Energy efficiency news.
Rebate updates, policy changes, and technology developments — aggregated from 50+ sources, AI-enriched, and scored for relevance.
Kia deploys 200 PV5 electric vans for mail delivery
Kia is supplying 200 electric vans to South Korea's postal service, The Korea Post, for mail delivery starting this month. The vans are a custom version of Kia's PV5 Cargo model, built after a pilot program where mail carriers at nine regional post offices tested the vehicles and gave feedback. Based on that input, Kia added features like door-damage prevention, an aluminum cargo floor, and a flatter cargo area to make loading and unloading easier. This is a commercial vehicle deal in South Korea, not a US consumer product, so it doesn't translate into anything you can buy or install at home. Kia is also throwing in EV training, charging setup help, and maintenance support for the postal service as part of the partnership. For homeowners, the news is mostly a sign of how electric vans are spreading into everyday delivery fleets. Kia now offers 10 different body styles built on the PV5 platform and is expanding similar partnerships with other organizations, including a utility company and a delivery firm. It has sold over 39,000 PV5 vans globally this year and plans to reveal a larger version, the PV7, next week. None of this affects home energy upgrades or rebates directly, but it's a reminder that electric vehicles are becoming more common in commercial use, which can eventually mean more charging infrastructure and technician familiarity with EVs in general.
New, 50-ton Volvo EC500 Electric excavator never needs charging
Volvo is testing a new electric excavator, the EC500, a 50-ton machine aimed at heavy jobs like quarrying, road building, and tunneling. It runs on an on-board battery good for two to three hours of continuous work, but it also connects to grid power through a 35-meter cable, so it can keep running shift after shift without stopping to recharge. The first pre-production unit is already working real job sites in Norway, and Volvo plans to launch the production version in spring 2027. This is heavy construction equipment, not something homeowners buy or rent for household projects. It has no direct bearing on home energy upgrades, rebates, or equipment you'd use around the house. The news is really about the construction industry's shift toward electric machinery and how companies are solving the charging problem for equipment that needs to run constantly. Worth knowing as background on where electrification is heading, but not something that changes any decisions about your own home.
California’s Landmark Tire Efficiency Standards Are a Win for Consumers, Climate, and Public Health
California has adopted the first efficiency standards in the country for replacement tires, a move that will affect anyone who buys tires for their car in the state. Less efficient tires waste energy through rolling resistance, so more efficient ones mean gas-powered cars burn less fuel and electric cars use less electricity per charge, stretching range and cutting charging costs. The state's Energy Commission estimates the standards will save Californians about $1 billion a year in energy costs once fully in effect, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 2 million metric tons annually. At the strongest phase of the program, the added cost is estimated at about $6.50 per tire, or $26 for a set of four — but a gas-vehicle driver would save around $179 over the life of those tires, meaning the extra upfront cost pays for itself in fuel savings within seven to eight months. The rules also include a minimum wet-grip requirement, meant to keep the poorest-performing tires off the market without sacrificing safety or tire lifespan. The rollout is gradual: the first phase starts in 2029, with the strongest requirements not taking effect until 2033, giving manufacturers years to adjust their product lines. Many efficient tires already on the market meet these standards today. For homeowners, the takeaway is straightforward — future tire purchases in California are likely to come with efficiency ratings built in, translating into lower fuel or electricity costs over the life of the tires, whether the car in the driveway runs on gas or electricity.
China Aims For 70% Plugin Vehicle Sales By 2030 — Hit 61% In August
China has set a new goal in its latest five-year plan: 70% of new passenger car sales should be plugin vehicles (battery electric or plug-in hybrid) by 2030. Commercial vehicles have a separate target of 40%. For context, plugin vehicles already made up 61% of China's car sales last month, so the government's own target is arguably modest compared to where the market already stands. Beyond the sales goal, the plan also addresses how the industry grows. It calls for tighter oversight of battery manufacturing capacity, stricter rules for new electric vehicle makers entering the market, and more mergers among automakers to cut down on inefficient production. The plan also pushes for stronger enforcement against unfair pricing and improper local subsidies, plus better tracking of industry data. Other areas covered include automotive computer chips, battery safety and charging speed, cold-weather battery performance, vehicle-to-grid technology (letting parked EVs feed power back into the electric grid), and heavy-duty electric trucks. None of this changes anything for homeowners right now. It is a look at how the world's largest car market plans to keep expanding electric vehicle sales and manage the industry behind it. If you already have or are considering an EV and home charging setup, it is a sign that battery technology and vehicle-to-grid features are likely to keep improving as manufacturers compete to meet these kinds of targets.
Musk promotes blatant Tesla FSD misuse as crash lawyers rejoice
This isn't about home energy upgrades, but here's the gist since it involves Tesla: Elon Musk recently shared a video of a 98-year-old Tesla owner named Larry, who uses the "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) system to get around and openly says he no longer watches the road, even at intersections. Musk added a heart emoji, and the clip has now been viewed more than 9 million times. The problem is that Tesla's own rules say FSD requires the driver to stay alert and ready to take over at any moment. The company calls it "FSD (Supervised)" precisely because it isn't self-driving in the full sense. Larry's comments, that he trusts the system 100 percent and doesn't feel the need to look at intersections, describe exactly the kind of use Tesla's disclaimers warn against. In the same video, the car actually misses a turn, underscoring that the system isn't error-free. This matters beyond one heartwarming clip because Tesla is facing numerous lawsuits over crashes involving Autopilot and FSD, and its main legal defense is that drivers are responsible for supervising the car. A Florida jury already ordered Tesla to pay $243 million in one such case, and the company faces billions more in claims. Critics argue that Musk publicly praising a driver who admits to not watching the road undercuts that defense and could hand ammunition to plaintiffs' attorneys in future cases.
Tesla reveals European Semi specs: 550 km range, 800 kW charging
Tesla has shared specs for the European version of its Semi electric truck, ahead of a formal launch at a trade show in Hannover, Germany this month. The European truck is rated for up to 550 km (about 342 miles) of range at 40 tonnes fully loaded, with charging at up to 800 kW that can restore roughly 60% of range in 30 minutes. That's less range and slower charging than the US version, which is rated at 500 miles on a larger battery and can charge at up to 1.2 megawatts. The lighter curb weight of the European truck suggests it may use a smaller battery pack than the top US model, though Tesla hasn't confirmed this. This is a commercial trucking story, not something that affects home energy upgrades directly. Tesla hasn't announced European pricing or a sale date yet, and it's still unclear whether these trucks will be built at Tesla's Nevada factory or in Berlin, where the company has previously said it planned to build the Semi. Automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, MAN, Scania, DAF and Renault already sell electric heavy trucks in Europe with established dealer and service networks, so Tesla is entering a market where competitors have a head start. None of this changes anything about home solar, batteries, or electrification incentives — it's simply an update on Tesla's freight-truck business as it expands into Europe.
