The office is located at 133 Keyes Road on the second floor. 

Check in with the Administrative Specialist on the first floor.

Hours are Monday – Thursday 8:00am-4:00pm and Friday 8:00am-12:00pm

Massachusetts cities and towns operate on a “Fiscal Year” basis. The calendar year runs from January 1st through December 31st. The fiscal year runs from July 1st through June 30th. The assessment date is January 1st preceding the fiscal year. That is, for Fiscal Year 2025 the assessment date is January 1, 2024.

There is a spreadsheet, listing many of the relevant factors which go into the assessment, on this website under Fiscal Year 2025 Information.  Also, Property Record Cards, which contain ownership information, visit history, land and building details, and other factors, and which display a property’s valuation, are available on this website.

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The assessed value represents the estimate of market value of the property. The real estate market changes constantly. The assessment for fiscal year 2025 represents the estimate of market value as of January 1, 2024. This estimate of market value is determined by examining sales of properties from calendar year 2023. Although there may not have been any physical changes to the property, buyers may be paying more or less for properties than they were in previous years.  The assessment changes reflect the changes in the purchase prices of similar homes in the neighborhood. The assessments do not predict market value. The assessments reflect (or report) market value. The real estate market can change dramatically from year to year. Buyers and sellers determine the market value of properties. The assessments reflect what the buyers and sellers are doing as of the assessment date.

This is when an owner would file for an abatement. There are 3 basic reasons for granting an abatement: data error(s), overvaluation, or inequitable assessment. An abatement application is not a complaint about taxes or how much your assessment has increased. It is an attempt to prove that your property’s estimated market value is inaccurate or unfair based on recent sales of comparable properties. 

Not necessarily. If a data correction or adjustment has been made that should be permanent, it will carry forward to the next and following years until such time as there is a change in the property and/or a change in the valuation methodology that affects that property. Therefore, it would not be necessary to reapply the following year(s). If, however, a 1-time adjustment were granted just for the current year, the assumption is that the adjustment does not carry forward into the next year. If the property owner then feels that the valuation is overstated in the following year, he/she must submit a new application.

A property owner may submit an appeal to the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board (ATB):

Appellate Tax Board

100 Cambridge Street #200

Boston, MA 02114

First, you want to check for leaks. The “usual suspects” for leaks are toilets and in-ground irrigation systems. If no leaks are detected, then you can do some sleuthing by using your water meter. Most water meters are located in basements near the wall closest to the street. They can also be in a utility closet, mechanical room or outside in a pit in the ground. In Concord, the meters measure water use in cubic feet (CF). One cubic foot equals 7.48 gallons. You can use your meter to track water usage throughout the day or week to determine when a lot of water is being used. Are evening baths the culprit? Daily loads of laundry? Or morning lawn watering? Still baffled? CPW offers free water use audits to residential customers. Call 978-318-3250 to schedule an audit.

Payments can be mailed to: Town House P.O. Box 535 Concord, MA 01742-0535. 

Payments can also be made in person at the Town House, located in Monument Square. Any questions regarding your water and sewer bill should be directed to Utility Customer Service at 978-318-3101. 

We cannot accept payment at the Water and Sewer Division office.

Call Utility Customer Service 978-318-3101 to schedule your final water meter reading. At that time, we will also set up the billing information for the new owner.

No, we require that a Concord Broadband installer configure and install each modem for safety and performance reasons.

No. The modem is connected to the Fiber Optic network and should never be disconnected by anyone else except trained Concord Broadband employees.

Not necessarily. Each installation will present a unique set of challenges.

We need to determine the route of the fiber from the pole or conduit and determine the location of the electronics. We will then have the fiber pulled from the street by CMLP line crews or contractors, and then install at the location.

All this needs to be coordinated to make the best use of time for those involved.

Concord Broadband will extend its fiber optic system into the premises to provide service. Typically this will mean bringing a small fiber optic cable into the home or business near where the electrical service is today.

For underground customers, a conduit is needed. In overhead areas, the fiber will also be overhead. Concord Broadband will install an optical network terminal which function much like a cable modem. This device will connect to customer equipment using Ethernet cables used for computers.

Concord Broadband will also offer optical network terminal that are capable of providing Wi-Fi to reduce the need for inside wiring.

Under Article 48, Concord Broadband intends to offer only data services in the form of High Speed Internet. Concord Broadband offers broadband data access only on its fiber optic system. A variety of speeds and prices are available. High Speed Internet is the most commonly requested service from businesses.

At this time, the fiber is not in place to support existing multi-unit dwellings with more than 3 residences. Also, there are frequently contracts with other providers that grant exclusive right of conduit inside these buildings that we are not allowed to use. We will be addressing multi-unit dwellings after the initial roll out is complete.

If you would like the option of Concord Broadband, please let the property owner know and encourage them to contact CMLP at 978-318-3101.

In the interest of protecting privacy by not collecting any unnecessary information when we started the e-mail system, we decided to keep the information in the email sign-up as minimal as possible.

There are many methods for receiving telephone and television today. We have provided a few examples below for your benefit.
 

Yes, it is possible to upgrade at any time, and changes in service (with the exception of physical relocation of the fiber optic cable itself) will be done without charge.

If you choose to move up or down in the service level offerings, all it will take is a phone call to Customer Service and we can take care of it within 24 hours.

Concord Utilities Customer Service who can be reached at 978-318-3101.

As described in the CMLP Strategic Plan, CMLP is purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to help green our power supply. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that provide proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from a renewable energy resource and was fed into the shared system of power lines which transport energy. Solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) are RECs that are specifically generated by solar energy.

This YouTube video from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency RECs: Making Green Power Possible explains why RECs make power green.

There are changes to most electric rate classes effective January 1, 2025. 

Why are the rates changing?

CMLP charges electric customers what it costs to buy electricity and operate the distribution grid in Concord. The market price for electricity fluctuates while distribution costs generally increase with inflation. Each year CMLP sets new rates that are designed to recoup these costs.

In 2025 the cost to produce electricity is expected to decline by almost $1 million dollars, due in part to lower natural gas prices from a warm winter last year and a warm start to this winter. CMLP’s fixed costs are down as well by about $300,000. Capacity costs are largely unchanged. The cost to transmit power, however, is expected to increase significantly by $1.5 million. As new sources of generation are added to the grid, transmission facilities must be built to bring the new sources to the load centers. The independent New England system operator of the electric grid, the not-for-profit corporation responsible for keeping electricity flowing across the six New England states, determines transmission rates under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s oversight.

Other factors affecting the cost to customers are a need to trim trees in Town this year; an increase in salaries resulting from the Town's annual pay plan and Personnel Board approved merit and equity adjustments; and planned debt and interest payments for solar and energy storage at the middle school, which was voted by Town Meeting in 2023.

To view the individual rate schedules, read more.

Any questions regarding these adjustments should be directed to Laura Scott, Power Supply and Rates Administrator, 978-318-3102. 

Click here for a detailed explanation of a residential electric bill or go to the CMLP Understanding Your Electric Bill web page.

Yes, we do. For eligibility requirements, please call CMLP Customer Service at 978-318-3101, or read more at https://concordma.gov/898/Assistance-Programs. 

The meter charge covers administrative costs such as - Calculating and printing the bill - Part of the cost of the meter and the service wires connected to your home - Postage - Reading the meter

Electricity is sold in units called kilowatt-hours, with each kilowatt being equal to 1000 watts. When one kilowatt (kW) is used for an hour, the energy used is called one kilowatt-hour (kWh). For example, ten 100-watt light bulbs running for one hour equals one kWh.

You have several options for paying your bill:

- Paying at CMLP, which is located at 1175 Elm Street. 

- For payments after business hours, there is a slot to the right of the front door of the Concord Town House.

Only if you are paying online. CMLP does not accept credit or debit card payments at this time; however, we will be offering these payment methods with the implementation of our new billing system in the spring 2019. Customers will be able to access SmartHub, the new customer portal, to pay online, review their bills, usage history, and meter data.

Yes, CMLP offers several rebate programs: 

• Home electric vehicle charging system installation
• Electric heat weatherization
  Energy efficient heat pump and central air conditioning systems
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
• High Efficiency Lighting Program (HELP) for businesses

To learn more about our rebate programs, please visit our Energy Management Page

Please call 844-723-1287 to report a power outage or other utility emergency after hours, weekends, and holidays. The on-call crew will be dispatched.  

For Broadband support, call Broadband Help Desk 978-318-3199 24 hours a day.

You can contact Concord Utility Customer Service at 978-318-3101 or concordlight@concordma.gov for customer service and billing questions on any of your Concord utilities — whether it’s Water & Sewer, Electric or Broadband. 

The CMLP Operations Center lobby is open to the public Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

Jason Bulger is the Director of the Concord Municipal Light Plant

Jennifer Clougherty is the Customer Service Manager at the Concord Municipal Light Plant

Rhonda Buscemi, Project and Procurement Coordinator at 978-318-3196 or rbuscemi@concordma.gov

No, we don’t sell LED bulbs at CMLP. You can purchase them at hardware, home outlet stores, and other retailers. 

CMLP customers are eligible to get free LEDs installed during a home energy audit. Read more information about our free home energy audit program, 

For residential customers, we will credit your account up to $3 (or price of bulb if less than $3) for each LED bulb you purchase, up to 50 bulbs per home per year ($150 maximum per year), when you forward us a completed rebate form, sales receipt, and a proof of purchase for each bulb.

For business customers, we will credit up to $3 (or price of bulb if less than $3), up to 60 bulbs per business per year ($180 maximum per year).

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, an appointment is necessary at this time. Please call or email the Town Clerk’s Office to schedule an appointment. A couple must appear at the Town Clerk’s Office together, in person, to file a "Notice of Intention to Marry." Please allow approximately 15 minutes for completion of your application. This can be done any time during regular office hours, please note that Town Offices are currently closed to the Public and an appointment is necessary.

The Town has many office locations depending on the Department and/or Division you are looking for. Assessor- 

24 Court Lane (978)318-3070 

Beede Swim & Fitness Center- 498 Walden St. (978) 287-1000 

Building & Inspections- 141 Keyes Road (978)318-3280 

Council On Aging- 1276 Main Street (978)318-3020 

Community Services- 55 Church Street (978)318-3034 

Finance- 22 Monument Sq (978)318-3090 

Fire Department- 209 Walden Street (978)318-3488 

Health Department- 141 Keyes Road (978)318-3275 

Housing Development Corporation- 37 Knox Trail (978)318-3299 

Human Resources- 55 Church St.  978-318-3028

Information Technology- 1175 Elm Street (978)318-3171 

Main Library 129 Main Street- (978)318-3301 

Light Plant 1175 Elm Street- (978)318-3101 

Natural Resources- 141 Keyes Road (978)318-3285 

Planning- 141 Keyes Road (978)318-3290 

Police- 219 Walden Street (978) 318-3400 

Public Works- 133 Keyes Road (978)318-3206 

Recreation- 90 Stow Street (978)369-6460 

Town Clerk- 22 Monument Sq (978)318-3080 

Town Manager- 22 Monument Sq (978)318-3000 

Treasurer/Collector- 22 Monument Sq (978)318-3050 

Veteran Services- 55 Church Street (978)318-3038

You may register to vote online at your convenience or at the Town Clerk's office any time they are open. Please note that certain deadlines regarding voter eligibility may apply. You may also register to vote via mail by completing the attached form and mailing it to the Town Clerk's Office at PO Box 535 Concord, MA 01742 Mail-In Voter Registration Form

Open burning is strictly controlled according to state law. Open burning season starts on January 15 and ends on May 1. Burn permits are available beginning the first week in January on the Fire Departments website.  On the day when you wish to burn, you must call the Concord Fire Department between 9 a.m. and noon to obtain permission to burn for the day. Permits are issued 7 days a week, when atmospheric and wind conditions allow. Burning is allowed only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. All material must be completely extinguished by 4 p.m.

Obtain an abatement request form from the Assessors’ Department by calling 978-318-3070. The forms must be received by the Assessors’ Office no later than February 1 of each year. The Board of Assessors will review and respond to your abatement request within 90 days of your filing.

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New lawns and plantings should be planted in the spring or fall to avoid excessive use of irrigation during the drier summer months when water is limited. Better yet, plants native to the region could be incorporated into your landscape design to avoid supplemental irrigation all-together. New lawns and plantings which require watering beyond what is allowed under the current State of Water Conservation require a Water Use Restriction Variance. Water Use Restriction Variances are issued at the discretion of the Concord Public Works Director and can be obtained online at https://concordma.gov/1798/Water-Use-Restriction-Variance. Water Use Restriction Variances will not be issued during a Lawn Watering Ban in order to encourage residents to plant new lawns in the spring when water is more plentiful.

