The first cold mornings in Springfield always tell on a house. You feel the draft by the back door, you hear the furnace kick on more than it should, and you start wondering what this winter's bills are going to look like. Before you start pricing out new windows or a new boiler, there's one free step a lot of people skip: a Mass Save Home Energy Assessment.

What it is

Mass Save is the state's energy efficiency program, sponsored by the utilities, and Eversource is one of those sponsors. The assessment costs you nothing. An Energy Specialist walks through your home (or does it virtually), looks at where you're losing heat, and gives you a report showing the rebates and upgrades you qualify for. Booking it doesn't commit you to buying anything.

Who qualifies

According to Mass Save, homeowners, renters and landlords can all request one, as long as the home is in a 1 to 4 unit building. That covers a lot of Springfield, from single families in Sixteen Acres to the two- and three-families in Forest Park. If you live in a building with 5 or more units, Mass Save says to talk with your landlord about a multi-family assessment instead.

One thing to check: municipal utilities aren't part of Mass Save. If your electric or gas bill comes from a municipal light plant rather than a sponsor like Eversource, you'll need to contact that utility directly.

Why Springfield gets extra help

This is the part a lot of neighbors don't know. Springfield is part of Mass Save's Community First Partnership, and Mass Save's Springfield page says residents of a Designated Equity Community can get select upgrades at no cost. For homes in 1 to 4 unit buildings, the assessment can lead to 100% off the insulation and air sealing the specialist recommends.

Statewide, Mass Save lists no-cost targeted air sealing and 75 to 100% off approved insulation, so Springfield residents are at the top of that range. The Springfield page also lists heat pump rebates of up to $16,000 for air source systems and up to $25,000 for ground source, plus 0% financing through the Mass Save HEAT Loan program (subject to lender approval). Landlords with rental properties may qualify for a no-cost upgrade package too.

Offers change and some restrictions apply, so think of these as what's posted right now, not a promise. The specialist will tell you exactly what your house qualifies for.

Get it done before the cold sets in

Fall is the right time. Air sealing and insulation pay off most when they're done before you're running the heat every day, and nobody wants a crew in the attic during a January cold snap. You can start on Mass Save's Springfield Community First page or call the local line listed there, (413) 390-0959. Arise, working with the City of Springfield, is the local partner on the program.

A few tips to get the most out of the visit. Have a recent utility bill handy. Know roughly how old your furnace or boiler is. Clear a path to the attic hatch and the basement so the specialist can actually get a look. And jot down the rooms that are always cold, because nobody knows your house better than you do.

When the report recommends new equipment

If the assessment points you toward a heat pump, boiler or furnace, that's when you want a contractor you can trust. You can browse Springfield heating and cooling companies on The Town Pros and compare a few local options. Whoever you call, ask whether they work with Mass Save rebates before you sign anything.

The cheapest heat is the heat you don't lose. Book the free assessment first, then decide what's worth fixing.

This guide is general information, not professional advice. If something seems unsafe, stop and call a licensed pro.

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