Solar payback by state 2026 — after the federal credit expired
All 50 states recomputed without the 30% credit. Sortable table + downloadable dataset. Losing the credit means ~43% longer payback, everywhere.
10 min · Updated July 2026
Library
All energy guides
23 guides and data studies. Real numbers from public datasets. No filler. Updated every quarter.
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
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
Dishwasher electricity cost: what you actually pay
Per-cycle vs per-year, why heated dry is the silent tax, and where the kWh really go.
7 min · Updated June 2026
Washing machine cost: it's the hot water, not the motor
Front vs top load, why cold washing cuts a load 80%, machine vs water-heating split.
7 min · Updated June 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