Performance & Efficiency
Discover expert strategies to lower energy bills and improve comfort with guides on air sealing, exterior insulation, and thermal weatherization upgrades
Hook Up a Portable Generator Safely With an Interlock or Transfer Switch
A step-by-step guide to a legal portable generator hookup: interlock kit versus transfer switch, sizing the generator, matching cord and inlet ratings, and the outage sequence.
Prep Your Garage for a Level 2 EV Charger
A step-by-step guide to getting a garage ready for a Level 2 EV charger: panel capacity, the load calculation, the conduit run, and where the electrician takes over.
Read a Solar Quote Like an Engineer, Not a Salesperson
A step-by-step guide to decoding rooftop solar quotes: production estimates, inverter choices, utility escalators, dollars per watt, and honest payback math.
Get Your Roof Solar-Ready Before the Installer Shows Up
A step-by-step guide to preparing a home for rooftop solar: roof age math, a DIY shade study, structural weight check, conduit path, and electrical service review.
Seal It Up: Weatherproofing Your Home Before the Seasons Turn
A DIY weatherproofing checklist: find air leaks, caulk exterior gaps, add weatherstripping and door sweeps, and cut drafts for about $40 in materials.
The DIY Energy Audit and Air-Sealing Weekend That Pays Rent
A step-by-step guide to a DIY energy audit and air-sealing weekend: smoke-pencil leak hunting, attic top plates, foam and caulk targets, and weatherstripping.
Top Up Attic Insulation to R-49 the Right Way
A step-by-step guide to topping up attic insulation: air-seal first, install baffles, choose blown-in over batts, and verify depth with rulers every ten feet.