Water service lines are the small pipes that carry water from the Town’s water main in the street into homes/buildings.

The composition of water service lines are generally related to the age of the service.  Prior to the mid 1930’s, typical residential water service lines were made of lead or galvanized iron pipe.  In the mid 1930’s, the industry began changing over to using copper service lines.  Beginning in the 1990’s, the industry began to use plastic or high density polyethylene.   

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems. Because lead may pose serious health risks, both the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that “there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood”.

Contact your health care provider or your local health department to find out if your child needs to be tested for lead. A blood lead level test is the only way to know if your child is being exposed to lead. For more information on Massachusetts’ childhood lead testing program, contact the Department of Public Health (DPH) at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention-program or at 1-800-532-9571. 

If you have health concerns, please contact your health care provider with any questions.

Service line material information is based upon historical permit or service installation records, water main installation/replacement records, meter records, and/or misc. maintenance, repair and replacement work. If existing records are incomplete or unclear, a visible inspection of the water service entering your home can provide valuable information.  As the effort to investigate this information can take appreciable time, Concord staff have already begun While much effort Division staff have begun to investigate this. If this information is inconclusive, it may be necessary to expose the service line using conventional excavation/digging equipment.

While Concord has many records dating back to the late 1800’s and we have been reviewing and cataloging historic water service records since 2017, some data gaps remain.

We have been tackling the inventory in three main groups based on the approximate year built in the Concord Assessors Database.

1. Pre 1940 – Concord has no record of lead water service installation after 1932. To be conservative we used a cutoff date of 1940.
2. 1941-1986 – In 1986, Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act to ban the use of lead in plumbing, solder, and flux in public water systems and in plumbing that provides water for human consumption.  Because there is no written documentation that Concord instituted a lead ban/moratorium, we have to consider any water services of unknown material installed prior to the end of 1986 to potentially be lead.
3. Post 1986 – If you home was built after 1986, we can confidently say that your water service material is either Copper or High-Density Polyethylene (Blue Plastic).

The information provided in the Water Service Line Inventory is based on the best available data that Concord Water has at this time. If the material type listed is “Unknown,” that means we have no records of a material type for your service line or there are conflicting records.

The information contained in the Water Service Line Inventory is based on the best available data that Concord Water has in its possession. If the material type is listed as “Non-Lead”, Concord Water has records indicating that the water service line material is Copper, Plastic (high density polyethylene - HDPE), Cement Lined Iron, Ductile Iron, or water service lines of unknown material installed after the 1986 lead ban.

Although your service line may not be made of lead, you can still be exposed to lead in the water through internal plumbing fixtures. To reduce the potential for lead exposure from tap water, you should run your faucet for at least 30 seconds or until it gets cold. Once the water is cold, run it for an additional 15 seconds.

Galvanized Steel or Iron Pipes Galvanized steel pipes are a dull gray color. They are hard to scratch, and underneath the color of the pipe will remain dull gray. A magnet will stick to galvanized steel, and tapping a steel pipe with a coin will produce a metallic ringing noise. Steel pipes also typically have threaded fittings. Steel pipes on their own are not a source of lead in drinking water (unless they have been lined with lead); however, steel pipes in older homes may pose a serious risk if they have been connected to lead plumbing at any point. Galvanized steel pipes can trap lead on their inside surface and periodically release those bits of lead, even after lead plumbing is removed.

In Concord water service lines are considered private infrastructure and the customer is responsible for maintaining the entire service line from the water main to the water meter. Article 2. Section 5 of the Town of Concord, Rules and Regulations Governing Water Connections and Use (Oct. 2002).

Notices regarding water service line materials are only sent out to customers whose water service falls into the below category:

1. Unknown – Could possibly contain lead
2. Galvanized – Requiring Replacement
3. Lead – Requiring Replacement

Yes. Lead from solder, fixtures, and pipes found in the plumbing of some buildings or homes can be released into water, so it may be possible that your home’s drinking water contains lead. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to test the water. Just give us a call at (978) 318-3250 and we will walk you through all the details on sample collection, trusted labs and available programs.

You can use any Massachusetts Certified Drinking Water Laboratory. The Town of Concord recommends you use a certified lab that processes water samples from both private (homeowners/commercial) and municipal customers as we have found some that take only private customers provide misleading information and upsell testing.

If you know lead is present in your drinking water (from a water test), if you have pipes or plumbing fixtures that contain lead, or if you don’t know the material type, you can take steps to minimize potential lead exposure until all sources of lead have been removed.

• Use only cold water for drinking and cooking - Before drinking, flush the water system by running the tap until the water is cold to the touch, especially if you have not used the water for a few hours. The longer water remains standing in a lead pipe, the greater the chance lead can leach into the water.
• Flush the pipes - Let the water run to bring in fresh water that has not been standing in the pipes. Flushing times can vary based on the internal plumbing configuration. Once fresh water has been obtained, bottle it and stick it in your refrigerator for ready use later on. 
• Put a bottle of water in the refrigerator at night for later use.
• Regularly clean your faucet aerator - Particles containing lead from solder or household plumbing can become trapped in your faucet aerator. Regularly cleaning aerators every few months will remove these particles and reduce your exposure to lead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbJGwQIWhBM
• Replace faucets and fixtures containing lead (manufactured prior to 2014).
• Replace your private lead water service.

Most faucets purchased prior to 1997 were constructed of brass or chrome-plated brass, which contain up to 8 percent lead (the main metals in brass are copper and zinc). Water sitting for several hours or overnight in a brass faucet can leach lead from the brass faucet interior which may produce high lead levels in the first draw of drinking water. Later regulations mandated that most faucets purchased after 1997 contain less lead than previously used thereby reducing the possible leaching of lead; however, the most recent legislation, called “Get the Lead Out,” mandates that after January 4, 2014 all faucets purchased will contain no more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead in relation to wetted surface.

Responding to recent regulations, faucet manufacturers have decreased or eliminated the lead in residential kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, bar faucets, drinking fountains, and icemakers. Starting January 4, 2014, all faucets will be produced with no more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead with respect to the wetted surface. The national standard for certifying plumbing fixtures "lead free" status is determined by the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) - the standard is International Standard 61-Section 9. New faucets meeting the NSF 61 standard will have NSF 61/9 stamped on the new faucet’s cardboard box. For more information on lead-free fixtures including catalogs and website directories, contact NSF at 1-800-NSF-MARK or www.nsf.org.

Some faucet manufactures produce plastic faucets that have virtually zero lead. Other manufactures are substituting other metals for the lead in the brass, inserting copper tubes inside the brass faucets, or applying special coatings on the inside of the faucets in order to minimize or eliminate lead leaching. With the recent legislation, more and more faucet manufacturers are advertising faucets that adhere to the new “lead-free” definition which allows a maximum of 0.25 percent lead.

In extreme cases, older faucets can contribute up to one-third of the lead in water that has been sitting in the pipes for several hours, with the remainder coming from other plumbing such as pre-1988 lead solder joints in copper pipes or a lead service line. Residents who let the water run at the tap in the morning for one minute and use cold water for cooking should have little concern with respect to lead in the drinking water. If residents are still concerned, they can have their water tested.

Federal and State lead regulations do not cover any pipes, pipe fittings, plumbing fittings, or fixtures, that are used exclusively for nonpotable services like manufacturing, industrial processing, irrigation, outdoor watering (hoses), or other uses where the water is not anticipated to be used for human consumption. This includes toilets, bidets, urinals, fill valves, flushometer valves, tub fillers, shower valves, service saddles, or water distribution main gate valves that are two inches in diameter or larger.

Since the year 2014, all kitchen faucets sold in Massachusetts have been ultra-low lead and when any water fixtures and fittings intended to convey drinking water are replaced, they must be replaced with ultra-low lead products (containing no more than 0.25% lead). Be sure that only valves and filters intended for drinking water supply are used in any home plumbing project where you may be consuming the water.

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) advises that filters certified as NSF-053 effectively reduce lead in water. The NSF certification logo should be visible on the packaging. These filters can remove up to 99 percent of the lead.

For additional information please visit the webpage below for the USEPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water

https://www.epa.gov/water-research/consumer-tool-identifying-point-use-and-pitcher-filters-certified-reduce-lead

Note: EPA changes weblink addresses frequently – if this link is broken please email us and search for “Consumer Tool for Identifying Point-of-Use and Pitcher Filters Certified to Reduce Lead in Drinking Water”

Yes, just give us a call at 978-318-3250. Concord Water is willing to share any information we have regarding this service. If you are leaving a message, please make sure to leave your name, number and the location of interest so we can respond (and log the inquiry) accordingly. 

Lead is not present in measurable quantities at the Town’s source of supplies.  Lead that is detected is introduced into your tap water through corrosion of lead service lines or building plumbing materials.  In Concord prior to the 1930’s, lead was used for exterior plumbing connections and can be found in older buildings. If the service line at your property is made of lead, you are encouraged to replace it or take steps to reduce the risk from lead in drinking water.  There is also proposed Massachusetts legislation to require the disclosure of lead in water pipes to prospective purchasers of premises.   

Yes. Bathing and showering should be safe for you and your children, even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level. Human skin does not absorb lead in water.

The Water Department currently samples sites throughout Town for both lead and copper.  Please visit https://www.concordma.gov/1859/Lead-and-Copper-Rule for the most recent test results.

Read Concord’s Water's most recent annual water quality report at https://concordma.gov/wqreport, which provides an general overview of drinking water quality in Concord, from the source to your tap.

Heat naturally moves from warmer places to cooler places. Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from cooler places to warmer places, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. Your refrigerator is a heat pump, moving heat from inside the refrigerated cabinet into your kitchen. An air conditioner is a heat pump, moving heat from inside your home to the hot outside summer air.

Heat pumps are also used to heat homes and businesses. While air-source heat pumps extract heat from the outdoor air, a ground-source heat pump (GSHP) takes advantage of the fact that a few feet below the earth's surface the ground remains at a relatively constant temperature. Depending on latitude, ground temperatures range from 45°F to 75°F. Like a cave, this ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer.  This leads to the exceptionally high efficiency of GSHPs.

GSHP systems consist of three parts: the ground-loop heat exchanger, the heat pump unit, and the air or water (hydronic) delivery system (ductwork or piping throughout a home or building). The ground-loop heat exchanger is a system of tubes called a loop, which is buried in the ground near the building. A fluid (usually a mixture of water and environmentally friendly antifreeze) circulates through the tubing to absorb or relinquish heat within the ground.

In the winter, the heat pump unit extracts heat from the heat exchanger and pumps it into the indoor air or hot water delivery system, moving heat from the ground to the building's interior. In the summer, the process is reversed, and the heat pump moves heat from the indoor air into the heat exchanger, effectively moving the heat from indoors into the ground.

There are different types of GSHPs, based on variations in the ground loop and indoor unit configuration.

Ground-loop heat exchanger. The ground loop is the heat exchange surface for your heat pump. A home will typically need several hundred to thousand feet of piping in the ground loop to provide enough heat in the coldest part of the year. Ground loops are divided into “closed” and “open” loops:

1. Closed- loop systems use a continuous loop of buried piping, typically made out of high density polyethylene. A closed-loop system will circulate a mixture of water and antifreeze that is not directly exposed to the environment. In New England, most closed-loop systems are installed in vertical configurations, in which the ground loop is run through multiple boreholes that are drilled several hundred feet deep (see below). 

Some closed-loop systems are installed in horizontal configurations, in which the ground loop is run through multiple trenches approximately 5 ft. deep and around 300-400 feet long (see below).

2. Open-loop systems can be used where there is a source of groundwater available on the property from a well. Instead of circulating an antifreeze mixture, an open-loop system pumps groundwater into the indoor unit for heat extraction before returning the water to the ground. Open-loop systems are typically cheaper to install and more efficient (due to the more consistent year-round temperature of groundwater), though they require a readily-available source of clean groundwater and may require additional permitting or environmental review.

The configuration of the indoor unit will also vary depending on whether you use ductwork (forced air) or a water (hydronic) distribution system:

• A water-to-air system connects your indoor heat pump to a central air handler and uses your home’s existing ductwork to distribute heating and cooling throughout the home. Some modifications to your ductwork may be necessary to make it suitable for a ground-source heat pump.
•  A water-to-water system connects your heat pump to your existing hydronic distribution system to provide heating. One or more air handlers (and perhaps some ductwork) is necessary to provide air conditioning.