Continuing post-Labor Day Green Deals hub – EVs, power stations, tools, smart devices, more [Updated]
This roundup is a shopping hub, not really home-improvement news. It pulls together end-of-summer sale deals on electric vehicles, portable power stations, tools, and smart home devices, mostly tied to Amazon's Labor Day sale event. Many of the discounts continue past the holiday itself, with some ending the same night and others running through the week or longer. For a homeowner weighing energy upgrades, the more relevant items here are the portable power stations and smart devices, which can play a role in backup power or home energy management, though this piece does not go into specifics on models, prices, or capacities. Tool deals are also included, but those prices are described as not having fixed end dates, meaning they could change at any time rather than expire on a set schedule. There is no mention of rebates, tax credits, or efficiency programs tied to these deals. This is a general tech and gadget sale roundup rather than news about a new incentive, policy, or technology standard. If you are curious about a specific category, like backup batteries for your home or smart thermostats, it may be worth checking current retailer sales directly, since this kind of roundup changes quickly and the underlying deals expire on their own timelines.
Podcast: Tesla Semi, mixed bag of EV sales, Chinese EVs in the US, and more
This week's Electrek podcast rounds up several EV industry stories, though most are aimed at car shoppers and industry watchers rather than homeowners with rooftop solar or home charging setups. Tesla revealed European specs for its Semi truck, an electric big rig, with 550 kilometers of range and 800 kW fast charging. Meanwhile, EV sales are climbing in Europe but falling in North America, and Volvo is discontinuing another electric model in the US, with a replacement planned for 2027. On the policy side, a senator raised concerns that the Trump administration might open the US market to Chinese-made EVs as part of a trade deal with China. Chinese automakers continue expanding their lineups abroad: Xiaomi launched four SkyNomad SUV models in China starting around $31,275, and BYD cut prices on its Denza Z9 GT with a new trim starting near $50,000. Nissan also gave an early look at its upcoming entry-level Pixo EV. None of this points to a specific rebate, incentive, or program change for home energy upgrades. If you're weighing whether to add an EV charger or solar setup at home, the bigger picture here is about the broader EV market: production, pricing, and trade policy shifts that could eventually affect which vehicles and chargers are available and how they're priced, but nothing in this roundup changes home energy programs or rebates you might already be considering.
Geely TT launches at $19,100 — half the price of a Tesla
This is car news, not a home energy story, but it touches on EV charging costs. Geely, a Chinese automaker, launched a new electric sedan called the TT priced from about $19,100, roughly half what a comparable Tesla costs. The car charges fast, adding close to 500 km (about 310 miles) of range in 11 minutes on a high-voltage system, and comes with driver-assistance features and a long range, up to 725 km (about 450 miles) on the top trim. It's aimed squarely at competing with another Chinese electric sedan, the Xiaomi SU7, undercutting it by a wide margin. For now, the TT is only sold in China, so it has no direct impact on US homeowners. But it's part of a broader trend of Chinese automakers pushing electric vehicle prices down while adding fast-charging technology. Geely has said it plans to enter the US EV market within two to three years, so cars like this one could eventually show up as options here. For homeowners already driving or considering an EV, the bigger relevance is charging costs at home. The cheapest way to fuel an EV is still charging it off your own rooftop solar, especially with electricity rates rising. If you're weighing solar to pair with an EV, it's worth checking what rebates or financing options, including no-money-down leases or power purchase agreements, are available in your state.
CAT puts century-old train tech to work in new, heavier electric drive dozer
Caterpillar has introduced a new electric-drive version of its D11 bulldozer, a massive machine used on large construction and mining sites. Rather than plugging into an outlet, it works like a diesel-electric train locomotive: a diesel engine spins a generator that powers electric motors at each track, instead of driving the tracks through a traditional mechanical transmission. Caterpillar says this setup cuts fuel use by up to 25% per unit of material moved, moves 5% to 10% more material per hour, and stretches the time between major engine rebuilds by up to 20% compared to the standard D11. This is heavy equipment news, not something that applies to home energy systems, but it's part of a broader shift toward electric drivetrains in construction machinery. Caterpillar already sells smaller electric-drive dozers, the D6 XE and D8 XE, and this new D11 XE is the largest yet. The company argues these machines lower total operating costs enough that fleet owners are adopting them for financial reasons as much as environmental ones, citing fuel savings, less maintenance, and lower noise. For homeowners, this story doesn't affect anything at your own house or any rebate program. It's worth knowing mainly as a sign that electrification is spreading into heavy industries that have relied on diesel for a century, alongside the more familiar shift toward electric water heaters, heat pumps, and other home equipment. There's no direct next step here for a homeowner planning upgrades.
Nissan undercuts Kia to retake the crown as Canada’s most affordable EV
This is car news rather than home energy news, but here's what's happening for anyone cross-shopping an EV alongside home upgrades like a charger install. Nissan has taken back the title of Canada's cheapest new EV. The 2027 Nissan Leaf S starts at CA$34,998 (CA$37,966 with fees), undercutting the Kia EV3 Light, which had just claimed the low-price spot at CA$36,995 (CA$39,744 with fees). The Leaf S also qualifies for Canada's Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP), a federal incentive that can knock the effective starting price under CA$30,000. The two cars trade off on range and power. The base Leaf S uses a 53 kWh battery, a 174-horsepower motor, and gets up to 341 km of range. Stepping up to the Leaf S+ and higher trims brings a bigger 75 kWh battery, 214 horsepower, and up to 488 km of range, but at a noticeably higher price (starting around CA$45,198). The EV3 Light comes with a 58.3 kWh battery and up to 356 km of range, while its larger 81.4 kWh battery option reaches up to 517 km. Both cars use the NACS charging plug, the same connector standard used by Tesla's network, so charging compatibility should be similar either way. In the US, pricing looks different: the Kia EV3 Light starts at $29,890, while Nissan only sells the Leaf with the larger 75 kWh battery, starting at $29,990. Anyone comparing these models for their own driveway may want to check current EV incentives in their province or state, since those can shift the real cost significantly.
