Guides
Complete Guides
Our long-form, start-to-finish guides — for when you want the whole picture on a topic in one place.
Energy Saving Tips That Actually Move the Needle
Which everyday energy-saving advice is backed by real math, and which is a rounding error next to your biggest costs — starting with lighting and standby power.
EV Home Charging Guide
Whether you need a home charger install at all, what it costs, and how home charging actually compares to keeping a gas car — with real math, not marketing averages.
Federal Energy Tax Credits 101
There are two separate federal credits covering home energy upgrades, with different structures — one an uncapped percentage, one a capped annual dollar amount. Here's how each actually works.
Heat Pumps 101
How heat pumps actually work, why cold climates are less of a barrier than reputation suggests, and how to compare them fairly against your existing system.
Home Battery Storage 101
How to think about a home battery's real lifespan, whether it makes sense without solar, and how to compare specific models instead of a generic "battery" line item.
Home Energy Audits & Efficiency Guide
What a real home energy audit checks, how it differs from a DIY walkthrough, and how to size insulation correctly for your climate zone once you know what to fix.
Home Solar: The Complete Guide
Everything worth understanding before you get a single solar quote — cost, incentives, warranties, and how compensation for excess power actually works.
HVAC & Efficiency Ratings 101
How to compare HVAC options fairly — ducted vs. ductless, and how to read SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings without getting misled by the 2023 standard change.
Net Metering Explained
How solar owners are actually compensated for excess power, why the answer varies by utility, and why it changes whether a battery makes financial sense.
Smart Home Energy Savings Guide
Where smart home devices actually save meaningful money on energy, versus where they're mostly convenience — starting with thermostats and plugs.
State Solar Incentives Guide
How state-level solar incentives actually differ from the federal tax credit, and how to stack the two correctly instead of assuming they simply add up.
Understanding Your Electric Bill
How to read what's actually driving your electric bill, and how to tell whether a time-of-use rate plan is saving you money or quietly costing you more.