There are numerous benefits to using GSHPs:

• Highest energy savings potential. GSHPs are the most efficient heating and cooling system available - even more efficient than air-source heat pumps. If you heat with oil, propane, or electric-resistance heat, you could save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year on your heating bill by installing a ground-source heat pump. No need to pay thousands of dollars just to get a gas connection to your home: a cleaner, more efficient alternative is already available.
• Greatly reduce your carbon footprint. As the most efficient clean heating & cooling technology available, GSHPs will greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Using solar PV or other renewable electricity sources can further offset emissions from the electricity powering your heat pump. If you’re looking for the most environmentally-friendly heating and cooling system, look no further.
• A clean, whole-home solution. Ground-source systems can offer a clean whole-home heating and cooling solution without requiring backup heating. Eliminate fossil fuel combustion and associated risks from your home entirely. Ground-source can also heat 40-50% of your home’s domestic hot water at no additional operating cost with an add-on.
• No exposed outdoor components. Unlike central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps, GSHPs have no visible outdoor components, for a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
• Remote monitoring. GSHPs often come with remote monitoring systems. These allow the installer to receive alerts, diagnose problems and verify performance, only needing to come out to your home when hands-on maintenance is required.

While GSHPs can be a great fit for many homes and businesses, there are some potential drawbacks:

• High upfront costs. GSHPs are very expensive to install, with most residential systems in Concord costing at least $31,000 after incentives. It can be a number of years before energy savings pay back the difference compared to traditional fossil fuel or central AC systems.
• Landscaping considerations. GSHP systems require drilling or excavation in your yard or lot. Vertical-loop systems require less disruption to your property, though there will still be disturbance associated with the drilling process and moving drilling equipment around. Ask installers about options for minimizing disruptions and restoring landscaping after installation.
• Installation time. As system design and drilling/excavation is required, the ground-source installation process will typically take 2-3 months to complete from when you sign a contract. A GSHP system may not be well-suited for an emergency replacement.
• Ductwork installation or modification may be required. GSHPs can offer both heating and cooling, but may require modifications to existing ductwork, which may be impractical in some situations. While GSHPs can work with hydronic (hot water) distribution systems, they are not compatible with steam heating systems. Ductwork and/or air-handling units are required for your ground-source system to provide air conditioning.

GSHP retrofits can work in most homes. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions below, a ground-source heat pump may be a good fit for you:

• Do you heat with oil, propane or electric resistance?
• Do you want whole-home central air conditioning and heating in one system?
• Are you concerned about the aesthetics of air-source heat pumps?
• Do you want the most efficient, environmentally-friendly system available?
• Is your boiler/furnace or central AC system 15+ years old?

Ground-source heat pumps are considered to be clean heating and cooling systems because they do not create heat, but rather they move existing heat from the ground into your building. This process is powered by electricity, which one can purchase or generate from carbon-free sources like solar, wind, or hydro. Electricity supplied by the Concord Municipal Light Plant was 54% carbon-free in 2018. That percentage will be even higher in 2019!

Yes. Ground-source systems can be installed with desuperheaters that can provide you with about half of a typical home’s annual hot-water needs. A ground-source heat pump operating in cooling mode will typically store unwanted heat in the ground. A desuperheater will use that waste heat to pre-heat your hot water before it enters your hot water tank. A desuperheater add-on will cost around $1,800 but will cost virtually nothing extra to operate.

Ground-source systems require relatively little maintenance. The ground loop is designed to last for up to 50 years or more, and no other components are exposed to the elements. Periodic checkups and filter changes are the most common maintenance requirements. Some adjustments to the system’s performance can be done remotely if a monitoring system is installed, without your GSHP contractor needing to come out to your home or business.

The ground loop piping is designed to last for up to 50 years or more. The indoor heat-pump unit has a life expectancy of around 20 years, similar to conventional heating and cooling systems. Some pumps, controls, or other components may require replacement sooner than the indoor unit.

A ground-source installation will typically take 2-3 months to complete from when you sign a contract. This includes:

• Rebate pre-approval (1-3 weeks). Your installer will submit your application to the Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) for rebate pre-approval prior to commencing work.
• Equipment ordering (1-2 weeks). Once the rebate is approved, your installer will order the equipment for your home.
• Drilling/excavation, installation, and commissioning (4-5 weeks). Over this period of time, your installer will drill/excavate and install your system. After the installation is complete, the installer will commission your system and educate you on how to use your new ground-source system.
• Inspections (~2 weeks). This will depend on when tradespeople schedule the inspections and when inspectors are available to come out to your home.

While horizontal ground-loop installations require more space, a vertical ground-loop system may require as little space as your driveway.  A qualified installer will generally offer to assess your lot at no charge.

The cost of a GSHP system will range due to the customization needed for your home. For Concord homes, most ground-source systems installed have ranged from $31,000 to $36,000 after all rebates, state incentives and federal tax credits.

See our Guide to Heat Pump Incentives for a complete list of state and federal incentives available for GSHP installations.

The Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) offers rebates of $625 per heating ton, up to $3,125, to its residential and small business customers in Concord when they install a GSHP that meets the program criteria. Residential GSHP installations in Concord are averaging 4 tons of heating capacity. Learn more here.  

Note: CMLP customers are not eligible for Massachusetts Clean Energy Center or Mass Save rebates.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center maintains a list of ground-source heat pump installers that participated in their former ground-source heat pump rebate program, which was available to electricity customers in communities served by Eversource and National Grid. CMLP customers are free to use installers that have participated in the MassCEC program.

The International Ground-Source Heat Pump Association and the New England Geothermal Professional Association maintain directories of GSHP professionals, including installers.

We suggest soliciting proposals from at least three ground-source heat-pump installers.

Keep in mind that for any type of home heating or cooling system to work well, it must be selected, sized, and installed properly.  The low-cost installer may not be your best option.

Consider asking the following questions:

Equipment

Will you determine my building’s heating and cooling design loads using ACCA Manual J for residential or Manual N for commercial, and size the equipment accordingly?

Qualifications and Experience

Can you provide documentation that you hold one of the following credentials?

• International Ground-Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA) Accreditation;
• Certification as a GeoExchange Designer (CGD) from IGSHPA; or
• Professional Engineer (“PE”) License from the National Society of Professional Engineers

Can you provide references from previous customers with similar systems in my area?

Rebate

Are you familiar with the application process for CMLP’s ground-source heat pump rebate and are you willing to complete the process for me?

Installation Process

• When would you be able to perform the installation and how long will it take to complete?
• Will you hire subcontractors to complete portions of the project? If so, what firms and what will they do?
• How much advance notice will we receive before contractors arrive to do work?
• Will you provide training for me on how to properly operate and maintain the system?
• What warranty do you provide for the systems you install?

Contact Jan Aceti, the Concord Municipal Light Plant’s Energy Conservation Coordinator, at jaceti@concordma.gov or 978-318-3151.

CMLP Rebates

* Tons are calculated based on AHRI cooling capacity divided by 12,000 BTUs.

**Heat pumps must be new and capable of being the sole source of heating for the residence. The definition of "sole source" can be found in the "Additional Requirements for Whole Home Heat Pump Projects" section, and includes sizing parameters and some restrictions on the use of supplemental and emergency heat. Whole-home heat pump verification form must be signed and submitted with rebate application. 

Rebate Application Deadline:

CMLP's 90-day rebate application window begins on the later of the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection approval date or sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs). Projects for which CMLP does not receive a rebate application within the 90-day window are not eligible for a rebate.

Rebate Caps:

Rebate not to exceed project cost.

A customer is eligible for the following maximum rebate per service address per calendar year for equipment installed in that calendar year. A service address is the physical address at which electricity is provided. The equipment installation date is the later of the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection approval date or sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs).

- $10,000 in air source heat pump or air-to-water heat pump rebates or

- $15,000 in ground source heat pump rebates or

- $15,000 in rebates if a combination of air source and ground source heat pumps are installed

If a property is sold, the new account holder’s cap resets at $10,000 (ASHP or AWHP) or $15,000 (GSHP) per service address per calendar year, regardless of rebates awarded to previous account holders.

Rebate cannot be combined with a National Grid/Mass Save rebate for the same equipment.

Rebate Eligibility for Multi-Unit Properties

Multi-unit properties include:

• residential condominium complexes
• single family homes with informal apartments
• 2 or 3 family homes
• Multiple houses on one parcel
• Properties with outbuildings, where heat pump is to be installed in the outbuilding
• Apartment buildings with 4 or more units
• Transient or non-transient group quarters

 The way in which CMLP applies its heat pump rebate policy to different types of multi-unit properties is based upon:

• Property type classification codes known as “Use Codes,” that are displayed in the “Land Use” section of each property record in the Concord Assessor’s database. 
• Electric service addresses in CMLP’s billing system. 

 Click here to see how CMLP’s heat pump rebate policies apply to each of the multi-unit property types listed above.  

Rebate Eligibility for New Construction

See the next section: "Eligibility Criteria for All Heat Pump Projects," for information on rebate eligibility for new construction.

Rebate Eligibility for Ground Source Heat Pumps that Share a Geothermal Well

A ground source heat pump sharing a geothermal well with another ground source heat pump serving a different building is not eligible for a rebate from CMLP.

State Incentives

• New England Heat Pump Accelerator Pass-Through Incentives
  • Concord residents in existing single family or two- to four-unit homes are eligible for pass-though incentives offered by the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, if your heat pump installer provides your name, address, phone number and email to a participating distributor upon purchase of the heat pump equipment for your home.  The incentive is $650 per outdoor condenser, up to 2 condensers per address. The distributor discounts the sale price by the amount of the incentive, and the installer passes the incentive through to you as a credit on your invoice. 
  • Look for the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Pass-Through Incentive on quotes you receive from potential installers, and on the invoice you receive from the installer you select. If you don't see the incentive line item, ask the installer about it.  Learn more about the incentive here. You are eligible for this incentive in addition to CMLP's heat pump rebate. 
  • Households that switch from natural gas heating to heat pump heating are eligible for Mass Save's heat pump rebate (but not CMLP's rebate) and the New England Heat Pump Accelerator Pass-Through Incentive. 
  • The incentive is currently available for air-source heat pumps, and should also become available for ground-source heat pumps in June 2026.
• Massachusetts Alternative Energy Credits (AECs)
  • For whole home heat pumps (where the home is heated exclusively with heat pumps). AECs are bought and sold, so their price fluctuates. The state suggests finding a broker who can procure and sell your credits for a fee. Click here for more information on AECs and brokers.  

Applicable Building Stock

CMLP’s heat pump rebates are available for heat pumps installed in existing buildings, and/or newly constructed additions to existing buildings. They are not available for heat pumps installed before the date a Permanent Certificate of Occupancy was issued for a newly constructed home or before the date a building inspection approval was issued for a newly constructed outbuilding.

Equipment must be used to supplement or replace oil, propane, or electric baseboard (resistance) heating systems or pre-existing heat pumps that functioned as the existing primary heating system. Households whose primary heating fuel is/was natural gas are not eligible for CMLP’s heat pump rebates, but may apply for similar rebates through Mass Save. 

Home Energy Assessment Requirement

If a home was built before 2008, a no-cost home energy assessment within the last three years or scheduled within six months after project completion is required. Outbuildings listed in the “Outbuildings” section of the property record in the Town of Concord’s online assessment database are exempt from the home energy assessment requirement. A completed Energy Saver Home Loan Program decarbonization plan is an acceptable substitute for a completed home energy assessment. If a home in which a heat pump is being installed is also being renovated such that the structure is intact, but some or all wall studs are exposed, the following requirements apply:

• When a HERS rating is required by building code for the home being renovated, a final HERS rating report substitutes for a home energy assessment.
• If the building code does not call for a HERS rating for the home being renovated, a home energy assessment is required.

Completed Home Energy Assessment: If you believe you had an assessment in the last three years through CMLP, but do not know the date, contact Energy New England, CMLP’s assessment provider, at 1-888-772-4242 or hea@ene.org for assistance.

Scheduling a No-Cost Home Energy Assessment: Visit our Home Energy Assessments webpage for instructions on scheduling an assessment.

Decarbonization Plan: Households participating in the Energy Saver Home Loan Program receive a decarbonization plan subsequent to an assessment of their home by an Energy Service Provider. The decarbonization plan can be uploaded with the heat pump rebate application to fulfill the home energy assessment requirement. 

