Guide
Whole-home electrification
The 5–10 year sequence: insulation, then heat pump, then EV charger, then HPWH, then induction. Panel reality, incentive stacking, combined cost.
Guides
Home electrification, properly explained
One long-form, source-backed guide per topic. Each covers what the equipment is, how it works, install requirements, lifespan and maintenance, cost expectations, and the practical tips you wish you’d known before signing a contractor quote.
Topic guides
Guide
Solar PV
How PV cells produce DC, inverter architectures, sizing, NEM 3.0 successor problem, battery decision, 25-year economics, how to read a contractor bid.
Guide
Home batteries
LFP vs NMC, the three use cases (backup / self-consumption / TOU arbitrage), sizing, brand-by-brand options, how to read a battery bid.
Guide
Heat pumps
Refrigerant cycle, ducted vs ductless vs cold-climate vs geothermal, HSPF2/SEER2, Manual J sizing, install red flags.
Guide
Ductless mini-splits
Brand ranking (Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu, LG), sizing, hyper-heat cold-climate reality, install red flags, vs ducted central.
Guide
Geothermal heat pumps
Loop types (vertical/horizontal/pond/open), sizing, 30% federal 25D credit, brand options (WaterFurnace, ClimateMaster), drilling reality, vs air-source.
Guide
AC replacement
SEER2 (2023), R-410A → R-32/R-454B refrigerant transition, tier selection, Manual J sizing, why heat pump is usually the better answer.
Guide
Ductwork
Leakage reality, Manual D design, materials (flex/sheet metal/duct board), mastic vs Aeroseal sealing, heat-pump airflow needs.
Guide
EV chargers
Level 1/2/3, NEC 80%/125% rule, NACS / J3400 connector consolidation, plug-in vs hardwired, federal 30C credit, load management.
Guide
EV total cost of ownership
How 30D + state credits stack, home + DC fast-charging cost, why EV maintenance is half of ICE, depreciation, 5/8/10-year breakeven.
Guide
Heat pump water heaters
UEF 3.0–4.0 vs 0.95, 120V plug-in vs 240V hybrid vs split, sizing by household, free-air install, condensate routing.
Guide
Tankless water heaters
Gas condensing vs non, why electric whole-home is wrong, sizing for cold water, venting + gas line, descaling, when HPWH wins.
Guide
Induction cooking
How magnetic-field heating works, cookware compatibility, range vs cooktop vs portable, 240V requirements, gas line capping, IAQ benefits.
Guide
Electrical panels
Service-size definitions, replacement vs upgrade vs subpanel, NEC 220.83 load calc, recalled brands, NEC 750 energy-management alternatives.
Guide
Insulation & air-sealing
R-values by zone, cellulose vs fiberglass vs spray foam, where dollars go furthest, blower-door, HOMES rebate, why this is step zero.
Guide
Windows
NFRC label decoded, frame materials (vinyl/fiberglass/wood/aluminum), double vs triple-pane, honest payback math, install red flags.
Guide
Energy audits
Walkthrough vs BPI vs HERS vs full rater, what each test measures, utility programs, DOE HOMES rebate path, what to expect.
Guide
Smart thermostats
How they save energy, Nest vs Ecobee vs Honeywell, C-wire problem, demand-response, privacy considerations.
Guide
Backup generators
Portable vs standby, sizing, fuel choice (NG/propane/diesel), interlock vs ATS, NEC 702 compliance, vs battery storage.
Guide
Pool heat pumps
Sizing, vs gas heater, operating cost, climate cutoff, brand options, install requirements.
Comparison pages
Head-to-head analyses across the most common decision points.
Comparison
Heat pump vs gas furnace
Side-by-side 15-year total cost: upfront, fuel, maintenance, lifespan, by climate zone.
Comparison
HPWH vs tankless vs tank
Four water heater categories compared on cost, lifespan, operating cost, install needs, rebate eligibility.
Comparison
Solar: cash vs loan vs lease vs PPA
Four financing paths, 25-year economics, who claims 25D, exit at home sale, sales pressure red flags.