The “Knowledge” Gap In 2022, Massachusetts Mass Save sponsors deployed the second iteration of the New Construction Path 1: Zero Net Energy/Deep Energy Savings Program. The Mass Save PA’s prerogative for the design and implementation of this program was “ease of customer understanding and participation”. A lesson learned from our first iteration of the program is, the easier we make things for the owner, the greater the likelihood that the owner and design team will pursue higher energy efficiency and Zero Net Energy goals. There are three major components of this program that address this prerogative: 1.) Customers must commit to hitting a specific site EUI target (based on sector type) in the early conceptual and schematic design phases of a project 2.) The program will accept the design team as built energy models 3.)The program is performance based - meaning that customers must commit to providing real building energy usage data for a specific post occupancy period First, having a sector-based site EUI target gives a clear, tangible target for the customer right at the onset of the project. Second, accepting the design team model removes the complication of producing a program specific model. Third, understanding the building's actual performance will allow the owner to understand how their building is running, and adjust systems if necessary. The simplicity of each component allows the customer to truly grasp the program, and subsequently, close the “knowledge” gap frequently associated with complex energy efficiency programs. The “Financial” Gap The second iteration of the Mass Save Path 1: Zero Net Energy/Deep Energy Savings Program has released new incentive rates of approximately $4.00 - 5.00/SF depending on specific program metrics. The new rates have been universally well received by participants. Not only that, but implementation has seen customers in the field, not originally considering Zero Net Energy/Zero Net Ready building design, decide to pursue ZNE/Ready because of the lucrative new incentive offer. This is a perfect example of closing that “financial” gap frequently considered a barrier to entry for high efficiency building design. In addition, the program has expanded EUI targets from one set value (25 site EUI across the board) to specific site EUI values for 5 sectors; fire stations/police stations, schools, hotels, libraries and offices. This adjustment has resulted in a broader range of building types choosing to pursue Zero Net Energy building design. The “Technological” Gap An element of the new incentive rates that make them unique is that they contain an electrification component. The incentives include a “kicker” for projects that install heat pump technology: Air Source HPs, VRF, and Ground Source HPs. Since the public still has some apprehension/skepticism around the cost-effectiveness of this technology, we have incorporated this in our incentive offer as an obvious effort to drive customers to consider installing highly efficient electrification technology, particularly Ground Source HP. The Mass Save Path 1: Zero Net Energy/Deep Energy Savings program has already started to transform the Massachusetts new construction market and mindset of building owners and design teams. We are seeing more and more customers deciding to pursue Zero Net Energy/Ready buildings irrespective of the building type. Factors that customers used to consider obstacles; financial constraints, over complicated programs, and new/foreign technology are no longer there.