Final HERS Rating Report: When a final HERS rating report substitutes for a home energy assessment, enter the date of the final HERS rating report in the heat pump rebate application.

CMLP strongly recommends that priority weatherization recommendations from the home energy assessment or decarbonization plan be implemented before, or in coordination with, the installation of the heat pump. A tight, well-insulated home optimizes heat pump performance, and may allow for a smaller heat pump to be installed, saving you money upfront and on your monthly utility bills. CMLP’s weatherization rebates help you increase your home’s efficiency and prepare for a new heating system.

Optional Project Pre-Approval 

Homeowners and contractors who wish to verify rebate eligibility prior to system installation may opt into submitting an optional rebate pre-approval form. CMLP strongly suggests taking advantage of this opportunity to verify a project's rebate eligibility, preferably before a contract is signed, and especially if the customer is expecting a whole home heat pump rebate. Contractors can submit the optional pre-approval form online with details on the proposed equipment at the links below for air-source or for ground-source heat pump projects. CMLP will review the project to verify whether it qualifies for CMLP's rebates, and whether a whole home or a partial home heat pump rebate applies. Both the customer and contractor will receive an email confirmation once pre-approved. If equipment changes from pre-approval to installation, CMLP cannot guarantee rebate eligibility. 

Town Building Department Permit and Inspection Requirements

The project electrician must apply for a Town electrical permit before work begins and schedule an electrical inspection after the work is done. CMLP will not award rebates until projects have passed an electrical inspection by Concord's Building Department. 

If the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs, a sheet metal permit must be obtained for the project. Examples of projects that require a sheet metal permit include installation of new ducting or replacement, significant repairs or changes to existing ducting. The Town of Concord's inspector must have inspected and approved the sheet metal work. 

CMLP will verify that the project has passed the necessary inspections. Find out more details about permits and inspections in the Quality Assurance section on this page. The Building Department's contact information and hours are here. 

Town of Concord Board of Health Drilling Permits

Ground-source heat pump installers must apply for a drilling permit from the Town of Concord Board of Health before drilling begins. The permit application allows the Board of Health to verify that the wells are set back an appropriate distance from existing sewer and water lines. Permits can be requested via the Town's online permitting system. Contact information and hours for the Board of Health are here. CMLP will verify the date on which the drilling permit is issued.

Do-It-Yourself Heat Pump Installations

Do-it-yourself (DIY) heat pump installations are eligible for rebates under the following conditions:

-- A licensed electrician obtains an electrical permit and does the wiring. The installation must pass a Concord Building Department electrical inspection.

-- If the project involves sheet metal work beyond minor repairs, a tradesperson qualified to obtain a sheet metal permit must do so. The sheet metal work must pass a Concord Building Department inspection.

-- When applicable, refrigerant lines must be charged, sealed, and tested by a licensed professional to adhere to EPA regulations (some self-install systems are pre-charged and pre-sealed). If an existing HVAC system is being decommissioned, existing refrigerant must be properly recaptured.

-- The rebate cannot exceed the cost of the project, which is documented by invoices and/or receipts. Therefore DIY labor does not count towards the cost of the project.

Rebate Application Deadline:

CMLP's 90-day rebate application window begins on the later of the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection approval date or sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs). Projects for which CMLP does not receive a rebate application within the 90-day window are not eligible for a rebate.

CMLP highly recommends submission of the Optional Pre-Approval Form to confirm whole home rebate eligibility before an installation contract is signed. See the "Eligibility Criteria for All Heat Pump Projects" section above for links to pre-approval forms for air-source heat pump projects and for ground-source heat pumps projects.

In addition to the requirements for all heat pump projects, the following are requirements for CMLP's whole home heat pump rebate: 

- Heat pumps must be new and sized to be capable of being the sole source of heating in the home, defined as the living area in the Town of Concord's online property assessment database. A Manual J calculation of the total heat load at an 8°F outdoor design temperature, per ASHRAE 2021 Design Conditions, is required. Heat pump must be sized to meet 90 - 120% of the total heat load. Each condenser must be able to heat its zone down to 8°F. The heating capacity of air-source heat pumps at an 8°F outdoor design temperature is calculated based on a linear estimate using the M1 heating capacity ratings at 17°F and 5°F in the AHRI Directory of Certified Product Performance. The heating capacity of ground-source heat pumps is based on a software design report provided by the installer, showing the system's heating capacity at the incoming water temperature. 

- CMLP reserves the right to issue rebates for heat pumps sized to meet more than 120% of the total heating load, at its discretion. 

- Homes may use supplemental electric heat (electric resistance units/baseboards, existing heat pumps and/or ETS) if the new heat pump system is sized to meet 90% - 120% of the home's total heat load. Auxiliary electric resistance strips built into the heat pump itself or non-electric systems are allowed for emergency heat (see below) but not supplemental heat. If a heat pump project utilizes supplemental electric heat in rooms other than bathrooms, the project is eligible for a whole home rebate only if the supplemental electric heat meets no more than 10% of the home's total heat load and the new heat pump is sized to meet 90% - 120% of the home's total heat load. 

- Homes may maintain emergency heating capacity from: 

• electricity (electric resistance strips within the heat pump(s), electric resistance units/baseboards or ETS equipment)
• existing or new wood/pellet stoves, boilers or furnaces 
• existing or new fossil fuel (fuel oil or propane) boilers or furnaces 

An emergency is:

• heat pump maintenance/repair downtime or
• the heat pump is not able to heat the home during an extreme weather event. 

- Homes may use a pre-existing or new fossil fuel heating system for domestic hot water.

- A customer and their installer must sign the Whole Home Verification Form and submit it with the heat pump rebate application.

- The installer must submit a Manual J heat load calculation to CMLP with the optional pre-approval form that is in the "Eligibility Criteria for All Heat Pump Projects" section, or with the heat pump rebate application in the "How to Apply" section, if rebate pre-approval was not requested.   

- Because the heat pump system for which the rebate is being sought must be sized to be capable of being the sole source of heat in the home: 

- a customer installing more heat pumps to supplement existing heat pumps is eligible for a partial home heat pump rebate, not a whole home heat pump rebate, if the new heat pumps are sized to meet less than 90% of the heating load.  If a heat pump project utilizes supplemental electric heat in rooms other than bathrooms, the project is eligible for a whole home rebate only if the supplemental electric heat meets no more than 10% of the home's total heat load and the new heat pump is sized to meet 90% - 120% of the home's total heat load. 

- a heat pump sized for whole home AC but inadequate for whole home heating is eligible for a partial home heat pump rebate but not for a whole home heat pump rebate. 

- A customer installing a new heat pump system to replace existing heat pumps is eligible for a whole home heat pump rebate if the new heat pump system is sized to be capable of being the sole source of heating in the home, as defined above. 

Whole Home Rebate Eligibility for Multi-Unit Properties

Multi-unit properties include:

• residential condominium complexes
• single family homes with informal apartments
• 2 or 3 family homes
• Multiple houses on one parcel
• Properties with outbuildings, where heat pump is to be installed in the outbuilding
• Apartment buildings with 4 or more units
• Transient or non-transient group quarters

 The way in which CMLP applies its whole home heat pump rebate policy to different types of multi-unit properties is based upon:

• Property type classification codes known as “Use Codes,” that are displayed in the “Land Use” section of each property record in the Concord Assessor’s database. 
• Electric service addresses in CMLP’s billing system. 

 Click here to see how CMLP’s whole home heat pump rebate policies apply to each of the multi-unit property types listed above.  

In addition to the requirements for all heat pump projects:

- new heat pumps sized to meet less than 90% of the total home heating load at an 8F outdoor design temperature, per ASHRAE 2021 Design Conditions, are eligible for partial home heat pump rebates if they are supplementing or replacing oil, propane, electric resistance, ETS or existing heat pumps, or if they are replacing natural gas as a secondary source of heating. 

-  integrated controls must be installed in homes with oil or propane backup to qualify for rebates on partial-home air-source or air-to-water heat pumps. 

- Integrated controls are not required if the backup heating system is heat pumps, electric resistance or ETS. 

- Integrated controls are not required if the heat pump meets 100% of the heating needs for a distinct zone in a home, meaning that there is no other heating equipment serving that zone with which to integrate the heat pump.

- Integrated controls are not required for partial-home ground-source heat pumps. 

- integrated controls must be set at or below these maximum switchover temperatures:

- A heat pump sized for whole home AC, but inadequate for whole home heating is eligible for a partial-home heat pump rebate. Integrated controls are required for air-source or air-to-water heat pumps, when the primary heating system uses fossil fuels. Installers must design the system to be able to meet the home's heating needs at the defined maximum switch-over temperature above, so that the new heat pump system is heating-ready.

Before beginning your rebate application:

• know the date of the Concord Building Department's:
  • electrical inspection approval
  • sheet metal inspection approval, if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs.
• Know the Concord Board of Health drilling permit issue date if the system is a ground-source heat pump.

(Payment of rebates is contingent upon verification by CMLP that Town records show the appropriate inspection approvals and drilling permits for the project. Find out more about permits and inspections in the Quality Assurance section on this page. The Building Department's contact information and hours are here. The Board of Health's contact information and hours are here.)

• If your home was built before 2008, know the date of your completed or scheduled home energy assessment or the date of your final HERS rating report, if applicable, or have an electronic copy of your Energy Saver Home Loan Program decarbonization plan ready to upload. 

• Have electronic copies of the following documents ready to upload: 

- invoice from a heat pump installer showing:

- installation address

- installer company name

- outdoor and indoor equipment model numbers

- integrated control model numbers, if applicable.

- If the heat pump is sized to be the sole source of heating in the residence: 

- Manual J heat load calculation, if the project was not pre-approved for a rebate.

 - Whole Home Verification Form signed by you and your installer. The whole-home heat pump verification form is not required for partial home rebate applications. 

- for ground source heat pumps, a software design report showing the system's heating capacity at the incoming water temperature. 

Rebate Application: Access the rebate application at the button below, and complete it with assistance from your installer or CMLP staff person Jan Aceti  (jaceti@concordma.gov or 978-318-3151). If you are working with a heating/cooling coach, they may be able to help you as well. 

CMLP's 90-day rebate application window begins on the later of the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection approval date or sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs). Projects for which CMLP does not receive a rebate application within the 90-day window are not eligible for a rebate.

If an application received by CMLP is incomplete or has not met all of the rebate requirements, CMLP may reach out once to the installer and to the customer by both phone and email. If outstanding issues are not resolved within 30 days of the communication, the project will no longer be eligible for a rebate.  

CMLP's liability is limited to paying the rebate for which the project is eligible. CMLP is not liable for any consequential or incidental damages or for any damages in tort connected with or resulting from participation in this offer. 

The Town may inspect equipment to verify the above information up to 1 year after receiving the rebate application.

The heat pump rebate application form found in the "How to Apply" section requires the installer to provide information that will allow CMLP to evaluate the quality of the installation. The rebate application form requires Concord Building Department inspection approval dates, drilling permit date if needed, equipment and project information for rebate eligibility review, and requires the installer to confirm that installation best practices were followed. CMLP will review the completed form, follow up with the contractor regarding any deficiencies and conduct an on-site inspection if necessary. 

Town of Concord Building Department Permits and Inspections

The project's electrician must obtain a Town electrical permit and schedule an electrical inspection. CMLP will not award rebates until projects have passed electrical inspection by Concord's Building Department. If sheet metal duct work beyond minor repairs is also part of your installation, your  installer must also obtain a sheet metal permit. Contact information and hours for the Building Department are here. 

Getting an Electrical Permit

The permit should be obtained before work begins. Concord has online permitting, so the electrician does not have to go into the Building Department office in person to obtain a permit. The electrician can upload their liability insurance certificate and license and can pay online. 

Getting an Electrical Inspection

Electrical inspections are done on weekdays and can usually be completed within 5 to 7 days of the request. The homeowner cannot schedule the inspection. The electrician schedules it by calling the Electrical Inspector at 978-318-3235 between 8am and 9am Monday through Friday with the permit number and the desired inspection date and time. Messages left for the Electrical Inspector after 9am will be returned the next morning. An adult (who does not need to be the electrician – a homeowner, family member, or builder is fine) needs to be there to let the inspector into the house. The inspector knows what to look for once he is in the house and can phone the electrician if there is a question about the project while he’s on site.

The electrical inspector notifies CMLP of all approved electrical inspections.