Lynk & Co Chooses Volvo Cars As Exclusive European Distributor
Lynk & Co, an electric and plug-in hybrid car brand owned by China's Geely, has struck a deal to have Volvo Cars (also owned by Geely) become its exclusive distributor across Europe starting in January 2027. Lynk & Co currently sells in 25 European countries through more than 140 partner-operated sales points, and this new arrangement will route its cars through Volvo's dealer and service network instead. For homeowners, this is car industry news rather than anything tied to home energy upgrades or rebates. The practical effect, if you're in Europe, is that Lynk & Co vehicles should become easier to find and service, since they'll be sold through Volvo's established dealerships rather than a smaller standalone network. Volvo is a well-known, trusted brand in Europe, so this move is likely meant to make Lynk & Co look more like a premium option and boost its sales. There's no rebate, incentive, or program change here for households to act on. It's simply a business restructuring between two companies under the same parent group, aimed at expanding Lynk & Co's reach in the European market. If you're considering an EV purchase in Europe down the line, it may be worth knowing that Lynk & Co cars will eventually be sold and serviced at Volvo locations, but nothing changes immediately, and the shift doesn't take effect until 2027.
Wheel-E Podcast: ALSO e-bike delays, Nomadix e-moto, $900 for 45mph?, more
This is about electric bikes and small electric motorcycles, not home energy upgrades, but a few items touch on cost and access for people curious about electric transportation. Engwe has a new $900 off-road electric moto that reportedly hits 45 mph, while Juiced Nomadix has a $2,495 electric dirt bike that can reach 70 mph. Both are pitched as budget options in a category that's usually pricier. There's also a mixed update on e-bike rules: Illinois has made 40 mph e-bikes street legal, but with a significant catch attached to that change. Separately, Rivian's ALSO e-bike, which had generated interest for its design, is facing further delays and may be pushed back again. The rest of the roundup covers electric motorcycle news: Zero is reportedly adding a feature its bikes have lacked, and Evoke has a new $5,000 electric motorcycle capable of highway speeds coming to the US and EU. None of this involves home energy programs, rebates, or efficiency upgrades. If you're weighing a home energy project, this news doesn't change anything about available incentives or technology for your house. It's a snapshot of what's moving in personal electric vehicles and micromobility, useful mainly if you're curious about e-bikes or e-motos rather than furnaces, insulation, or heat pumps.
Volkswagen And Skoda Eye Investments In India
Volkswagen and Skoda have signed a preliminary agreement with Indian conglomerate JSW to explore building cars in India, part of a bigger push by Volkswagen to find new markets after sales in China have dropped off sharply. Under the tentative deal, JSW would hold 51 percent of the joint venture and Volkswagen 49 percent, meaning the Indian partner would have the final say on decisions. Volkswagen has tried and failed to gain a foothold in India before, partnering unsuccessfully with Suzuki, Tata, and Mahindra over the years. Skoda, which recently pulled out of China, sees India as its next big opportunity. The company doubled its India sales in 2025, and combined Volkswagen and Skoda sales there rose 36 percent to 117,000 vehicles, all gasoline-powered. If the JSW deal goes through, it could help fund electric vehicles based on Volkswagen's planned "India Main Platform," with electric models targeted for 2028. JSW already builds vehicles with Chinese automaker SAIC and plans its own electric car brand using technology from another Chinese manufacturer, Chery. For homeowners, this is mainly a story about where global automakers are placing their bets, not a change that affects electric vehicle choices or charging options here yet. India lacks much of the charging infrastructure and purchase incentives that helped electric vehicles take off in China, and the country's government has been noncommittal about incentives for buyers. Any electric Volkswagen or Skoda models coming out of this partnership would be built for the Indian market, not for import to the United States or Europe.
Upcoming electric Porsche Boxster spotted with no camo on Nurburgring
This story is about a car, not a home energy upgrade, so there's not much here for homeowners planning efficiency projects. Porsche was spotted testing an electric version of its 718 Boxster sports car at the Nürburgring race track in Germany, with almost no camouflage covering the vehicle. The sighting confirms the car is still moving toward production after rumors earlier this year suggested Porsche might cancel the electric Boxster project. Porsche's new CEO had already said in August that the company plans to build it. The electric Boxster is expected to arrive in 2027 and will share a platform with an upcoming electric Audi TT. Spotted details include reshaped front air intakes, headlights that resemble those on Porsche's Taycan sedan, smaller side air intakes since there's no gas engine to cool, and what looks like a charging door on the rear of the car. None of this affects home electricity use, rebates, or equipment choices for your house. If you already have an electric vehicle or plan to buy one, home charging setups and any related electrician or utility rebates would depend on the specific car and your local programs, not on this particular Porsche model, which remains a preview vehicle still in testing.
First look at Tesla Cybercab’s steering: a Cybertruck wheel bolted on
This is Tesla and robotaxi news, not a home energy story, so there is nothing here that affects a homeowner's own house or upgrade plans. For context: a pre-production Tesla Cybercab, spotted parked in Berkeley, California, showed the clearest look yet at how Tesla is testing a car it designed to have no steering wheel at all. Photos shared with Electrek showed a Cybertruck steering wheel bolted onto an exposed steering column inside the two-seat robotaxi, mounted on what looks like a temporary test rig. Tesla unveiled the Cybercab in 2024 as a purpose-built robotaxi with no steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors, priced under $30,000, and has been producing finished units at its Texas factory. But cars actually driving on public roads still need a human at the wheel for safety and testing rules, so Tesla adds borrowed hardware from other models for now. None of this involves home energy upgrades, rebates, or costs relevant to a house. It is simply an update on how Tesla is testing its self-driving robotaxi before the software and regulations exist to let it run without a person on board.
Yozma IN 10 Pro electric mini dirt bike new exclusive $1,699 low + IN 10 at $999, Lectric e-bike sale $792 savings, Anker SOLIX, more
This roundup covers deals on electric bikes and portable power stations rather than home upgrades, but the power station deals may interest homeowners thinking about backup power. Anker's SOLIX Hurricane Ready Power Sale is winding down, with a spotlight on the S2000 portable power station, including a deal for two units at $608 each. There's also a larger option, the 6,144Wh F3000 portable power station, which comes with a free home integration kit and is priced at $2,090. Portable power stations like these can keep essentials running during an outage, and the larger integration kits are meant to tie into home electrical systems rather than just charge devices on their own. The rest of the deals are for electric mini dirt bikes and e-bikes, which don't tie into home energy efficiency or rebates. Yozma's IN 10 electric mini dirt bike is discounted to $999, with an upgraded IN 10 Pro version at $1,699. Lectric is running an "Endless Summer Sale" on e-bikes, with bundle savings up to $792 and prices starting at $799. None of this is tied to energy-efficiency rebate programs or utility incentives, so there's no specific action for homeowners here. If you're already considering a backup power setup for outages, the Anker power station pricing might be worth a look before that sale ends, but the bike deals are unrelated to home energy planning.
