Home Energy Research
Technical reports, policy reviews, and practical market explainers for homeowners comparing energy upgrades, rates, incentives, and resilience options.
Detailed Guides
Practical explainers for decisions involving home equipment, incentives, and utility costs.
Range Hood Venting Guide (2026 Guide & Data)
Plan a kitchen range hood by capture geometry, verified airflow, smooth metal duct size and developed length, termination, noise, cleaning access, pressure and combustion safety, makeup air, commissioning, and a comparable installation quote.
Reuse or Replace a Refrigerant Line Set? Heat Pump
A productspecific homeowner checklist for deciding whether existing refrigerant piping can remain during an AC or heatpump replacement, including manufacturer permission, geometry, history, contamination, condition, testing, warranty, and fallback scope.
Replace, Repair, or Seal HVAC Ducts? A Scope and Quote
Choose between duct sealing, section repair, redesign, and full replacement using leakage, airflow, static pressure, room loads, material condition, contamination, accessibility, insulation, safety, commissioning, and comparable quote evidence.
Buying vs. Leasing Solar in 2026 Data (Guide & Data)
Residential solar credit rules changed after 2025. Here is the raw math on whether you should buy your panels for cash or sign a lease in 2026.
HEEHRA Income Limits 2026
A detailed, mathematically honest breakdown of Area Median Income (AMI) limits. Why dualincome households rarely qualify for the $8,000 HEEHRA rebate, and what to do instead.
Smart Thermostat Savings by Region 2026 Tool
How much money does a smart thermostat actually save? We analyze weather data, utility rates, and regional climate differences across North America to calculate the real ROI of smart heating and cooling control.
Is Home Battery Storage Worth It in 2026? Costs, Backup
Home batteries have evolved from emergency backups to active financial assets. We break down the real costs of Tesla Powerwall 3 and Enphase 5P in 2026, analyze Virtual Power Plant payments, and run the payback math.
Solar Panel ROI Timeline (2026 Guide & Data)
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves? We analyze the 2026 solar landscape, including California's NEM 3.0 battery mandates, Canadian Greener Homes interestfree loans, and local payback grids.
Cold Climate Heat Pump Performance Data 2026 Tool
Can heat pumps handle subzero winters? We audit realworld performance data, Coefficient of Performance (COP) curves in extreme cold, and actual utility bill impacts.
State Energy Rebate Stacking Guide 2026 Tool
How to stack 2026 home energy rebates without relying on expired federal credits, missed preapprovals, or duplicated incentive claims.