Key Takeaways
- Rates are Rising: Effective February 1, Eversource residential supply rates increased by roughly 5% to $0.156/kWh, while Unitil rates jumped significantly higher to approximately $0.162/kWh.
- State Relief is Here: Governor Healey’s “Winter Bill Relief” plan provides an automatic 25% reduction on total electric bills for usage in February and March 2026.
- Impact: Without relief, a typical Eversource household would see a monthly supply increase of about $4.50, while Unitil customers face a sharper rise due to regional market constraints.
- Actionable Steps: Residents can offset costs by scheduling a no-cost Mass Save® energy assessment or comparing fixed rates from competitive suppliers.
The February Rate Adjustment
As of February 1, 2026, residential electricity rates have increased for customers of Massachusetts‘ two major investor-owned utilities, Eversource Energy and Unitil (Fitchburg Gas & Electric).
Eversource Energy customers in both Eastern and Western Massachusetts will see their Basic Service Fixed rate move from $0.14884 per kWh to $0.15629 per kWh. This represents a moderate 5% increase aimed at covering the higher cost of power generation during New England’s coldest months.
Unitil customers in North Central Massachusetts face a steeper adjustment. The fixed Basic Service rate has risen from a previous baseline of $0.12866 per kWh. While the core energy component is approximately $0.14299 per kWh, recent filings indicate the total fixed rate for residential customers is $0.16247 per kWh for the period ending July 2026.
Why Are Rates Changing?
The primary driver for these increases is New England’s reliance on natural gas for electricity generation. During winter, regional pipeline capacity is constrained as natural gas is prioritized for home heating. This forces power plants to rely on more expensive stored fuels, specifically Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imported from the global market.
Because Massachusetts utilities are “wires-only” companies, meaning they deliver power but don’t own the plants that generate it, they pass these wholesale market costs directly to consumers without profit.
The Silver Lining: 25% Winter Bill Relief
To combat these winter spikes, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has launched the Winter Bill Relief plan.
- What it is: A 25% reduction on your total electric bill (both Supply and Delivery charges).
- When: Applies to usage from February 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026.
- How to get it: No action is required. The credit is applied automatically to your bill. Note that it may not appear as a separate line item; instead, utilities like Eversource and National Grid are reducing specific rate components to achieve the net 25% discount.
Note: This relief is funded partly by state subsidies and partly by deferring costs to the summer months. Utilities have agreed to waive all interest on these deferred amounts.
Impact on Your Wallet
How does this translate to your monthly budget? Here is the estimated impact for a typical household using 600 kWh per month.
Eversource Customers:
- New Supply Cost: ~$93.77 per month (up roughly $4.47 from January).
- With Relief: The 25% state credit will likely save this household over $35.00 in February and March, effectively negating the rate hike during these two months.
Unitil Customers:
- New Supply Cost: ~$97.48 per month (at the $0.162 rate).
- With Relief: Due to the higher underlying rate hike (~26%), the state’s 25% relief is critical for Fitchburg-area residents, potentially saving them over $40.00 per month compared to the unadjusted price.
Who is Impacted?
These changes affect residents in specific service territories:
- Eversource: Serves 149 communities including Boston, Cambridge, Newton, Plymouth, New Bedford, Cape Cod (all towns), Springfield, and Pittsfield.
- Unitil: Serves North Central Massachusetts, specifically Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Townsend, Ashby, and parts of Leominster and Shirley.
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What You Can Do to Save
While the Governor’s relief helps now, rates remain high. Here are three ways to take control of your bill:
- Shop for a Supplier: You can switch to a competitive electricity supplier that may offer a rate lower than your utility’s Basic Service. Use the official state tool, to compare fixed-rate offers. Warning: Be careful of variable rates and early termination fees.
- Get a Mass Save Audit: The Mass Save program offers no-cost home energy assessments. You can qualify for 75-100% off insulation upgrades and rebates up to $10,000 for heat pumps. Improving your home’s efficiency is the only permanent way to lower your bill.
- Check Community Power: Many towns, such as those in Boston and Somerville, have “Municipal Aggregation” programs that leverage bulk buying power to secure lower rates for residents. Check your town’s website to see if you are already enrolled or can opt-in.
About the Author
David has been an integral part of some of the biggest utility sites on the internet, including InMyArea.com, HighSpeedInternet.com, BroadbandNow.com, and U.S. News. He brings over 15 years of experience writing about, compiling and analyzing utility data.