Sheet Metal Permits and Inspections

Sheet metal permits and inspections are required whenever duct work beyond minor repairs are part of a heat pump installation, such as installing new ducts or re-routing existing ducts. The process for getting permits follows the same process outlined above. The sheet metal contractor or the homeowner may call the Building Dept. to schedule sheet metal inspections at (978) 318-3280.

Town of Concord Board of Health Drilling Permits

Ground-source heat pump installers must apply for a drilling permit from the Town of Concord Board of Health before drilling begins. The permit application allows the Board of Health to verify that the wells are set back an appropriate distance from existing sewer and water lines. Permits can be requested via the Town's online permitting system. Contact information and hours for the Board of Health are here. 

CMLP's 90-day rebate application window begins on the later of the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection approval date or sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs). Projects for which CMLP does not receive a rebate application within the 90-day window are not eligible for a rebate.

Rebates will not be issued until projects have passed the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection. If sheet metal duct work beyond minor repairs was also part of the project, it must also have passed a sheet metal inspection.  Find out more details about permits and inspections in the Quality Assurance section on this page. Contact information and hours for the Building Department are here. Ground-source heat pump installers must apply for a drilling permit from the Town of Concord Board of Health before drilling begins. Contact information and hours for the Board of Health are here. 

All rebates of $750 or less are issued as a credit on your electric bill. If the credit is larger than your electric bill that month, the remaining credit will be applied to your Concord municipal utility bills (electric, water/sewer, and broadband) each month until the credit is used up.

Any customer in good standing may choose to receive a rebate over $750 as either a bill credit on their electric account, or as check from the Town, paid either to the customer or to the customer's heat pump installer. Indicate your preference on your rebate application. If you wish your rebate check to be paid to your installer, upload a copy of the installer's W-form in the appropriate field on teh rebate application. If you are requesting a check paid to you or to your installer, and you have been in arrears frequently in the past two years, CMLP may apply all or part of the rebate as a bill credit rather than as a check.

A rebate check will arrive via the postal mail to the payee address designated in the rebate application 6 to 8 weeks after rebate approval. 

Effective April 1, 2026, CMLP is introducing a residential Time-of-Day (TOD) electric rate. With this new rate, the price you pay for electricity is based on when you use it. On weekdays, by shifting some of your electricity use to off-peak hours— before 3 PM and after 7 PM — you can save money and reduce strain on the grid.

When heating with heat pumps, should you turn your thermostat down between 3 PM and 7 PM on weekdays to save money? Or maybe jack the thermostat up before 3 PM to pre-heat your home and then turn it way down from 3 PM to 7PM? The best approach for heat pump users is to do neither of the above.  Unlike traditional furnaces, heat pumps are designed to run steadily and efficiently rather than ramping up and down.

• Don’t Change Your Winter Heating Habits: We do not recommend adjusting your thermostat during the 3 PM – 7 PM peak window. This can actually use more electricity. When using heat pumps for cooling during the summer, raising the thermostat a few degrees between 3 PM and 7 PM may result in savings. However, that depends on specific home conditions such as insulation levels and equipment types.  
• The “Super Off-Peak” Advantage: Because heat pumps use the most electricity during cold winter nights, you will automatically benefit from the Super Off-Peak rate (1 a.m. – 5 a.m.), the lowest TOD rate that CMLP charges. Most heat pump users are expected to see savings compared to the flat rates in effect prior to April 1, 2026.
• Thermostat Programs: If you enroll in the Connected Homes thermostat program, your thermostat will not be turned up or down from 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays. Instead, you will be notified if a monthly peak event is forecast to fall outside of the 3 PM - 7 PM weekday window. Unless you opt out, your thermostat will be raised or lowered (depending on the season) by up to 3 degrees during the peak event. You will be eligible for a $5 incentive per device enrolled in any month in which a peak event is called. No more than 2 - 3 of these events are anticipated throughout a calendar year. 

Why Time-of-Day Rates?

Electricity costs more to produce and deliver when everyone is using it at once. Time-of-Day (TOD) rates reflect these real-time costs. These rates encourage customers to use electricity when demand is low, which will lead to lower long-term costs for the entire community, reduced carbon emissions by using cleaner electricity sources available during off-peak hours, and a strengthened electricity grid by preventing system overloads.

How Time-of-Day Works

Starting April 1, 2026, your rate will depend on when you use electricity. You will see these changes reflected beginning with your May 2026 bill.

See the rate breakdown (per kWh) in the table to the right:    

Flexibility Matters: We believe TOD rates are the best way to save, but we understand that every home is different. If you find this structure doesn't fit your lifestyle, an Opt-Out Rate remains available.

View rates, FAQs and learn more on our website: concordma.gov/tod

Please request a meeting with one of CMLP’s trained heating/cooling coaches if you have further questions about best practices for heating and cooling your home with heat pumps.

Contact Jan Aceti, CMLP's Energy Efficiency & Electrification Coordinator at jaceti@concordma.gov or 978-318-3151.

Energy Saver Home Loans for Qualifying Households

Massachusetts offers a low-interest loan program for financing energy saving changes to your home, the Energy Saver Home Loan Program. If your income is less than $205,335 and the changes reduce your home's energy use more than 20%, you may be eligible. Usually, whole home heat pumps show significant energy savings, as do some weatherization improvements. Learn more. 

MLP-Z Loan

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources is expected to launch the MLP-Z loan program in the first part of 2026. Through this program, Municipal Light Plant (MLP) customers who heat with fuels other than natural gas may be eligible to receive 0% financing up to $25,000 for 5 years for efficiency and electrification projects, including weatherization and heat pump installations. CMLP's customers may pre-apply for the loan via the Zero-Interest Energy Efficiency Loan Program website. Qualified applicants will be contacted to submit full applications once the program launches. 

Mass Save 0% Interest HEAT Loans

CMLP customers who heat with natural gas may be eligible for 0% financing for weatherization and heat pump installations through Mass Save's HEAT loan program. 

Home Equity Loans

Home improvements can be also financed by leveraging the equity in your home. There are different ways of doing this. The Federal Trade Commission describes the pros and cons of loans and lines of credit in this article. It also explains how to watch for disreputable service.

There are two incentive categories that make up CMLP’s rebate. The Charging Equipment Incentive helps pay for the hardware. The Installation Incentive helps pay for the labor needed to install the hardware. Each incentive type has a dollar limit. The sum of payments under the two incentives make up the total rebate amount.

The rebate amount differs based on who will be allowed to use the charging station(s.) Public charging stations are for use by the general public. Examples include commercial parking areas that may be used by restaurant or retail store customers. To be eligible for the public charging station rebate, stations must be accessible to the general public 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Private charging stations are for use by employees, residents, customers, students, or for charging fleet vehicles. Examples include charging stations at commercially owned employee parking spaces, at parking spaces for residents of multi-dwelling unit properties, or charging stations for restaurant or hotel guests or for commercial fleet vehicles. These stations may or may not be publicly accessible, according to the owner’s discretion. For example, a commercial property owner may install charging primarily for use by its commercial tenants, and also may decide that on certain days or during certain hours, the station is also accessible to the public. This can help ensure the station gets increased usage while still allowing the station owner to retain control over the accessibility of the station in a way that best serves their needs.

**Network Enabled means the charging station has the capability to connect to the Internet and/or private network and be able to transmit and receive information.

The CMLP awarded sum, combined with the MassEVIP grant, must not exceed the total eligible project costs. The CMLP award will equal the lesser of the following two amounts:

• eligible charging equipment costs up to $3,000 per public station/$2,250 per private station plus eligible installation costs up to $3,000 per public station/$2,250 per private station, or
• the total eligible project cost less the MassEVIP grant amount.

• The Commercial EV Charging Station rebate is available to: 
  • Fleets
  • Multi-dwelling unit properties with 2 or more residential units 
  • Educational campuses 
  • Workplaces with 2 or more employees 
  • Business establishments serving the public

Note that CMLP has chosen to make some eligibility criteria broader than the criteria used by the MassEVIP program, in order to serve more properties. 

• Applicants must have an active commercial electric account with CMLP or be searchable in CMLP's billing system using Search Type "Organization." If either criterion is met, single or multi-dwelling unit properties in CMLP's billing system with active residential electric accounts may be eligible for Commercial EV Charging Station Rebates at CMLP’s discretion. 
• Applicants are eligible to receive a rebate for one dual or two single port charging station(s) per service address. At its discretion, CMLP reserves the right to provide an applicant with rebates for more than one charging station (or pair of single port stations) if the applicant provides compelling evidence that more than one is needed. 
• Eligible and Non-Eligible Costs: 

• Note that if charging equipment costs and installation costs are not itemized separately on the project cost proposal and invoice, the rebate may be reduced up to 50%. 
• In order to be eligible for a rebate, you must request rebate pre-approval and receive a rebate award letter from CMLP prior to installation. See section below entitled, "How to Request Rebate Pre-Approval Before Installation."
• Rebate payment requests must be received by CMLP within 90 days of the date on which CMLP has been able to verify that the station is operational.

• Applicant will apply for all necessary permits and approvals.
• The charging station(s) will be installed on a new, separate meter. The new meter must be connected line-side to CMLP’s distribution system, meaning that the new meter cannot be sub-metered to the customer’s existing meter on the load side. Electricians wishing to consult with CMLP regarding the point of utility connection and/or meter location for the EV charging station should contact CMLP’s Engineering Division at cmlpengineering@concordma.gov or 978-318-3116.
• The electric account holder will pay CMLP for the electricity recorded on the new meter pursuant to the G-4 General Service - Electric Vehicle Charging tariff.
• The Commercial EV Charging Station Rebate Pre-Approval Request Form requires applicants to provide details about charging station user fees for non-fleet users and about availability for all users. CMLP's Commercial EV Specialists will review the details and advise on best practices. However, decisions about charging station availability and user fees are ultimately up to the station owner. 
• The station must be installed at or near dedicated parking space(s) with appropriate signage to indicate that it is for EV charging only. 
• Any electrical work needed to install a charging system must be done by a licensed electrician under an electrical permit issued by the Town and must pass inspection by the Town’s Electrical Inspector.
• Applicants who previously received a commercial charging station rebate are eligible to receive subsequent rebates for additional stations if existing charging station data show greater than 50% utilization on a 24/7 basis. Station owners are responsible for driving up usage of the station outside of business hours. For example, they may promote usage of the station to nearby multi-dwelling unit (MDU) property residents who do not have on-site charging facilities. 
• In order to be eligible for a rebate, applicants must request rebate pre-approval and receive a rebate award letter from CMLP prior to installation. See the section below entitled, “How to Request Rebate Pre-Approval Before Installation.”
• The charging station must be installed and operational within 6 months of the award letter issue date. Extensions for extenuating circumstances will be considered.

In order to be eligible for a rebate, you must request rebate pre-approval and receive an award letter from CMLP prior to installation.

Step 1:  We strongly suggest that you work with our Commercial EV Program Specialists to develop site-specific, best practice plans for charging station usage policies and fees. They can also help you develop electrical service and charging station hardware and software options that can be used in soliciting quotes from electricians.*  The EV Specialist will provide you with a 1-page recommendations report. Request a consultation with a Commercial EV Program Specialist here or by calling 833-443-8363. The EV Specialist Service is funded by CMLP, is offered at no cost to you, and provides objective advice that is technology agnostic and brand neutral.  

*Electricians wishing to consult with CMLP regarding the point of utility connection and/or meter location for the charging station should contact CMLP’s Engineering Division at cmlpengineering@concordma.gov or 978-318-3116. The electrician should provide the charging station specifications to CMLP Engineering at that time. 

Step 2: Assemble the following information and materials to be ready to complete the rebate pre-approval request. 

• an itemized project cost proposal. Note that if charging equipment costs and installation costs are not itemized separately on the proposal, the rebate amount that CMLP pre-approves for the project may be reduced by up to 50%.
• the charging station specifications
• plans for charging station user fees for non-fleet users and about availability for all users.

Step 3: Click the button below to request rebate pre-approval.

Step 4: Upon review of the pre-approval request, CMLP will either:

• issue an award letter stating the rebate amount that has been reserved for the project.
• notify the applicant of modifications that CMLP will require before pre-approving a rebate. If modifications are required, applicants have the option of adopting the changes and re-submitting a pre-approval request.

Step 5: Proceed with the charging station installation once you have received a rebate award letter from CMLP.

In order to be eligible to receive a rebate, you must have requested rebate pre-approval and received an award letter from CMLP prior to installation.

