled automatically. If you installed a heat pump without a rebate, moved into a home that already had one, or simply haven’t seen a confirmation, it’s worth checking rather than assuming the rate is in place.

Here are the utility pages to start with:

• National Grid heat pump rate and enrollment information
• Unitil heat pump rate and enrollment information
• Eversource heat pump rate information

Your utility can confirm eligibility and enrollment for your account. If you need to apply, it may ask for information showing that you have a heat pump installed and use it for heating.

Thinking about installing a heat pump?

The winter rate is one more piece of the cost conversation, alongside equipment, installation, available rebates, and how your home is currently heated. Every house is different. The right system depends on the spaces you want to heat, your existing equipment, and a design that fits the home.

Forge can help you work through those questions. We design and install heat pump systems here in Massachusetts, and our team can explain how a proposed system would heat your home, whether you’re planning to replace your current heating system or add heat pumps to part of the house.

Already have a heat pump? Check your electric rate before November, and make sure the system is ready for heating season. If it needs service or you’re due for maintenance, reach Forge at service@forgeco.com. If you’re exploring a new system, get in touch with our team to schedule a site visit.