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MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts Water Heater
Replacement

Licensing, rebates, running costs and local guides for 59 Massachusetts communities.

Local guides in Massachusetts

Boston area

PlacePermit to replaceFeeElectricCompanies
BostonRequired$20Eversource (NSTAR Electric)8
CambridgeRequired$50Eversource10
LowellRequired$50National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)6
BrocktonRequired$80National Grid5
QuincyRequired—National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)8
LynnRequired$18National Grid8
NewtonRequired$20Eversource (NSTAR Electric)16
LawrenceRequired$21National Grid6
SomervilleRequired$60Eversource (NSTAR Electric)10
FraminghamRequired$50Eversource8
HaverhillRequired$20National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)8
MaldenRequired$50National Grid7
WalthamRequired$25Eversource (NSTAR Electric)11
BrooklineRequired$20Eversource12
RevereRequired$50National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)6
MedfordRequired$25Eversource, National Grid9
PeabodyRequired$15Peabody Municipal Light Plant (PMLP)8
MethuenRequired$50National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)7
EverettRequired—National Grid6
ArlingtonRequired$30Eversource (NSTAR Electric)10
SalemRequired$25National Grid10
BeverlyRequired$10National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)7
WoburnRequired—Eversource10
MarlboroughRequired$40National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)4
ChelseaRequired—Eversource5
WatertownRequired$30Eversource10
LexingtonRequired$60Eversource12
NeedhamRequired$100Eversource9
NorwoodRequired—Norwood Municipal Light Department (Norwood Light)7
WellesleyRequired$50Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP)10
GloucesterRequired—National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)6
MelroseRequired$40National Grid8
SaugusRequired$40National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)8
MiltonRequired$35Eversource12
DanversRequired$15Danvers Electric Division (municipal)8
WakefieldRequired$25Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department (WMGLD)10
BelmontRequired$30Belmont Light (Belmont Municipal Light Department)10
BurlingtonRequired$45Eversource (NSTAR Electric)6
ReadingRequired$50Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD)9
DedhamRequired$40Eversource (NSTAR Electric)8
WinchesterRequired$50Eversource11
StonehamRequired$50Eversource (NSTAR Electric)8
WilmingtonRequired$50Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD)8
MarbleheadRequired—Marblehead Municipal Light Department (MMLD)7
NewburyportRequired—National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)7
AmesburyRequired$80National Grid5
AbingtonRequired—National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)5
HudsonRequired$50Hudson Light & Power Department (municipal)9
SwampscottRequired$50National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)8
LynnfieldRequired$50Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD), Peabody Municipal Light Plant7
HolbrookRequired$50National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)6
MaynardRequired—Eversource5
HullRequired$75Hull Municipal Light Plant3
BraintreeRequired$50Braintree Electric Light Department (BELD)7
BridgewaterRequired$70National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)3
FranklinRequired$100National Grid5
RandolphRequired—National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)6
WeymouthRequired$40National Grid (Massachusetts Electric)8
WinthropRequired$30National Grid5

Licensing in Massachusetts

The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, part of the Division of Occupational Licensure, licenses Journeyman and Master Plumbers and Journeyman and Master Gas Fitters (and registers apprentices); only a licensed master or journeyman plumber may do plumbing work, and a licensed plumber may also do gas fitting work, but a gas fitter may not do plumbing.

Under 248 CMR 3.05, plumbing or gas fitting work may not be installed, altered, replaced or repaired until the local Inspector of plumbing and gas fitting issues a permit, and permits go only to properly licensed individuals (not apprentices or homeowners).

Massachusetts eLIPSE license lookup ↗ · Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (mass.gov, Wayback copy 2026-09-01) ↗ · Plumbers and gas fitters consumer fact sheet (mass.gov) ↗ · Check an occupational board license (plumbers and gas fitters are in eLIPSE) ↗ · 248 CMR 3.00: Permits and Inspections (3.05) ↗

Rebates and credits in Massachusetts

Mass Save heat pump water heater rebate

Mass Save sponsors (Eversource, National Grid, Cape Light Compact, Unitil, Liberty, Berkshire Gas) · Active

$750 for an ENERGY STAR heat pump water heater (UEF 3.30, or 2.20 for 120-volt plug-in units), or $1,500 for a split-system model, when replacing an existing electric, propane, natural gas or oil water heater.

Installed by a licensed plumber by December 31, 2026, with paperwork due February 28, 2027. One rebate per account; claim it as an instant discount through plumbers at participating distributors, in store at Home Depot or Lowe's, or via the Mass Save online marketplace. Cannot be combined with other utility offers.

Program details ↗

Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C)

IRS · Ended

Covered improvements made through December 31, 2025. Not available for 2026 installations.

Program details ↗

Checked September 29, 2026. Massachusetts' IRA home energy rebate (HEAR) status could not be confirmed because mass.gov blocked automated access. Mass Save gas water heater rebates were not reviewed. Utility rebates are only for that utility’s customers. Each city guide shows the rebates for its utilities.

What it costs to run in Massachusetts

Estimated yearly energy cost at Massachusetts’s average residential prices: 30.14¢ per kWh (year to date through July 2026) and $25.06 per thousand cubic feet of gas (2025 annual average).

Estimated yearly energy cost by water heater type in Massachusetts
TypeEfficiency (UEF)Energy per yearEst. cost per year
Gas storage tank0.64174 therms$422
Gas tankless0.93120 therms$290
Electric storage tank0.923,556 kWh$1,072
Heat-pump tank3.5935 kWh$282

Assumes the Department of Energy’s medium-use test: 55 gallons a day heated 67°F, and typical efficiency ratings for each type. Colder incoming water, larger households and your utility’s actual rates change the result. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B ↗ · EIA Natural Gas Prices, residential ↗ · ENERGY STAR test conditions ↗.