BYD’s latest flagship SUV secured more than 12,000 orders within 24 hours
This news is about car manufacturing in China and doesn't connect to home energy upgrades or rebates, so there isn't a homeowner angle to draw out here. Still, here's what happened. BYD, the Chinese automaker, launched a new flagship SUV called the Sealion 08 on September 2 and says it collected more than 12,000 orders in the first 24 hours. The SUV comes in fully electric and plug-in hybrid versions, starting around $34,000. The electric version uses a large battery pack that BYD says can charge from 10% to 70% in five minutes, with a full charge taking about nine minutes. Range estimates run up to roughly 600 miles depending on configuration, though these figures come from Chinese testing standards that tend to run higher than U.S. ratings. The Sealion 08 is BYD's latest push into larger, more feature-heavy SUVs, following its Great Tang model, which reportedly drew over 30,000 orders in its first day earlier this year. BYD is best known abroad for smaller, cheaper EVs, but has been expanding into luxury SUVs, trucks, and other segments while also growing its presence in Europe and the UK through its Denza brand. None of this involves U.S. home energy programs, rebates, or equipment relevant to weatherizing or upgrading a house — it's simply a snapshot of how fast one Chinese automaker's newer vehicle lines are selling overseas.
Trump emergency order casts uncertainty over grid battery growth
A new federal order is adding uncertainty to the large batteries that utilities use to store solar and wind power on the grid. On August 26, the Trump administration declared a national emergency over cybersecurity risks in the power grid and banned bringing in or installing foreign-made "bulk-power system" equipment, including batteries, inverters, transformers, and the software that controls them. The order can even apply to equipment already installed, giving federal agencies power to force utilities to disconnect or replace it. The big question is how far this reaches. China supplies roughly 60% of the lithium-ion batteries used in U.S. grid storage projects, so if the ban covers battery cells themselves rather than just their control software, it could disrupt a large share of the market. The Department of Energy has until December 24 to issue rules clarifying what's actually banned, leaving developers in limbo. Some analysts say over 23 gigawatts of storage projects already under construction or financed could face delays or cancellations while the rules get sorted out. This is a utility-scale grid story, not something that affects home battery purchases directly, but it matters for the pace of clean power coming onto the grid generally. It also piles onto existing tariffs and other rules already discouraging use of Chinese batteries and solar inverters in U.S. energy projects.
What the record-high cost of diesel means for you
Diesel prices hit an all-time high of $5.98 a gallon as of September 10, up about $2.31 since late February, when the war between the United States, Israel, and Iran began. In California, diesel now costs $7.91 a gallon. The war has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that once carried 10 percent of the world's seaborne diesel, and Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries have added to the squeeze. U.S. refineries are already running at full capacity, and domestic fuel inventories are at their lowest level since 1982. Most households don't buy diesel directly, but they feel it through higher prices at the store, since diesel powers the trucks and ships that move most goods. Rising diesel and gas prices together have cost U.S. households an average of about $350 this year, according to a Brown University tracker. The bigger concern for many homeowners is winter heating. Heating oil is essentially diesel, and the millions of households that use it, mostly in the Northeast, could see unusually high bills this season. That risk is sharper because the Trump administration has proposed eliminating the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps cover fuel costs for lower-income households. Experts say even if the wars driving up prices ended immediately, it would take weeks or months for diesel supplies and prices to return to normal.
The Hidden Cost of Owning Ductless Minisplits
If you have a ductless minisplit (a wall-mounted heating and cooling unit that doesn't use ducts), it needs more cleaning than most people realize. A building science writer described taking his own unit apart and finding a clogged condensate line, a filthy blower wheel, and a drain pan crusted with dirt, microbial growth, and roach droppings. Insects are drawn to the water that collects inside these units, so the mess isn't just dust. He recommends cleaning a ductless unit once a year in milder climates, and at least twice a year in hot, humid regions, since more cooling time means more moisture builds up inside. Cleaning can be done two ways: pressure-washing the coil without full disassembly, or removing the covers, drain pan, and blower wheel for a thorough scrub with a hose, brush, and sponge. He warns that the electrical components sit close to the coil, so a misdirected spray can damage the unit, and suggests this may be a job for a professional rather than a do-it-yourself project. On cost, a basic cleaning (filters, a light coil rinse, condensate flush) runs $100 to $200. A deep cleaning, which includes removing the blower wheel, chemical treatment, and full disassembly, runs $200 to $400 per unit. If your home has several ductless heads, that maintenance cost adds up each year and is worth factoring into your budget before installing more of them.
RGGI Is Funding Lower Household Bills as Data Centers Spike Prices
A regional program called the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or RGGI, is helping keep a lid on electricity bills in Northeast and mid-Atlantic states even as rising demand pushes prices up. RGGI works by charging power plants for the carbon they emit and returning that money to states, which then fund energy programs. Since 2009, this has saved households and businesses $23 billion on their electricity bills, with 2024 funding alone cutting regional bills by $363 million a year. Most of that savings comes from investments in energy efficiency upgrades, like the Connecticut senior living community that got rebates in 2024 to install more efficient heating and cooling systems, lowering costs for residents there and for other customers on the grid. Lately, states have been shifting more RGGI money toward direct bill credits and rebates rather than long-term efficiency projects, especially in communities hit hardest by pollution. New Jersey now times its credits to high-usage months and gives extra help to customers at risk of losing service. Virginia increased bill credits for households, small businesses, and churches, and now shows the credit directly on bills. If you live in a RGGI state, this money may already show up as a credit on your electric bill or fund a local efficiency rebate program. The program is also being updated this year to keep prices stable through 2037. Since RGGI funding is expected to shrink over time as the power sector cleans up, this bill relief is not guaranteed to last, so it is worth checking what programs your own state currently offers.
