What does a more energy-efficient Massachusetts look like? It looks like schools with upgraded heating systems, public buildings that cost less to operate, and communities working together to create a more sustainable future.
Across the Commonwealth, cities, towns, businesses, and organizations are making investments that benefit not only their buildings, but the people who use them every day.
And this month, those efforts are getting some well-deserved recognition.
The Sponsors of Mass Save® recently announced the 2026 Mass Save Impact Award recipients, honoring 17 organizations and communities for their leadership in energy efficiency, electrification, and building improvements.
At HomeWorks Energy, we’re excited to celebrate all of this year’s recipients as fellow leaders in sustainability throughout Massachusetts.
What Are the Mass Save Impact Awards?
Formerly known as the Mass Save Climate Leaders awards, the Mass Save Impact Awards recognize organizations that are turning energy-efficiency and sustainability goals into measurable results.
Presented annually by the Sponsors of Mass Save, the awards celebrate projects that reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, improve building performance, and help Massachusetts move toward a more sustainable future.
This year’s recipients represent a diverse group of municipalities, schools, healthcare providers, businesses, nonprofits, and cultural organizations.
Their collective impact is impressive: The projects recognized through the 2026 awards are expected to deliver lifetime carbon emissions reductions equivalent to the annual energy use of nearly 30,000 homes.
The recipients will be honored at the Massachusetts State House on October 27, 2026.
Meet the 2026 Mass Save Impact Award Recipients
How Energy-Efficiency Upgrades Make a Difference in Our Communities
When communities invest in energy efficiency, the benefits extend far beyond lower utility bills. Upgrades to schools, libraries, town halls, and other public buildings can improve comfort, reduce operating costs, and free up resources for other community priorities.
These investments also help reduce energy waste and greenhouse gas emissions, creating lasting benefits for residents and the environment. And as this year’s Mass Save Impact Award recipients demonstrate, communities across Massachusetts are putting those improvements into action.
You can join in the journey to a more energy-efficient future by scheduling a Home Energy Assessment with HomeWorks Energy at no cost thanks to the Sponsors of Mass Save. Eligible residents will learn how to make their homes more energy-efficient and may receive valuable rebates and incentives to help make upgrades affordable.
Celebrating Massachusetts Communities Leading the Way
Among the 17 recipients are seven Massachusetts municipalities: Athol, Cambridge, Fall River, Quincy, Springfield, Townsend, and Westwood.
Each has demonstrated a commitment to making its public buildings and operations more energy-efficient.
For example, the City of Quincy completed more than 100 energy-efficiency projects across schools, libraries, fire stations, and other municipal facilities. These improvements included lighting upgrades, building management systems, and heat pump installations.
The Town of Townsend has also invested in improvements across its public buildings, while Springfield, Cambridge, Fall River, and Westwood have pursued energy-saving projects that support their communities’ long-term goals.
Together, these efforts show that energy efficiency isn’t limited to one type of building or one approach. From individual equipment upgrades to comprehensive building improvements, communities of all sizes can make meaningful progress.
A Special Congratulations to the Town of Athol, a HomeWorks Energy Partner
We’re especially proud to celebrate the Town of Athol, a HomeWorks Energy community partner and 2026 Mass Save Impact Award recipient.
Athol earned this recognition through its commitment to improving energy efficiency across municipal and school facilities, including its public library, police department, elementary school, middle school, and high school.
Athol's Achievements in Energy-Efficiency
According to Mass Save, the town’s accomplishments include:
completed in municipal buildings and public school facilities
added through 12 electrification projects across key community facilities
saved through heat pump and lighting and energy-efficiency improvements
These improvements are helping Athol reduce energy consumption while creating more comfortable, efficient spaces for the people who live, work, and learn there. But Athol’s commitment to energy efficiency doesn’t stop at its public buildings.
Bringing Energy Savings Home Through Our Athol Partnership
Through our partnership with the Town of Athol, HomeWorks Energy helps connect local residents with opportunities to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their own homes.
Our work supports the same community-wide goals that make Athol’s award recognition so meaningful: reducing energy waste, helping residents manage energy costs, and making energy-saving improvements more accessible.
Through the Mass Save program, eligible homeowners can receive a no-cost Home Energy Assessment to identify opportunities for improvements such as insulation, air sealing, and heating and cooling upgrades.
With a completed assessment, homeowners receive a customized report and personalized guidance on the rebates, incentives, and energy-saving opportunities available to their homes.
Available Mass Save benefits may include:
- 75-100% off recommended insulation upgrades
- 100% off air sealing
- Heat pump rebates for eligible heating and cooling upgrades
- 0% financing up to $25,000 through the Mass Save HEAT Loan
- No-cost programmable thermostats and water-saving devices
By connecting residents with these resources, our partnership helps bring the benefits of energy efficiency beyond municipal buildings and into the homes of Athol families.
We’re grateful to work alongside a community that continues to make energy efficiency a priority, and we congratulate Athol’s leaders and residents on this well-deserved recognition!
Every Home Can Be Part of the Bigger Picture
The 2026 Mass Save Impact Awards are a reminder that meaningful change often begins at the local level.
While large-scale projects in schools, businesses, and municipal buildings can deliver significant energy savings, individual homes also have an important role to play.
An attic that’s properly insulated. Air leaks that have been sealed. An aging heating system replaced with more efficient equipment.
Each improvement can help homeowners enjoy greater comfort, reduce energy waste, and potentially lower their energy bills.
And when those improvements happen across hundreds or thousands of homes, the benefits can extend throughout an entire community. By working with municipalities, local organizations, and community leaders across Massachusetts, HomeWorks Energy helps bring energy-efficiency resources directly to residents, making it easier for more households to participate.
Congratulations to All 2026 Mass Save Impact Award Recipients!
To all 17 of this year’s award recipients: congratulations! Your commitment to energy efficiency is helping create more comfortable buildings, reduce energy costs, and build stronger, more sustainable communities across Massachusetts.
Want to make your home part of the progress?
Schedule your no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment with HomeWorks Energy and discover opportunities to improve your home’s comfort and efficiency.
