Home energy guides
Field-tested guidance on where to start, what to upgrade, and how to make the numbers work for your home. No jargon, no hype.
Featured reads
How to plan home energy upgrades without wasting money
Step-by-step plan to prioritize weatherization, right-sized HVAC, water heating, and solar so you avoid expensive missteps.
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace in Winter: How to Choose
Use your own rates, climate, and house to decide whether a heat pump, gas furnace, or hybrid wins your winter.
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27 articles
Attic insulation and air sealing cost in Boston, MA: what a good quote includes
Boston-area attic work varies widely. Use this guide to sanity-check pricing, compare bids, and avoid scopes that miss the air sealing details.
Duct sealing and balancing in Phoenix, AZ: cost ranges, hot-room fixes, and what to demand on the invoice
A buyer-intent guide for Phoenix homeowners with hot rooms and high summer bills. Learn what duct sealing and balancing includes, typical cost drivers, and how to compare quotes.
Heat pump vs gas furnace in Minneapolis, MN: costs, comfort, and how to compare quotes
A Minneapolis-focused guide to choosing a heat pump, gas furnace, or dual-fuel setup using your own rates, plus a quote checklist.
Heat pump water heater installation cost in Austin, TX: garage vs closet, noise, and ROI
A buyer-intent guide for Austin homeowners comparing heat pump water heaters, tankless, and standard tanks, including cost drivers, install details, and quote checklists.
Do you need a 200A panel upgrade in Denver, CO for a heat pump and EV? A load-check walkthrough and quote checklist
A Denver-focused buyer guide for heat pumps and EV charging. Learn when a 200A upgrade is needed, when you can avoid it, and what to ask electricians before you sign.
Tankless vs Tank Water Heaters: Costs and Comfort
A practical comparison of tankless and traditional tank water heaters; learn install constraints, operating cost differences, hot water comfort trade-offs, and safer ways to choose.
Should you close vents to save energy? Why it often backfires
Closing supply vents feels like it should cut your bill, but it often increases duct leakage, reduces comfort, and can stress HVAC equipment. Here is what to do instead.
Smart Thermostat Settings That Actually Save Money
A practical way to set schedules, setbacks, and temperature ranges for real bill savings; includes heat pump-specific tips and simple checks to confirm results.
Attic Insulation ROI: What You Can Really Save
Attic insulation is often the fastest payback home energy upgrade. Use realistic ranges, comfort clues, and our ROI calculator to estimate savings for your climate and bills.
Dual-Fuel Heat Pump + Furnace: When It Makes Sense
A practical guide to running a heat pump most days and a gas furnace as backup; learn when dual-fuel saves money, how controls work, and how to estimate your break-even point.
Repair or Replace HVAC: A Calm Decision Framework
Use equipment age, repair cost, safety, and comfort to decide whether to repair or replace your HVAC—and how to plan replacements before failure.
Best Home Energy Upgrades by Budget: $2k to $25k
A practical playbook for spending $2k, $10k, or $25k on energy upgrades—based on your bills, comfort issues, and equipment age.
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