Dig Energy completes first project with novel geothermal drilling tech
A startup called Dig Energy has finished its first commercial job, drilling seven boreholes for a geothermal heating and cooling system at a Boston office building. Geothermal systems use heat pumps to draw on temperature stored underground, and they're considered one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a building. The catch has always been cost: installing one can run up to five times more than a standard air-source heat pump, which is a big reason only about 1% of U.S. buildings use geothermal today. Dig's pitch is a new drilling method that could change that math. Instead of the usual approach, which drills a hole, lines it with a protective casing, then inserts a heat-exchange pipe, Dig's rig uses a high-pressure water jet to bore through soil and rock, leaving the drill pipe in place to serve as the heat exchanger. Because there's no need for a casing, the holes can be narrower, which the company says cut water use by 90% and leftover debris by 75% on the Boston job, while also making the process much quieter and easier to fit into a tight city site. Dig says the method could eventually cut drilling costs by as much as 80%. None of this changes what's available to homeowners right now, but it points toward geothermal heating and cooling becoming more affordable and practical in tighter spaces over time. Dig already has projects booked into mid-2027 and is working on an updated rig meant to speed up drilling further.
Megaprojects and Data Centers are Reshaping the Labor Market
Massive data center construction projects are pulling skilled tradespeople away from other work, and that's rippling through the broader construction industry, including the contractors who install and service home heating and cooling systems. Nearly 60% of contractors surveyed by industry groups say data center projects have increased competition for skilled workers, and workers moving into data center jobs, from electricians to project managers, often earn 25% to 30% more than before. Nearly half of contractors report rising wage pressure as a result. For homeowners, this is worth watching mainly because it could affect the cost and availability of contractors for heat pump installs, electrical upgrades, or other home efficiency work. Residential construction employment actually declined slightly over the past year while commercial and industrial building added workers, a sign that labor is shifting toward bigger projects. Experienced electricians, HVAC installers, and project leaders are especially scarce, and that shortage takes years to fix since new workers need time to gain the skills of those retiring or moving to higher-paying megaprojects. There's no specific program or deadline here that affects your home directly. But if you've noticed it's harder to schedule a contractor, or that quotes for electrical or HVAC work have gone up, this broader labor squeeze is part of the reason. It may be worth planning home upgrade projects with some flexibility on timing, since demand for the same skilled workers is being pulled in several directions at once.
Google bankrolls PG&E virtual power plant
Google is funding a new program with Pacific Gas & Electric that pays homeowners' home batteries and smart thermostats to help support the electric grid. Called SHARE, the program will run in two Northern California counties and aims to enroll nearly 21,000 existing home batteries and smart thermostats this fall, working through companies like Tesla, Sunrun and Renew Home. It's built as a "virtual power plant" — a network of small home devices that, combined, act like a power plant by adding capacity when the grid needs it. For homeowners already using these systems, PG&E says participating could lower net electricity bills while adding reliability to the local grid. Carrier, the HVAC maker, is also involved and plans to bring in newer devices: heat pumps (electric heating and cooling systems) with built-in battery storage of up to 10 kWh, which could eventually join the program as new resources. Google is paying for the whole thing and will run it through 2027, with early results expected late this year or in early 2027. PG&E says the idea is to prove that private companies, rather than ratepayers, can fund distributed energy resources at scale — partly to handle rising electricity demand from data centers and AI computing without raising rates or building new gas plants. If it works, the program could grow to include larger commercial and industrial equipment too. For now, it's limited to specific PG&E territory in Northern California, so homeowners elsewhere would want to check what similar programs, if any, exist through their own utility.
Cold Floors?
A homeowner in upstate New York wrote in about cold floors in a 1970s two-family house with electric heat and an unheated basement. He's already done a lot of upgrading: spray foam on the basement rim joists, foil-faced polyiso on the basement walls, new attic air sealing with R-60 cellulose insulation, and new windows, doors, and R-20 wall insulation. He also swapped a garage door for French doors and chose to add solar panels rather than a heat pump to offset his energy use. Even with all this work, the basement stays around 50 degrees in winter, and the floors above it are still cold. His open questions: whether to insulate the basement ceiling, add electric heat to the basement itself, or insulate the concrete basement floor with rigid foam board. He's also dealing with a second problem created by all this air sealing — the house is now tight enough that one side has a humidity issue, since the occupants don't use their bathroom fan regularly. He wants to add whole-house ventilation and dehumidification, but can't run ductwork through the basement (too damp, risk of condensation) or the attic (blocked by the thick cellulose layer). This is one homeowner's post to a building-science forum, not industry news. If you have a similar setup — an older house over an unheated basement, recent tightening or insulation work, and cold floors or a lingering humidity issue — this thread is a useful case to watch for people's suggestions, since it lays out common trade-offs: how to insulate a basement, whether to condition it, and how to plan ventilation once a house is sealed tight.
Do data centers really increase electricity prices?
A new podcast episode digs into a question a lot of homeowners have been asking: do data centers make electricity bills go up? The answer, according to Energy Impact Partners researcher Andy Lubershane, depends on whether you're looking locally or nationally. Locally, near a specific data center, rates often hold steady or even drop a bit. That's because utilities negotiate special contracts with these huge customers, making sure the data center pays enough to cover its share of costs, sometimes more. A recent EPRI study found that, on average, data centers have lowered nearby customers' bills by around 6 percent so far. Utilities are increasingly willing to promise rate cuts to win public support, since surveys show many people already oppose data centers over worries about energy use and cost. Nationally, the picture is different. The rapid buildout of data centers is straining supply chains for nearly everything utilities need: conductors, transformers, switchgear, and gas turbines have roughly doubled in price, and skilled labor is scarce. Combined with rising interest rates, tariffs, and the eventual expiration of renewable energy tax credits, these pressures are pushing electricity costs higher across the board, not just where data centers are built. So a homeowner might see a stable or lower bill if a data center lands in their own utility territory, while still facing higher costs over time from broader industry-wide price pressures. The guests suggest that home energy efficiency upgrades and flexible use of electricity (shifting when you use power) could help offset some of that national cost creep.
More than 70% of new solar is being built in states that voted for Trump
Solar power is booming fastest in states that voted for Trump, according to a new industry report. Eight of the top ten solar-building states in the first half of 2026 backed Trump in the last election, led by Texas and Florida. The country added more than 11 gigawatts of solar in the second quarter of 2026, up 45 percent from a year earlier, and these red states accounted for close to three-fourths of that growth. Industry leaders point to pro-business attitudes, more available land, easier permitting, and rising electricity demand from manufacturing and data centers as the reasons, rather than climate concerns. Some of that growth may not last. Congress ended federal tax credits early for most new solar farms as of July 4, 2026, which pushed developers to rush projects before the deadline and likely inflated this year's numbers. Rooftop solar for homes has already started declining in 2026 without those credits. Whether states keep building solar depends heavily on local sunlight and state policy. Texas, with strong year-round sun, is expected to keep growing. Michigan, a newer entrant to the top ten, has less sunlight but is being pushed forward by a state law requiring utilities to get half their power from renewables by 2030. For homeowners, the takeaway is that rooftop solar incentives are shrinking at the federal level, and what's available to you now depends heavily on your state's own clean energy rules and rebates, which are worth checking directly.
