How to reduce your electricity bill in 2026
26 real tactics ranked by dollar impact. Sourced from EIA, Ofgem and metered utility audits.
18 min · Updated April 2026
Library
All energy guides
Real numbers from public datasets. No filler. Updated every quarter.
Solar panel cost in California 2026 — real numbers, real payback
Post-tax-credit, post-NEM-3.0 honest math. $/W by installer tier, county payback, financing trade-offs.
16 min · Updated May 2026
Heat pump vs gas furnace 2026: real ROI in 4 climates
Atlanta, Sacramento, Boston, Minneapolis side-by-side. When gas still wins. ccASHP at 0 °F.
15 min · Updated May 2026
Cost to charge an EV at home in 2026 — full kWh math
Tesla, Ford, Hyundai, GM. Home vs Tesla Supercharger vs Electrify America. Real per-mile cost.
14 min · Updated May 2026
How many watts does an air conditioner use?
Window, portable, central, mini-split. Real wattage by BTU rating and cost per hour.
7 min · Updated May 2026
Refrigerator electricity cost: what you actually pay
Old vs new, side-by-side vs French door. Why Energy Star matters on a 24/7 appliance.
7 min · Updated May 2026
Best US states for solar payback 2026 — post tax credit ranking
50-state ranking with NREL production and EIA rates. Hawaii 5.8 yr, California 7.4, Idaho 22.4. No federal credit.
15 min · Updated May 2026
Heat pump tax credit replacements by state 2026
Where rebates still exist after Section 25C was eliminated. Mass Save $10k, Maine $8k, NY Clean Heat $4-8k, and 15 more.
14 min · Updated May 2026
EV charging cost by state — CA · TX · NY · FL compared
Same Model Y, 4 states, charging from $155/yr (Con Ed TOU NYC) to $1,580 (PG&E peak SF). Utility-by-utility breakdown.
13 min · Updated May 2026
Time-of-use EV plans — when they save and when they backfire
The 4-step test to know if TOU works for your household. 4 winning + 5 backfire scenarios with real math.
12 min · Updated May 2026
What size solar system do I actually need? 5-minute sizing method
NREL formula + state factors + worked examples for SF, Atlanta, Boston and San Diego.
12 min · Updated May 2026
Solar + battery storage payback in 2026
Powerwall 3 math by utility regime. When it pays back (CA NEM 3.0, Hawaii) and when it doesn't.
13 min · Updated May 2026
EV vs gas TCO over 5 years — real math
Model Y vs RAV4 and F-150 Lightning vs F-150 EcoBoost. Every line item shown.
14 min · Updated May 2026
Whole-home electrification: order of operations
The 6-step sequence. Why "solar first" costs you $8-15k.
11 min · Updated May 2026
Phantom load: what 40 plugged-in devices really cost
Metered 40 devices. Big offenders, not-worth-bothering list, and the $25 fix.
9 min · Updated May 2026
Water heater 2026: tank vs tankless vs heat pump
Real annual cost, install cost, payback, lifespan compared.
10 min · Updated May 2026
Clothes dryer cost: electric vs gas vs heat pump
Per-cycle cost, annual total, when the upgrade pays back.
8 min · Updated May 2026
Pool pump cost: single vs variable speed
Why VS pumps cut 70% — affinity-law math + rebate map.
8 min · Updated May 2026
Space heater cost: what 1,500 W really costs
Ceramic vs oil-filled myth, real cost-per-hour, when a mini-split wins.
7 min · Updated May 2026
Mini-split heat pumps for apartments and condos
Window units, DIY kits, pro install. The 3 paths for renters and condo owners.
9 min · Updated May 2026
Missing a topic?
Tell us what appliance or scenario you want us to measure next. We prioritize topics readers request.
Suggest a guide