Waltham: heat pumps and Mass Save
53% of Waltham homes heat with natural gas and 19% with oil. The median home was built in 1961.
- Facts checked: November 3, 2026
How Waltham homes heat today
| Main heating fuel | Homes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Natural gas | 13,624 | 53% |
| Electricity | 5,993 | 24% |
| Fuel oil or kerosene | 4,830 | 19% |
| Propane or bottled gas | 736 | 3% |
| Other or none | 315 | 1% |
25,498 occupied homes: 12,670 owned and 12,828 rented. Median year built: 1961. Of 26,728 housing units, 6,138 (23%) are in buildings of two to four units, 8,310 (31%) in buildings of five or more, and 12,280 (46%) in single-family homes and other types.
How Waltham compares
Among the 23 towns we cover, Waltham ranks 11th for oil heat (19% against an average of 20%), 15th for natural gas (53% against 57%) and 5th for electric heat (24% against 19%). A few towns with a similar heating mix and housing age:
| Town | Oil | Gas | Electric | Median built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynn | 17% | 57% | 22% | 1946 |
| Salem | 17% | 55% | 25% | 1938 |
| Arlington | 18% | 59% | 18% | 1945 |
| Beverly | 25% | 50% | 20% | 1956 |
| Medford | 15% | 62% | 19% | 1942 |
| Woburn | 29% | 51% | 17% | 1968 |
Put another way: Waltham is the 6th largest of the 23 towns by occupied homes (25,498). For every home on oil there are 2.8 on natural gas. Its median home year of 1961 is 9 years newer than the 1952 average across these towns. 5,993 homes (24%) are electric, and 736 (3%) use propane or bottled gas.
Tune-ups for heating systems in Waltham
Waltham splits three ways: gas in 13,624 homes, oil in 4,830 and electricity in 5,993. Tell us which one is yours.
Across the three burner fuels, 19,190 of 25,498 homes (75%) burn gas, oil or propane: 13,624 gas, 4,830 oil and 736 propane. 12,828 homes (50%) are rented, which means the landlord, not the tenant, books the visit. Waltham's median build year is 1961. A photo of the nameplate tells us more than the age of the house does.
See what a visit covers for a boiler or a furnace, then ask for a visit in Waltham.
Replacing a boiler or furnace in Waltham
A heat pump that replaces oil, propane or electric resistance heat qualifies for Mass Save rebates, and so does one that replaces natural gas where a gas sponsor serves you. Rates and the January 1, 2027 drop are on the 2027 rebate page.
Get a replacement price in Waltham, or compare heat pump or a new oil boiler.
Next steps
The calculator turns a quote into a net price. Oil customers: leave the tank behind. Panel full or fuses? Panel upgrades explains.