California PUC to revise general rate case plan around transparency goals
The California Public Utilities Commission has opened a review of how it sets electric and gas rates for the state's big utilities, including Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Gas. The process for approving these "general rate cases" — the filings utilities use to justify what they charge customers — hasn't been substantially updated since 2007. The commission says the goal is more transparency and accountability, with an eye on keeping bills affordable. California currently has the second-highest average electricity prices in the country, behind only Hawaii. The review will put in place several recent state laws, including one requiring utilities to report how their actual profits compare with what regulators approved, and another requiring more disclosure about long-term spending plans. One commissioner also raised the idea of tying utility profits more directly to performance, pointing to Hawaii's approach, which considers penalizing or rewarding utilities based on whether they hit targets like connecting new solar and battery projects on time, and requiring utilities to share profits with customers if they earn more than allowed. None of this changes your bill right away. The commission is taking public comments for 45 days and expects to hold workshops before deciding on changes. If it results in stricter oversight of utility spending and profits, it could eventually affect how fast rates rise in California, but any impact is still a long way off.
US solar can now power 50M homes – and red states led the boom
US solar has grown enough to generate as much electricity as more than 50 million homes use, over a third of all US households. That's a national industry milestone, not a sign that any specific home is running on solar power. The country added 11.4 gigawatts of new solar capacity in the second quarter of 2026, up 45% from a year earlier, with most of that growth coming from large utility-scale solar farms rather than home rooftop systems. Developers rushed to start these big projects before a July 2026 deadline to lock in federal tax credits. Rooftop solar for homeowners is a different story. The federal Residential Clean Energy Credit, which had covered 30% of the cost of a home solar or battery system, expired for any system installed after December 31, 2025. That credit is gone unless a new incentive replaces it. Even so, analysts at Wood Mackenzie expect homeowner interest in solar and battery storage to pick back up in 2027, as people keep looking for ways to cut electric bills and keep power running during outages. For now, if you're weighing a home solar or battery installation, the federal tax credit that used to sweeten the deal is no longer available for new systems. It's worth checking whether your state offers its own solar incentives, since those vary widely and some may still apply even with the federal credit gone.
ITC expiration led to surge in solar installs in Q2 2026
The U.S. added a lot of solar power in the second quarter of 2026 — 11.4 gigawatts of new capacity, up from 7.8 gigawatts in the first quarter. Most of that growth came from big utility-scale solar farms, which developers rushed to finish before a July 2026 deadline tied to a federal tax credit. The country now has enough solar capacity to power more than 50 million homes, over a third of all U.S. households. For homeowners thinking about rooftop solar, the picture is mixed. Residential installations actually fell 12% from a year earlier and 10% from the previous quarter, according to the industry report behind this news. That decline follows the expiration of the residential solar tax credit, which had helped offset the cost of home solar systems. Industry analysts expect the residential market to start growing again in 2027, as more people install solar to cut electricity bills and keep power running during outages. None of this changes what's available to any one household today, but it's a sign that the incentives that once made rooftop solar cheaper have shifted. If you're weighing a home solar installation, it's worth checking what federal, state, or utility incentives currently apply, since the credit that used to lower residential costs is gone for now and replacement support hasn't been detailed here. Utility-scale and commercial solar, by contrast, are still expanding quickly, with commercial installations up 11% year-over-year in the same quarter.
Mass. utilities and Hydro-Quebec sue each other over missing hydropower
Three Massachusetts utilities — Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil — are in a legal fight with Hydro-Québec over a new power line called the New England Clean Energy Connect, which started running in January. During a stretch of extreme cold in January and February, Hydro-Québec largely stopped sending power south for 12 days, diverting it to meet demand at home. The utilities say this cost them $40 million, since they had to buy pricier, dirtier power to fill the gap and purchase renewable energy credits to meet state clean-energy requirements. Hydro-Québec argues the cold snap was unforeseeable enough that its contract lets it make up the missed power later, since Quebec's grid operator, not the company itself, made the call to cut exports. Hydro-Québec is separately suing the utilities for $50 million it says it's owed for power that was delivered as promised, since the utilities have withheld payment. For homeowners, this dispute doesn't change anything directly about your utility bill or any rebate program. It's a sign that this new hydropower line, meant to bring cleaner electricity into New England and help meet state climate goals, has had reliability hiccups since coming online, including several outages beyond this one. Advocates say the line is still delivering real benefits and that volatile fossil fuel prices remain a bigger concern for energy costs than these interruptions. The outcome of the lawsuits could shape how future clean-power contracts with Canada, including possible offshore wind deals, are written.
CDX between drywall and vapor barrier–a problem?
A homeowner asked a building science forum whether it's a problem to put half-inch CDX plywood between drywall and a vapor barrier (a layer meant to control moisture movement through a wall). The worry was that sandwiching a solid material like plywood between two other layers might trap moisture, especially since drywall, even painted, still lets some vapor pass through. An expert who answered explained that this setup isn't a concern. What matters for moisture control is where the vapor barrier sits in the wall, not what materials are layered inside of it. As long as the vapor barrier stays on or near the interior (warm) side of the wall, the plywood, drywall, and everything else on that same side can be treated the same as any other interior wall material. The real risk for condensation is when warm, moist indoor air reaches a surface that's cold enough to be below the dew point — the temperature at which water vapor turns to liquid. Since the vapor barrier, plywood, and drywall in this case are all on the warm side of the wall, none of them get cold enough for that to happen. For homeowners planning similar wall assemblies during a renovation or new build, this is reassuring: adding a layer of plywood behind drywall, even with a vapor barrier already in place, doesn't create a hidden moisture trap, as long as the vapor barrier itself is positioned correctly within the wall.
