Utility Resources
The City of Boston has resources for residents and small businesses to save money on their bills and make your home or place a of business more energy efficient. In need of a payment plan or to apply for shut-off protection with your utility company? We've included those resources as well.
The City knows that energy affordability is critical to our residents and small businesses. Outlined are some resources that can help you reduce your monthly utility bills.
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Proactive steps
Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE)
The first step you can take is to ensure that where your electricity comes from is affordable. Boston Community Choice Electricity (BCCE) is a City-run program that gives residents and small business owners three options for electricity pricing and renewable energy. When you join BCCE, Eversource will still deliver your electricity, read your meter, handle all of the customer service, and you will continue making payments to them. Nothing will change on your bill except for the "supply" section.
On a payment plan, budget billing, or receive net-metering credits? Switching to BCCE will not interfere with your discounts in any way.
Eversource recently announced its Basic Service supply rate for residential customers, $0.15772/kWh (and $0.15677/kWh for small businesses). Although lower than their previous rate of $0.17216/kWh, Basic Service is still more expensive than the BCCE Basic and Standard plans.
For competitive supply, we are still seeing rates that are more than double the BCCE Standard rate for some residents.
BCCE rates are locked in thru December 2025 and there is no contract or termination fee. You can join or leave the Program at any point.
Sign up for BCCE
Ready to join? Submit an enrollment request.
SCHEDULE A CALL
More questions? Set up a time with an expert to help you join the program.
Switch Suppliers
On third-party supply? Here are some tips that may help you avoid termination fees.
Mass Save Energy Assessment
Now that you know your electricity supply is coming from BCCE, sign up for a no-cost Mass Save energy assessment for your home or small business. Mass Save has no-cost and deeply discounted options to reduce your energy use, improve comfort, and make sure that you are getting the most out of the energy you are paying for.
Benefits of Mass Save include:
- Home energy assessments (1 to 4 units)
- No-cost air sealing and 75-100% off approved insulation
- High-efficiency heating and cooling upgrades
- Pre-weatherization barrier incentives
- 0% HEAT Loan
- Multi-family energy assessments (5+ units)
- Income-eligible programs
- Small business assessments
Seniors Save Program
The Boston Home Center's Seniors Save program helps seniors replace failing heating systems to ensure they are ready for winter. You can apply if you're over the age of 60 and need help replacing your heating system. The City offers financial and contractor help.
The application has 11 language options: English, Español, Português, 中文, Français, Kriolu Kabuverdianu, Kreyòl ayisyen, Soomaali, русский, Tiếng Việt, and عربى.
Utility Assistance
Utility Payment Assistance
Utility HelpBetween November 15 and March 15, residential customers receiving utility assistance are protected from utility shut-off if:
- the utility service is needed to heat your home, and
- you receive service from an investor-owned utility, such as Eversource or National Grid.
You can contact Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or National Grid at 1-800-233-5325 for more information.
At all other times, if you are experiencing financial hardship and one or more of the following applies, your electric or gas cannot be shut off without permission from the Department of Public Utilities (DPU):
- You have an infant under 12 months in your home
- Everyone in the home is over the age of 65
- All adults in the home are age 65 or older and a minor child resides in the home
- You, or someone in your home, is seriously ill, also known as Medical Protection (Eversource) or Special Protection (National Grid)
HEAP applications open October 1st for the upcoming heating season of November 1st, 2024-April 30th, 2025.
The Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP, formerly LIHEAP) can help income-eligible residents pay a portion of their winter heating bill. Find out if your household qualifies: FY25 Eligibility Requirements for Heating Assistance. You can directly online or through ABCD.
If you’re an Eversource or National Grid customer living in Boston, and you receive their fuel assistance services, you’re also eligible for the utility bill advocacy program, often called “arrearage management" through ABCD. You can apply online or call 617-357-6012.
Eversource has a number of assistance programs and repayment plans.
- Budget Billing: Divide your yearly cost into 12 monthly, equal payments.
- Discount Rate: Eversource offers a monthly discount rate for income-eligible and benefit receiving residents.
- New Start Program: For income-eligible residents that are behind in payments by two or more months or have a balance of $300 or more.
National Grid has a number of assistance programs and repayment plans.
- Budget Billing: Divide your yearly cost into 12 monthly, equal payments.
- Payment Plan: Unable to pay your bill on time? A payment extension may help.
- Discount Rate: National Grid offers a monthly discount rate for income-eligible residents.
- Forgiveness Program: For income-eligible residents that are behind in payments by two or more months or have a balance of $300 or more.
The Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund is available to any Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty:
- cannot meet a month's energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance.
- with household income between 60 and 80 percent of the state's median income level.
You may apply for assistance by directly contacting your local Salvation Army Corps Community Center or Service Extension Unit:
- Boston Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center 650 Dudley Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 617-318-6900
- Boston South End Corps 1500 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118-2015 617-536-5260
The Boston Water & Sewer Commission (BWSC) offers flexibility to residents experiencing financial difficulties.
Homeowners who are 65 years of age and older, or fully disabled homeowners who live in a 1-4 family residential dwelling, are eligible for a 30% discount on their monthly water and sewer charges. Residents with a medical necessity need may also qualify for financial hardship to prevent a shut-off, or resume service terminated for non-payment. Need more time to pay? They offer a payment plan to qualified residents as well.
For more information, visit the BWSC Residential Billing Info & Assistance page or call 617-989-7800.
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