Step 1: Once the installation is complete, your electrician must schedule an inspection by the Concord Building Department’s electrical inspector. Contact information and hours for the Building Department are here. Once the installation passes inspection, CMLP will be notified by the Building Department, and will install a meter to measure the electricity used by the charging station. 

Step 2: CMLP will verify operational status by initiating or observing a charging session onsite at the station. CMLP will notify you by email of the date on which it verified that the station is operational. 

Step 3: Assemble the following information and documentation to be ready to complete the rebate payment request:

• The project number on the rebate award letter that you received from CMLP prior to installation.
• The operational status verification date emailed to you by CMLP. 
• If MassEVIP is an additional funding source for the project, the estimated MassEVIP grant amount for which the project is eligible or the actual MassEVIP award letter.  Note: Our Commercial EV Specialists can help you estimate your MassEVIP grant eligibility and apply for a MassEVIP grant from the state to supplement the charging station rebate provided by CMLP. Request a consultation with a Commercial EV Program Specialist here or by calling 833-443-8363. EV Specialist services are supported by CMLP funds and are available at no cost to you. 
• Photo(s) of the installed EV charging station(s). Photos should clearly show parking spaces (including ADA accessible EV parking space if required by MassEVIP) and EV designated signage.
• Itemized invoices and/or receipts for charging equipment and/or installation work. Note that if charging equipment costs and installation costs are not itemized separately on these documents, the rebate amount that CMLP pays for the project may be reduced by up to 50%.
• IRS W-9 form (only for CMLP commercial customers requesting a rebate of $600 or more paid in the form of a check to them or to their installer )

Step 4: Click the button below to complete the rebate payment request and upload supporting documentation. Rebate payment requests must be received by CMLP within 90 days of the date on which CMLP has been able to verify that the station is operational. 

Notes:

• Depending on actual project costs and the estimated or actual MassEVIP grant amounts received by the applicant, the CMLP rebate amount paid may differ from the CMLP pre-approved rebate amount. 
• A rebate cannot be paid until a project has passed a Concord Building Department electrical inspection. Inspection approval is subject to verification by CMLP.

• Rebates will not be issued until projects have passed the Concord Building Department's electrical inspection. Contact information and hours for the Building Department are here.
• Any rebate of $750 or less is issued as a credit on your electric bill. 
• Any customer in good standing may choose to receive a rebate over $750 as either a bill credit or as a check from the Town payable to you or to your charging station installer. Indicate your preference on your rebate payment request.
• If a customer requesting a check has been in arrears frequently in the past two years, CMLP may apply all or part of the rebate as a bill credit rather than as a check.
• A rebate check will arrive in 4 – 6 weeks after rebate payment request approval. 
• Commercial entities receiving checks ≥$600 will get a 1099 from Town for the relevant tax year, if required by tax code. 

What does it cost to install a typical commercial-grade, Network Enabled dual port Level 2 charging station?
The cost to install a charging station can vary considerably depending on a customer’s site layout and existing electrical infrastructure. Here is a sample cost, for demonstration purposes only, of installing a pedestal mounted, dual port Level 2 charging station (~7 kW x 2) with typically preferred site work, software and support:  

Itemized Estimate Example*	Net Project Cost Example
	** Rebate amounts are less than $3,000 because CMLP + MassEVIP rebates cannot exceed total eligible costs.

 *Estimate for demonstration purposes only; project costs vary from site to site

Do I apply for the MassEVIP or CMLP rebate first? 
 CMLP recommends that customers apply for CMLP’s rebate first, so that they can report the most accurate CMLP rebate amount to MassEVIP. Customers may apply for CMLP’s rebate and the MassEVIP grant simultaneously. All applicants risk a possible reduction of CMLP’s rebate amount upon reconciliation to ensure that the awarded sum, combined with the MassEVIP grant, does not exceed the total eligible project cost. 

I’m a small commercial customer who doesn’t need and can’t afford a commercial grade charging station. Can I get a rebate for installing a residential grade charging station on my commercial property?
Contact the Commercial EV Program Specialist Service here or by calling 833-443-8363 to discuss your project to see what incentives it may qualify for.

Why is the rebate lower for private charging stations versus public charging stations?
 The rebate offered is lower for private stations because the owner can exclude the public from using the station, thereby offering less overall benefit. MassEVIP provides a 60% rebate for private stations instead of 80%, which is a 25% reduction. CMLP follows suit by reducing its public charging rebate amount by 25% (i.e. the private station rebate is 75% of the public station rate.)

If my rebate is more than $750 and I prefer to receive a check from the Town rather than a credit on my electric bill, how do I request a check?
The Commercial EV Charging Rebate Payment Request Form provides an option to request a check, payable either to you or to your charging station installer. Note that the Payment Request Form requires upload of the payee company’s IRS W-9 form, and that the payee company will get a 1099 from Town for the relevant tax year if required by tax code. If a customer’s account is not in good standing, CMLP reserves the right to provide a rebate fully or partially as a bill credit rather than as a check.

How does the G-4 General Service Electric Charging Tariff compare to what I’m paying for electricity for other uses? 

The rate you pay for electricity for non-charging uses depends on whether you are a Small, Medium or Large General Service customer. The table below displays the rates for each of those categories, as well as for the General Service Electric Vehicle Charging Rate. Look for the meter charge on your electric bill if you are unsure which rate category applies to you for uses other than vehicle charging.

We are not sure what EV charging station equipment options are available that would meet our needs. Can CMLP advise us?
Yes, CMLP’s EV Specialist Team can help you evaluate your EV charging station equipment needs, installation and administrative challenges, understand product options, and understand the steps to procure equipment and installation services. The EV Specialist Team is funded by CMLP, is offered at no cost to you, and provides objective advice that is technology agnostic and brand neutral. You can reach our EV Specialists by requesting a consultation here or by calling 833-443-8363.

Whom can I contact if I have questions about the Commercial EV Charging Station Rebate Program?
Contact Jan Aceti, CMLP’s Energy Efficiency & Electrification Coordinator, at jaceti@concordma.gov or 978-318-3151.

If you currently use ETS (Electric Thermal Storage) heating, and plan to switch partially or fully to heat pump heating, you will want to choose among the following electric panel configuration/electric rate options:

• If you wish to continue using ETS heating on the ETS rate, you must ensure that the breaker for your new heat pump system is not installed in the electric panel that feeds your ETS equipment.
• You can place the heat pump breaker in your ETS electric panel and continue using your ETS heating system, but it will no longer qualify for the ETS rate. CMLP will remove the ETS switch, and update the meter serving that panel to the appropriate Time-of-Day or Opt-Out residential electricity rate, which will apply to both your ETS system and your heat pump. You must notify Customer Service (concordutilities@concordma.gov), so that the ETS switch can be removed, and the meter re-programmed to bill electricity usage at the appropriate residential rate.
• If you plan to stop using ETS heating altogether, you may repurpose the electric panel feeding your ETS equipment to supply electricity to your heat pump system instead. However, you must notify Customer Service (concordutilities@concordma.gov), so that the ETS switch can be removed and the meter reprogrammed. 

You are not required to choose one of these options in order to be eligible for a rebate. The information above is provided so that you may make an informed choice among your electric panel configuration and electric rate options. 

 *Buildings primarily heated with natural gas are not eligible for CMLP’s heat pump rebates, but may apply for similar rebates through Mass Save. 

 **Tons are calculated based on AHRI cooling capacity divided by 12,000 BTU/hr.

 ***Heat pumps that use a hydronic or water loop internal to the building (i.e. not a ground loop) as a heat source/sink are not eligible for CMLP rebates at this time. 

Rebate Cap:

• Rebate not to exceed project cost, which is documented by invoices and/or receipts. In-house labor does not count towards the cost of the project. 
• A customer is eligible for a maximum of $50,000 in heat pump rebates every 3 years. A "customer" is defined by a unique customer number in CMLP's billing system. In most cases, a customer with multiple accounts will have the same customer number assigned to them. However, if a business or property owner or manager has multiple customer numbers in CMLP's billing system, CMLP can, at its sole discretion, define them as a single customer.
• If the property is sold, the new account holder’s cap resets at $50,000 every three years, regardless of rebates awarded to previous account holders. 

Rebate cannot be combined with a National Grid/Mass Save rebate for the same equipment.

Rebate Eligibility for Multi-Unit Properties

In addition to being available for businesses of all types, CMLP's commercial heat pump rebates are available for the following types of multi-unit properties:

• Residential condominium association-owned buildings used partially or fully for non-residential purposes (e.g. management office, clubhouse, fitness center) 
• Apartment buildings with 4 or more units
• Transient or non-transient group quarters (includes nursing homes, care & treatment facilities, residence halls & dorms)
• Multi-tenant non-residential commercial buildings

 The way in which CMLP applies its heat pump rebate policies to different types of multi-unit properties is based upon:

• Property type classification codes known as “Use Codes,” that are displayed in the “Land Use” section of each property record in the Concord Assessor’s database. 
• Electric service addresses in CMLP’s billing system. 

 Click here to see how CMLP’s heat pump rebate policies apply to each of the multi-unit property types listed above.  

• CMLP's rebates are available for new heat pumps installed in existing buildings, or in major renovations of existing buildings in which oil, propane, electric resistance (e.g. electric baseboard) or a pre-existing heat pump is the current primary heating system. The new heat pumps may supplement or replace the existing heat system. Buildings primarily heated with natural gas are not eligible for CMLP’s rebates, but may apply for similar rebates through Mass Save.  
• CMLP's rebates are not available for heat pumps installed in newly constructed buildings.
• CMLP's rebates are available for heat pumps installed in newly constructed additions only if the heat pump installed is designed to serve some or all of an existing building plus a newly constructed addition attached to the existing building.
• Buildings with Small General Service (G1), Medium General Service (G2) or Large General Service (G3) electric rate accounts are eligible for CMLP's business rebates. Look at your monthly electric bill to determine if you are a G1, G2, or G3 customer with CMLP.  

• Buildings with residential service rate accounts are eligible for CMLP's business heat pump rebates if:
  • the building is owned by a residential condominium association and is fully or partially used for non-residential purposes (e.g. fitness center, clubhouse, management office) or
  • the building has a Use Code in the "Land Use" section of the property record in the Concord Assessor's database in which the first three digits are "111" or higher. This includes apartment buildings with 4 or more units, and non-transient and transient group quarters.

Energy Audits and Weatherization 

CMLP encourages you to to identify and implement measures that will prepare your building for a heating system upgrade, such as sealing and insulating your ductwork and/or building. A tight, well-insulated building optimizes heat pump performance, and may allow for a smaller heat pump to be installed, saving you money upfront and on your monthly utility bills. CMLP-sponsored energy audits can help you identify appropriate, cost-effective improvements. 

License Requirements

Equipment must be installed by a licensed contractor, unless completed by in-house licensed tradespeople. 

Heat pump installations completed by in-house licensed tradespeople are eligible for rebates under the following conditions:

• A licensed electrician obtains an electrical permit and does the wiring. The installation must pass an electrical inspection.
• If the project involves sheet metal work beyond minor repairs, a tradesperson qualified to obtain a sheet metal permit must do so. The sheet metal work must pass a building department inspection. 
• When applicable, refrigerant lines must be charged, sealed, and tested by a licensed professional to adhere to EPA regulations (some self-install systems are pre-charged and pre-sealed). If an existing HVAC system is being decommissioned, existing refrigerant must be properly recaptured. 
• The rebate cannot exceed the cost of the project, which is documented by invoices and/or receipts. Therefore, in-house labor would not count towards the cost of the project.

Town Building Department Permit and Inspection Requirements

Electrical Permits and Inspections

The project electrician must apply for a Town electrical permit before work begins and schedule an electrical inspection after the work is done. CMLP will not award rebates until projects have passed an electrical inspection by Concord's Building Department. 

Concord has online permitting, so the electrician does not have to go into the Building Department office in person to obtain a permit. The electrician can upload their liability insurance certificate and license and can pay online. 

Electrical inspections are done on weekdays and can usually be completed within 5 to 7 days of the request. The building owner cannot schedule the inspection. The electrician schedules it by calling the Electrical Inspector at 978-318-3235 between 7am and 9am Monday through Friday with the permit number and the desired inspection date and time. Messages left for the Electrical Inspector after 9am will be returned the next morning. 

Sheet Metal Permits and Inspections

If the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs, a sheet metal permit must be obtained for the project. Examples of projects that require a sheet metal permit include installation of new ducting or replacement, significant repairs or changes to existing ducting. The Town of Concord's inspector must have inspected and approved the sheet metal work. 