Where the Candidates Stand: Brent Taylor on Climate & Energy
This is a look at the energy record of Brent Taylor, the Republican running for Tennessee's Congressional District 9, ahead of the November 3 election. As a state senator, Taylor voted for a 2025 law that classifies fossil gas as "clean energy," which stops cities and local power companies from counting it against their renewable energy goals. He also co-sponsored a 2023 law barring local governments from banning gas hookups or requiring new buildings to use only energy-efficient electric appliances, so cities can't set stricter efficiency rules than the state allows. On climate, Taylor voted for a 2023 law blocking Tennessee and its local governments from adopting sustainability goals tied to a United Nations voluntary development framework. On energy costs, his campaign says he'd address affordability by cutting federal spending and regulations rather than through efficiency or rebate programs. He also supports expanding oil, gas, and nuclear power. His record doesn't include a public position on electric vehicles or on energy justice issues. On data centers, Taylor backed a 2025 law meant to stop regular electricity customers from covering the cost of grid upgrades needed for large data centers, while letting those facilities generate or buy their own power without state regulatory approval. For homeowners in Tennessee's 9th District, this matters most as background on how a candidate might vote on state energy rules, appliance choices, and utility costs, rather than as news about any new rebate or upgrade program.
Solar industry delivers 11.4 GW in Q2, but growth remains constrained
The U.S. added 11.4 gigawatts of new solar capacity in the second quarter of 2026, up 45% from a year earlier, according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association and Wood Mackenzie. Texas led all states with 3.44 gigawatts installed, followed by Arizona and Florida. But the growth was uneven: big commercial and utility-scale solar projects drove the increase, while installations for individual homes and community solar projects actually declined compared to last year. For homeowners, that residential dip is worth noting if you have been weighing rooftop solar. The report does not spell out why home installations slowed, but it suggests the current boom is concentrated in large-scale projects racing to meet a July 2026 construction deadline tied to developers' tax credit arrangements. Solar's overall share of new power capacity also slipped, from 51% in 2025 to 45% in the first half of 2026, as wind projects picked up ground, including a large new wind farm in New Mexico. Looking ahead, analysts expect solar construction to stay strong through 2030 as these large pipeline projects get built, and they still predict U.S. solar capacity will roughly double over the next five years. But they flagged real uncertainty for the years after 2030, when a scheduled reduction in tax credits could make new projects harder to pencil out financially. None of this changes today's home solar incentives directly, but it is a sign that the broader solar market's momentum is shifting toward big commercial and utility projects rather than home rooftops, at least for now.
Insulating an old home that has sheathing
A homeowner with a 100-year-old house is renovating the foyer and living room and asked for advice on insulating the walls. The house has old wood plank sheathing, tar paper, clapboard siding, a deteriorating layer of foil paper, and aluminum siding over that. There's no modern water-resistant barrier (the layer that keeps water out while letting the wall dry), and the owner isn't planning to redo the siding. A previous owner had already filled the wall cavities with injection spray foam, which raised concern about whether the walls can still dry out properly. The plan under discussion was to add rigid foam insulation board (around 3/4 to 1 inch of XPS foam) against the existing sheathing, then add mineral wool (rockwool) insulation on top, working from the inside during the renovation. The question was whether the old tar paper and crumbling foil layer already on the outside of the house would cause moisture problems when combined with this rigid foam approach, especially since the home's climate zone doesn't require a vapor barrier and thin XPS foam does let some moisture pass through. This is a homeowner forum question rather than settled guidance, so there's no verdict here about whether the approach is safe for this particular house. Anyone with a similar old balloon-framed home with existing plank sheathing, aging tar paper, and no modern water barrier faces the same puzzle: how to add interior insulation without trapping moisture in walls that were built to dry a different way than modern construction. It's a reminder that older homes without a proper water-resistant barrier need extra thought before adding foam insulation to the walls.
Ford bids farewell to the F-150 Lightning as new Fathom and EREV pickups near
Ford has pulled the F-150 Lightning, its electric pickup, from sale. The truck was discontinued in December after a run as America's best-selling electric pickup, and Ford's website now treats the page as a farewell rather than a listing. In its place, Ford is rolling out two new trucks built on a new platform. The first is the Fathom, a smaller all-electric pickup starting at $28,350 (before a $1,595 delivery fee), due in early 2027 with production starting at Ford's Louisville plant. Ford says it will have more interior space than a Toyota RAV4 and will be the first vehicle with Apple Maps built into its navigation. The second replacement is an extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, which pairs a battery with a gas generator. Ford says this version will offer over 700 miles of total range and run on electricity alone about 90 percent of the time, addressing complaints that pricier all-electric trucks weren't selling well. This mainly matters if you already own an F-150 Lightning or were considering one. Ford says it will keep supporting current Lightning owners with software updates, service, repairs, and live support, so nothing changes for existing trucks. If you were shopping for one, though, you'll need to wait for the Fathom or the EREV pickup, both expected to arrive in 2027, with more details likely to come before then.
Where the Candidates Stand: Justin Pearson on Climate & Energy
Justin Pearson, the Democratic candidate for Tennessee's Congressional District 9, has built his platform around clean energy and lower utility bills. As a state representative and former community organizer, he has pushed the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the region's main power provider, to drop plans for new gas plants and move toward 100% clean energy instead. He argues this shift would help lower electric bills, pointing out that Memphis residents already pay a higher share of their income on energy than most other American cities. Pearson has also called on TVA to reverse restrictions on rooftop solar and to use federal incentives, including those from the Inflation Reduction Act, to expand solar power, battery storage, and home energy efficiency upgrades, especially in low-income and communities of color. If elected and these policies gain traction, that could mean more support or funding paths for homeowners looking to add solar panels or make efficiency improvements, though no specific programs or dollar amounts tied to his candidacy have been detailed. Beyond energy bills, Pearson has opposed the buildout of new gas infrastructure and criticized unpermitted gas turbines built to power a data center in Memphis, calling for a pause on large data center construction until rules are in place. His campaign does not include a stated position on electric vehicles. Tennessee's general election is November 3, with voter registration closing October 5 and early voting running October 14 through October 29.
Small House ERV Options
A homeowner building a small 900-square-foot cabin in northern Wisconsin asked for advice on ventilation for the project. The cabin will sit on a slab with radiant floor heat, kept at 55-60 degrees through the winter, with a mini-split (a compact heat pump with no ductwork) used to raise the temperature when the cabin is occupied, mostly on weekends. The question centered on choosing an ERV or HRV (energy or heat recovery ventilator, systems that bring in fresh air while recovering heat from the air being exhausted) sized for a small, part-time home, and whether bathroom and kitchen exhaust should run through the same system. This is a homeowner forum post rather than a resolved story, and no replies had been posted yet at the time it was shared. So there's no specific product recommendation or verdict to report. If you're planning something similar, the same two questions apply to your own build: what size and type of ERV or HRV fits a small, part-time-occupied home, and whether kitchen and bathroom exhaust make sense combined into one ventilation system or kept separate. Kitchen exhaust in particular often needs its own dedicated fan because of grease and higher airflow needs, which can complicate combining it with a whole-house ERV or HRV system. Anyone in a similar situation, a small cabin or seasonal home with radiant heat and intermittent occupancy, would face the same sizing and design questions before choosing equipment.
