Practical cleaning, upkeep, and energy-saving guides for American homes.
A professional energy audit pinpoints where your home wastes energy using a blower door, an infrared camera, and safety checks. What to expect and how to find a qualified auditor.
A professional home energy audit typically costs $200 to $700, and many utilities subsidize it. What drives the price, what a blower door test adds, and when it pays off.
The biggest air leaks usually hide in the attic and basement, not around windows. How to find them with simple tools, from an incense stick to a thermal camera.
Weatherstripping is one of the cheapest ways to stop drafts. Which type fits each gap, how to install it on doors and windows, and how to tell it’s working.
Adding attic insulation is one of the best-value energy upgrades. How contractors do it, why air sealing comes first, what R-value to target, and how to choose an installer.
Blown-in attic insulation typically costs about $1 to $4 per square foot installed, or roughly $900 to $3,600 for many attics. What drives the price and how to save.
New windows can cut drafts and energy use, but they’re one of the slowest upgrades to pay back. How to read window ratings, typical costs, and cheaper fixes to try first.
Home solar typically costs about $2.50 to $3.50 per watt before incentives in 2026, and the 30% federal homeowner credit ended after 2025. What a system costs and how to judge a quote.
Whether a heat pump beats a gas furnace on running cost depends on your electricity and gas prices, your climate, and the equipment. How to run the numbers for your home.
The federal 25C and 25D tax credits ended after 2025, but state rebate programs, utility rebates, and weatherization help still cut upgrade costs. Where to look in 2026.