The process for getting sheet metal permits follows the same process as getting an electrical permit. The permit holder, typically the sheet metal contractor, must call the Building Dept. to schedule sheet metal inspections at (978) 318-3280. The Building Department's hours are here. 

Electrical and sheet metal inspection approval dates must be entered in the heat pump rebate application. CMLP will verify the inspection approval dates using the Town's online permitting database.

Earliest Eligible Installation Date

The heat pump equipment must have been installed on or after January 1, 2023 to be eligible for a rebate. The installation date is the latter of the Concord Building Department's:

• electrical inspection approval date or
• sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs)

Heat Load Calculation Requirement for Heat Pumps Serving a Newly Constructed Addition + Some or All of an Existing Building

If the heat pump system installed will serve some or all of an existing building plus a newly constructed addition, a heat load calculation (i.e. energy model, Manual N or Manual J report) for the entire space to be conditioned by the heat pump must be provided with the rebate application. The heating capacity of the heat pump system installed must be at least 90% of the heat load at the design temperature. Since CMLP does not provide rebates for heat pumps solely serving new construction, the heat load calculation will help CMLP verify that the heat pump system installed is sized to serve part or all of the existing building as well as the new addition. 

CMLP does not require a heat load calculation for heat pumps installed solely to serve an existing building. However, to help ensure proper heat pump sizing, a heat load calculation is strongly encouraged for all whole-building applications. 

Shared Savings Arrangements

At this time, CMLP does not provide rebates for heat pumps installed by a contractor under a shared savings arrangement, in which the contractor’s compensation is based on the savings achieved.

Preliminary Step: Ensure that the heat pump installation has passed a Town of Concord Building Department electrical inspection and, if applicable, a sheet meal inspection in the rebate application. You will need to enter the inspection approval date(s) in the rebate application. Find out more about permits and inspections in the "Eligibility Criteria for Heat Pump Projects" section on this page. The Building Department's contact information and hours are here. 

Rebate Application Step: Click the "Apply" button below for the rebate application, and complete it with assistance from your installer or from Jan Aceti, CMLP's Energy Efficiency and Electrification Coordinator (jaceti@concordma.gov or 978-318-3151). Upload the following documents with the rebate application.

- if heat pump was installed by an outside contractor, invoice from the heat pump installer showing:

- installation company/contractor information

- installation address

- equipment model numbers (including indoor model numbers, where appropriate)

- integrated control model numbers, if required.

- if installed by in-house tradespeople, receipt(s) for heat pump equipment and materials used in installation, showing;

     - delivery address

     -  equipment model numbers (including indoor model numbers, where appropriate) 

     -  integrated control model numbers, if required. 

- energy model, Manual N or Manual J heat load report, if heat pump is designed to serve some or all of an existing building plus a newly constructed addition attached to the existing building.

-  a copy of your W-9 form, if the rebate requested is $600 or more and in the form of a check.

CMLP's 90-day rebate application window begins on the latter of the Concord Building Department's:

• electrical inspection approval date or
• sheet metal inspection approval date (applicable if the project requires sheet metal ducting work that goes beyond minor repairs)

Projects for which CMLP does not receive a rebate application within the 90-day window are not eligible for a rebate.

If an application received by CMLP is incomplete or has not met all of the rebate requirements, CMLP will reach out once to the installer and to the customer by both phone and email. If outstanding issues are not resolved within 30 days of the communication, the project will no longer be eligible for a rebate. 

The Town of Concord assumes no liability for any equipment, installation or damages. 

The Town may inspect equipment to verify the above information up to 1 year after receiving the rebate application.

• Any rebate of $750 or less is issued as a credit on your electric bill. 
• Any customer in good standing may choose to receive a rebate over $750 as either a bill credit or a check from the Town. Indicate your preference on your rebate application.
• If a customer requesting a check has been in arrears frequently in the past two years, CMLP may apply all or part of the rebate as a bill credit rather than as a check.
• A rebate check will arrive in 4 – 6 weeks after rebate payment request approval. 
• Commercial entities receiving checks for $600 or more will get a 1099 from Town for the relevant tax year, if required by tax code. 

Contact Jan Aceti, CMLP's Energy Efficiency & Electrification Coordinator, at jaceti@concordma.gov or 978-318-3151.

• Electric Vehicles (EVs) are battery powered vehicles that are charged by plugging them into an electricity source, such as an electrical outlet or charging station. Learn more
• Commercial properties often install EV charging for private and/or public use. Learn more about the basics of EV charging.
• Contact a CMLP EV specialist to get answers to your specific EV or charging questions at 833-443-8363, ev@concordma.gov or via the support request form

There are a variety of types and sizes of electric vehicles that businesses can now incorporate into their fleets. In many cases, existing vehicles can be replaced by a plug-in electric model and utilized to meet the same daily function as vehicle it replaced, with little to no behavior change by the driver and the fleet manager. Key benefits to the business include savings on fuel and maintenance, a better experience for the fleet drivers, time saved by using onsite refueling, reduced maintenance time, reduced carbon emissions and improvement of local air quality.

Learn more about the types of electric vehicles available and their features.

CMLP’s EV Specialists can help you find EVs that meet your needs, and point you towards rebates that will lower your cost to purchase them. Contact the EV Specialists at 833-443-8363, ev@concordma.gov or via the support request form.

Employers, businesses and other commercial entities that choose to install on-site EV charging stations can benefit by:

• attracting new sales from EV drivers who spend money at your business while they charge;
• becoming a preferred vendor for potential customers that support the shift to driving electric;  
• attracting and retaining top notch employees who drive EVs;
• reducing fuel and vehicle maintenance costs for your company’s fleet and for employees who drive EVs;
• demonstrating your organization’s environmental leadership.

For more specific information about how your business can benefit from installing an on-site EV charging station, contact our EV Specialists at 833-443-8363, ev@concordma.gov or via the support request form.

To effectively invest in EV charging for your business, it’s important to:

• Choose the right hardware, software and support plans to meet your needs and budget;
• Adopt site best practices, charging policies and pricing to optimize utilization and reduce costs.
• Apply for available charging station incentives in order to lower your project cost, including:
  • Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (MassEVIP) Rebate Learn more
  • CMLP’s Commercial EV Charging Station Rebate Learn more
  • Federal tax credits for EV charging through 2032  Learn more

CMLP’s EV Specialists can help you complete these key tasks. Contact them at 833-443-8363, ev@concordma.gov or via the support request form. Charging station rebate programs have certain equipment standards. Contact the EV Specialists when you begin planning your charging station project in order to ensure rebate eligibility. The EV Specialist Team is funded by CMLP, is offered at no cost to you, and provides objective advice that is brand neutral and steers clear of one-size-fits-all solutions.

CMLP recommends getting 3 quotes for any significant work you have done on your house. At no cost to you, ask our trained heating/cooling coaches for help comparing quotes, understanding the alternatives being offered, and asking installers the right follow-up questions. The coaching service is supported by CMLP funds. CMLP's coaches have no affiliations with private businesses and can offer impartial information. Coaches help you become better informed, so that you can confidently make your own decision about choosing an installer. Further, Concord homeowners who work with CMLP's heating/cooling coaches to plan heat pump projects spend less on their installations - even before rebates up to $10,000 - than homeowners who don't work with a coach. 

We do not have a list of pre-screened heat pump contractors, but you can find contractors through the following avenues:

• Talk with friends & neighbors to see who they’ve worked with and recommend.
• Look at heat pump installer ratings with the Better Business Bureau, through the public library’s Consumer’s Checkbook account (checkbook.org/library/Concord-Public-Library/login/), or via online rating apps.

Here is a list of companies that have completed heat pump installations receiving CMLP rebates since January 1, 2021. Installers may have completed additional installations in Concord that received Mass Save rebates, because the heat pump displaced natural gas heating. CMLP does not endorse or pre-qualify these installers in any way. 

You are not required to work with a contractor on this list to install a heat pump in Concord or receive a CMLP rebate.

10/6/25

3/18/26

Free Cash represents a community's unrestricted funds from operations of the previous fiscal year, available for appropriation after certification by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR). It is generated when actual revenue collections exceed budget estimates, and when expenditures and encumbrances are less than appropriations. Free Cash can be used for non-recurring expenditures, capital projects, or to bolster reserves. However, it cannot be expended until certified by the DOR.

Related Resources:

• Massachusetts DOR: The Importance of Free Cash
• Massachusetts DOR: Free Cash Calculations
• Massachusetts DOR: Free Cash Use

An Enterprise Fund is a separate accounting mechanism for municipal services for which a fee is charged in exchange for goods or services, such as water, sewer, or trash disposal. This allows for clear identification of the total cost of providing a service, including direct, indirect, and capital costs. Establishing an Enterprise Fund requires acceptance by a vote of town meeting or city council and ensures that the service's revenues and expenditures are segregated from other governmental activities.

Related Resources:

• Massachusetts DOR: Enterprise Funds Overview
• Massachusetts General Laws: Chapter 44, Section 53F½ - Enterprise Funds
• Massachusetts DOR: Enterprise Funds Manual

Concord issues municipal bonds to finance large capital projects such as infrastructure improvements, school buildings, and other significant public works. This process involves:

1. Authorization: Approval by a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting.
2. Issuance: Selling bonds to investors to raise the necessary capital.
3. Repayment: Paying back the principal and interest over a specified period, typically through property tax revenues.

Issuing bonds allows the town to undertake essential projects without depleting current funds, spreading the cost over time.

Related Resources:

• Massachusetts Department of Revenue: Municipal Debt
• Massachusetts Debt Management: Debt Management Overview

A bond rating assesses the creditworthiness of a municipality, indicating the risk level to investors. Ratings are assigned by agencies like Moody's and Standard & Poor's, based on factors such as financial health, economic conditions, and management practices. A higher bond rating signifies lower risk, allowing the town to borrow at lower interest rates, reducing the cost of financing capital projects.

Related Resource:

• Massachusetts DOR: Debt and Other Financial Indicators

Capital Planning involves identifying and prioritizing long-term investments in infrastructure, facilities, and equipment. It ensures that the town can maintain and improve its assets efficiently and cost-effectively. Concord maintains a rolling 5-10 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), reviewed annually to address the community's evolving needs.

Related Resource:

• Massachusetts Division of Local Services: Developing the Capital Plan and Managing Debt
• Massachusetts Division of Local Services: Capital Improvement Planning Guide

An annual financial audit is an independent examination of the town's financial statements and practices. It ensures accuracy, compliance with laws and regulations, and effective internal controls. The audit provides transparency and accountability, fostering public trust in the town's financial management.

Related Resources:

• Massachusetts Department of Revenue: Massachusetts DOR Audit Process
• Massachusetts Office of the Comptroller: Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR)

The TOD rate charges different  prices for electricity depending on when you use it. There are:

• Peak hours (higher price)
• Super Off-peak hours (lowest price)
• Off-peak hours (middle price)

Time-of-day rates better reflect the real cost of producing and delivering electricity. Power is more expensive during high-demand hours and less expensive when demand is low. This change helps reduce peak demand, lowers long-term power supply costs, reduces emissions and provides an opportunity for customers to lower their bill by shifting usage to less expensive times.

The new TOD rate will take effect April 1, 2026. The first CMLP bill on which you will see the new rates reflected is the May 2026 bill, which covers April usage.

Under the current standard R-1 rate, you pay higher rates when you use more total energy each month. Under TOD rates , your bill depends primarily on when you use electricity, not how much you use in total.

TOD pricing may not be beneficial for customers who cannot change the time of day that they rely on electricity.  Many customers will pay about the same under TOD rates, and those customers can also shift some of their load to save further on their bills. 

As defined in the new TOD rate schedule:

• Peak: weekdays 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Super Off-Peak: every day from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• Off-peak: All other hours

Monday through Friday 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Saturday and Sunday 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.

On weekdays there are three time periods: Peak, Super Off-Peak and Off-peak. 

On weekends there are only two time periods: Super Off-Peak and Off-peak. 

Those hours that are Peak on weekdays will be considered Off-Peak on the weekends. 

We also apply seasonal charges during the shoulder months of March, April, October, and November.

Holiday rates remain unchanged.

The TOD rate is being rolled out in phases. In the first phase, there isn’t as much variation in the peak period prices. However, in phase two, the differences will widen further; creating a wider differential between the Super Off-Peak and the Off-Peak price. It will be helpful to get accustomed to maximizing Super Off-Peak use via flexible loads in phase one so that you can realize bigger savings in phase two.

CMLP's residential rates are about 30% lower than those customers who live in investor-owned utility areas served by National Grid, Eversource, and Unitil. Our residential rates, however, are higher than those of other municipal utilities because of deliberate local choices to invest in programs and services that directly benefit our customers and community.

CMLP’s energy supply is 100% carbon-free. Not many Massachusetts light plants can claim this.

CMLP offers a wide range of programs and incentives that are not always available—or as robust—from other providers. These include incentives and support for solar installations, heat pumps, electric vehicles and chargers, weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades, and other customer-focused programs. These investments help customers reduce long-term energy costs, lower emissions, and improve comfort and reliability.

In addition, CMLP maintains local control, high reliability standards, and responsive customer service, with decisions made by and for the community rather than by shareholders.

While the price per kilowatt-hour is an important consideration, many customers find that the overall value—including rebates, incentives, energy savings, and local service—makes CMLP’s rates competitive when viewed over time.

We encourage customers to consider both rates and available programs when comparing electric service options.

CMLP staff, often under the oversight of a third party rate expert, recommends rate adjustments, when needed, to CMLP’s governing board. With consideration of input from the community, the governing board determines rates. The decision to adjust rates is based on factors such as changes in wholesale electricity costs, infrastructure investments, and overall financial health of the utility.

The amount of any rate adjustment is proposed by CMLP staff based on a thorough analysis of costs and revenue requirements. The proposal is then reviewed and approved or adjusted by the CMLP governing board. Public meetings are held to ensure transparency and allow for community feedback before any changes are finalized.

The 2026 TOD rate is designed to be revenue neutral. That means CMLP expects to collect the same revenue from the new rate that it did from the old rate in 2025. Overall rates will go neither up nor down. However, individual customers may pay more or less depending on how much energy they use during peak hours. Many customers can keep their bills the same or lower by shifting certain activities (EV charging, laundry, running the dishwashing) to off-peak times. 

Customers can view their historical Peak and Off-peak electricity usage through CMLP’s SmartHub or by reviewing their monthly statements, which will break down usage by time period beginning with the May 2026 bills. For more detailed information, contact CMLP’s customer service team at: concordutilities@concordma.gov  or  978-318-3101 who can provide customized usage reports.

Shift energy-intensive activities, such as running your dishwasher or charging an electric vehicle, to off-peak hours.   Please see these tips on how to reduce your costs.

Your bill will show your energy usage broken down by time periods: Peak, Super Off-Peak, and Off-Peak.

For the most current details on your usage, visit the SmartHub self-service portal. It’s the easiest way to stay informed and in control.

Need to register? https://concord.smarthub.coop.

With SmartHub, you can: Manage your account information, view and monitor your energy usage and go paperless for convenience.

During peak hours (weekdays 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM), electricity costs more because demand is highest. You can still use any appliance, but to save money try to avoid running these appliances during this time:

•    EV chargers

•    Dryers 

•    Air conditioners 

•    Electric water heaters, pool pumps, and spa pumps

•    Dishwashers and washing machines

Small changes like shifting these activities to Off-peak or Super off-peak times can lower your bill and support a cleaner, more reliable energy system.

Yes! You can use electricity anytime you need it. However, during Peak hours (weekdays 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM), rates are higher because demand is at its busiest. Using the “average” amount of energy during peak hours won’t increase your bill. If you use more than the average amount during Peak hours, then you will pay more than you do today. If you use less than the average amount during Peak hours, then you will pay less than you do today. To save money, try shifting big energy tasks like running the dishwasher, doing laundry, or charging your EV to Off-peak or Super off-peak times when rates are lower.

•    Super Off-Peak: 1:00 AM – 5:00 AM (lowest rate)

•    Off-Peak: All other hours outside weekdays 3:00–7:00 PM

All metered residential customers in the Concord Municipal Light Plant service territory are eligible for this rate. No action is needed; you will automatically transition to these rates on April 1.

All residential customers currently on the R-1 rate will be switched to the TOD rate on April 1, 2026 unless an opt-out form is completed.

The OPT OUT rate is designed to be simple and predictable, but it is priced to be about 4% higher than the TOD rate for the “average” customer. This reflects the fact that TOD customers help reduce costs by shifting electricity use away from peak hours.

We encourage you to try the TOD rate if you’re interested, knowing that you can opt out if it doesn’t work for you. There is no penalty or fee to leave the TOD rate. However, to provide stability for both customers and the electric system, customers may switch between the TOD rate and the OPT OUT rate only once during a 12-month period.

If you choose to leave the TOD rate, your new rate will take effect on the next billing cycle, and you would remain on the OPT OUT rate for at least 12 months before being able to switch to TOD again.

The TOD rate works best for customers who can shift some electricity use to off-peak hours, but customers always have a choice. We encourage customers to review their usage patterns and decide which rate is the best fit for their household. Our goal is to give customers flexibility and choice.

If you have more questions about the OPT OUT rate, please contact the Customer Service team at 978‑318‑3101.

TOD encourages customers to shift energy use away from peak hours, reducing strain on the grid and lowering reliance on fossil fuels. This helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions and supports Concord’s commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Time-of-Day rates were one of the primary goals outlined under the Energy section of the Sustainable Concord Climate Action and Resilience Plan.

Yes, reducing demand during peak hours helps maintain system reliability and prevents strain on the grid.

To understand how Time-of-Day (TOD) saves everyone money, it helps to look at how our utility is billed by the regional grid operator. A significant portion of the town’s total energy costs isn’t based on the total amount of electricity we use, but rather on how much we use during the region’s busiest hour.

The Concept of the “Regional Peak”

Every month and every year, the regional power grid hits a “peak” – the single hour when electricity demand is at its absolute highest across the entire state or region. Our utility must pay a share of the regional grid’s costs based on the town’s electricity demand at that specific moment. This is often referred to as the Coincident Peak.

Where the Savings Come From

By using TOD rates to encourage residents to shift their usage (like running dishwashers or charging EVs) to off-peak hours, the town shaves its demand during those critical peak windows. This reduces two major expenses:

• Capacity Payments: These are fees paid to power plants to ensure there is enough “standing” electricity available to meet the highest possible demand. If our town’s peak demand is lower, our mandatory capacity obligation, and its associated cost, drops.

• Transmission Charges: These are the costs of moving high volumes of electricity over long-distance high-voltage lines. Like a toll road, these charges are highest when the traffic is heaviest. Reducing our peak usage reduces these infrastructure fees.

The Community Effect

Because these capacity and transmission costs are fixed expenses that the utility must recover through its rates, they are eventually spread across every customer’s bill.

• When CMLP’s peak is high: The utility’s costs go up, and eventually, everyone’s rates must rise to cover those payments.

• When CMLP’s peak is low: The utility saves big money in regional fees. These savings allow the utility to keep base rates lower for all customers, even those who are not personally enrolled in the TOD program.

By flattening CMLP’s overall demand curve, we reduce the expensive regional surcharges that would otherwise drive up electricity rates for the entire community.

Pros:

• Potential Cost Savings: You can lower your bill by shifting electricity usage to off-peak periods.
• Environmental Benefits: Shifting electricity usage to off-peak periods reduces carbon emissions.
• Grid Reliability: Reducing demand during peak periods helps prevent grid overload and reduces the need for costly infrastructure upgrades.
• Usage Transparency: With the advanced meters CMLP installed in 2024 and SmartHub, you are able to better monitor and manage your energy usage.
• Incentivizes Smart Technology: TOD rates encourage the adoption of energy-efficient devices like smart thermostats and timers for appliances.

Cons:

• Behavioral Adjustment: You may need to change habits and schedule energy-intensive activities during off-peak hours to benefit.
• Higher Peak Costs: Electricity during Peak hours is more expensive under TOD rates, which can increase costs if usage isn’t adjusted.
• Inconvenience for Some: Shifting activities such as laundry, cooking, or EV charging to off-peak hours may be challenging for those with inflexible schedules.

Time-of-day rates charge different prices for electricity depending on when you use it. If you use electricity during lower-cost hours, you pay less. If you use electricity during higher-cost hours, you pay more. Your solar system helps reduce how much electricity you need to buy from the grid, but the timing of your usage still matters.

Yes. The residential Net Metering with Banking Rate will be replaced with a Net Billing Rate starting April 1, 2026. Under Net Billing, the monthly Distribution Charge based on the installed capacity of your system will be eliminated, but you will pay a variable distribution cost ($0.09183/kWh) on all electricity received by CMLP from you. In other words, under the new Net Billing Rate, electricity received by CMLP from you is credited the retail rate less the $0.09183/kWh cost of distribution. Under the old previous Net Metering with Banking Rate, electricity received by CMLP from you was credited the retail rate including the cost of distribution.

Under time-of-day rates, exported solar electricity will be credited at different values depending on when it is sent to the grid. Exports during lower-cost hours generally receive a lower credit than exports during higher-cost hours.

Under the Net Metering with Banking Rate, all monthly kilowatt hours of solar production in excess of the kilowatt hours CMLP sent to you were credited at a wholesale rate – usually between $0.02 and $0.05/kWh. Under the Net Billing Rate, all solar electricity sent to the grid will be credited at the retail Time-of-Day rate less the $0.09183/khw cost of distribution. The new value of your solar will be no less than $0.10461/kWh and could be as high as $0.21132/kWh depending on the time of day you send the solar electricity to CMLP’s grid.

Yes.  Customers with solar continue to receive credits for electricity sent to the grid. The difference is that the value of those credits may vary by time of day instead of being the same at all hours.

The median solar customer will see a bill savings of about $36 per year, but individual customers could see either an increase or a decrease of potentially a significant magnitude. Assuming customers do not shift their behavior at all, the best-off solar customer’s bill would go down $1,200 per year. The worst-off solar customer’s bill could go up $700 per year.

The bill impact of TOD on solar customers’ bills depends on several factors:

• How many kilowatt hours you use overall?
  Customers who use more than 835 kWh per month were paying the highest Tier 3 price under the R-1 rate. Under the TOD rate there is no penalty for using more than a certain amount. If you were being billed for a lot of kWh in the third tier, you will likely see a decrease in your TOD electric bill.
• How high is your monthly solar distribution charge currently?
  The larger the installed capacity of your solar system, the higher this current charge is. The elimination of this monthly charge under Net Billing will tend to reduce your TOD electric bill.
• How many kilowatt hours do you send to the grid each month?
  If you were regularly sending more kWh to the grid than CMLP was sending to you, you were receiving a wholesale credit for that excess production. You will now receive a higher credit for all of the electricity you send to the grid, whether excess or not. That additional revenue will tend to lower your bill.
• How much of your energy usage occurs between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays?
  Using more than the average during that time will put upward pressure on your bill. If you use less, your bill will tend to go down.

The highest TOD price is from 3–7 p.m., when solar production is lower or zero (such as in the winter.) If much of your electricity use happens during those hours, your bill may increase.

In summer, longer days mean more solar production, which can help offset usage. In winter, shorter days and lower solar output may mean you rely more on the grid, especially during higher-priced evening hours.

On days when your solar system produces less electricity, you may need to buy more power from the grid. Under TOD rates, the cost depends on when that electricity is used.

Yes. Larger systems generally produce more electricity and more credits, but timing still matters. A large system does not automatically protect you from higher costs if most of your household’s electricity occurs during peak-price hours.

No. Solar production usually peaks around midday, while the highest TOD price is from 3 to 7 p.m.

Electric demand is typically highest in the evening when people are home using lights, cooking, and appliances, and solar production has dropped off. Higher prices reflect higher system costs during those hours.

The “average” household uses between 11% and 17% of their electricity during Peak hours, depending on the month.

Solar credits are used to offset the electricity charges you incur when you use power from the grid. The value of those credits varies based on when the generation occurs. You will be charged the retail rate for the electricity CMLP sends to you and you will be credited the retail rate less distribution for the electricity you send to CMLP.

Many customers can lower their bills by shifting flexible activities—such as laundry, dishwashing, or electric vehicle charging—to lower-cost hours.

Using electricity while your solar system is producing can reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid and may help lower your bill.

Even small changes, like running appliances outside of peak hours, can add up over time, especially under time-of-day pricing.

TOD makes EV charging more affordable if you charge during Super Off-Peak hours (1 AM – 5 AM). Charging overnight at the lowest rate can significantly reduce your cost per mile compared to charging during peak hours. Consider using a smart charger or timer to schedule charging automatically.

A battery can store excess solar energy produced during the day and allow you to use it later during higher-priced hours, potentially reducing your bill.

Yes. Batteries can be programmed to discharge when electricity prices are highest or when solar production is low.