The Needle Is Beginning To Move On EVs, But Not Necessarily Because Of Fuel Prices
Electric vehicle sales in the US have not recovered even though gas prices jumped after fighting broke out involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route. Sales had already fallen sharply after Congress ended the $7,500 federal EV tax credit last year, and higher gas prices alone have not turned that around. Many drivers who did start shopping electric ended up choosing plug-in hybrids or range-extended hybrids rather than fully electric cars. A new industry survey, the HERE-SBD EV Index 2026, points to a different reason people are warming up to EVs: growing confidence in public charging. The US added 31,600 public charging stations over the past year, and charging speeds rose 47 percent. Positive views of public charging availability jumped from 28 percent to 47 percent of those surveyed, though concerns about range and charging access have not disappeared entirely. Buyers surveyed also said they now see EVs as a practical money choice, not just an environmental one, with better value, performance, and lower running costs cited as top reasons to consider one. Owners themselves report the experience beats expectations, with most saying charging and range were better than they thought and most planning to buy another EV. For homeowners, the relevant thread is charging access. More chargers are now showing up at convenience stores, travel centers, and fast-food restaurants, not just gas stations, which matters especially for anyone who cannot charge at home, including many people living in apartments or condos.
Reliability risks emerge across BIPV, floating PV and agrivoltaics
A new report looks at solar panels installed in less conventional ways: built into buildings (called BIPV), floated on ponds or reservoirs (FPV), and shared with farmland (agrivoltaics, or AV). The findings mostly matter for people designing these systems, but they offer a useful reality check for homeowners thinking about solar on their own property. For panels built into roofs or walls, heat buildup turns out to depend heavily on how the system is installed. Fully sealed, unventilated roof setups can get hot enough to need special heat-tolerant panels, but roofs and walls with some airflow behind them stay within normal limits. Shade from chimneys, trees, or nearby buildings is also a bigger issue than often assumed, since it can shorten a system's lifespan, not just cut its output. The report notes that "shade-tolerant" is a marketing term without any standard test behind it, so that label alone does not guarantee much. Floating solar, still rare on home properties, does not automatically run cooler just because it sits on water. Whether it stays cool depends on the design and on whether nearby buildings or trees block the wind. And for farm-based solar, ammonia from fertilizer or livestock can corrode panel frames and wiring over time, while dust and dirt buildup varies widely depending on the setup. None of this changes what rebates or incentives are available, but it is a reminder that unusual solar installations, on a roof facade, over water, or on farmland, need designs matched to their specific conditions, not just standard ground-mounted assumptions.
A new Arizona plant is going after the rare earth supply crunch
A company called Cyclic Materials has opened a large rare earth recycling plant in Mesa, Arizona, the kind of facility that could eventually mean more of these materials get sourced domestically instead of from overseas. Rare earth magnets are used in EV motors, wind turbine generators, and a wide range of electronics, and most of that supply chain has been concentrated in China, which leaves manufacturers exposed to trade disruptions. The Mesa plant can process up to 25,000 metric tons of magnet-bearing products a year, pulling them apart to recover magnet material along with copper, aluminum, and steel. More than 7,000 metric tons have already arrived at the facility, and the company expects to start shipping recovered material to US customers later this month. Cyclic is also building a second site in South Carolina, expected to open in 2028, that will handle both magnet recovery and further refining. This is mainly industry news rather than something that changes what a homeowner needs to do right now. But if you're weighing an EV purchase, a heat pump, or other electric equipment down the road, more domestic rare earth recycling capacity could help ease supply pressures and pricing for the motors and components inside that equipment over time. There's no rebate, program, or direct action tied to this for homeowners today.
HPWH as hydronic supplement for A2AHP
A homeowner in a cold climate (zone 7b) posted a question on a building science forum about a homemade fix for a common complaint: their air-to-air heat pump (a system that pulls heat from outside air and blows it into the house) struggles on the coldest nights, forcing backup electric heat strips to run for hours, which drives up bills. The idea: buy a used heat pump water heater (a water heater that extracts heat from the air around it, rather than using an electric element) for under $500, and put it in a carport shed that gets strong sun exposure. During the day, the shed's warm air would help the water heater heat water efficiently. That hot water would be stored in spare tanks, then pumped through a fan coil (a small radiator-and-fan unit) at night or in early morning to add extra warmth when the main heat pump can't keep up. The poster estimated the shed roof could collect more than 40 kWh of solar heat per day in winter, potentially banking a meaningful amount of heat this way, though they noted the water heater's compressor size might limit how much heat it can actually store each day. This is a homeowner's personal DIY concept posted for feedback, not an established product or program. No pricing, rebate, or installation guidance came with it. If your own heat pump also struggles on very cold days, this illustrates one way people are experimenting with combining a water heater and stored hot water as backup heat, though it remains an untested, individual project rather than a proven or supported approach.
Tesla Cybertruck Powershare finally backs up homes with a Powerwall 3
Tesla says its Cybertruck can now work alongside a home Powerwall 3 battery to back up a house during an outage, closing a gap that has frustrated owners for nearly two years. Until this update, homeowners with a Powerwall couldn't also use the truck for backup power — it was one or the other. Now the two can run together: the Powerwall 3 handles the home as usual, while the Cybertruck's much larger battery extends how long the power stays on. Tesla says the combination adds more than three days of extra backup, equal to adding nine more Powerwalls, since the truck's battery is roughly nine times the size of a single Powerwall's storage capacity. This feature, called Powershare, works by sending power from the truck into the house through equipment called a Universal Wall Connector and a Powershare Gateway, which together typically cost around $4,000 installed, though some owners have reported quotes far higher. Powershare launched with the Cybertruck in late 2023, but combined use with a Powerwall was promised for 2025, then pushed back again to mid-2026, and only now has arrived. Tesla has said the delay came from the technical challenge of getting the truck and the Powerwall to safely coordinate power together. For homeowners who already have a Cybertruck and a Powerwall, or are considering both, this update means the two can finally be used together for outage protection rather than as competing options.
Target delays key emissions goals
Target has pushed back its climate goals. The retailer, which runs almost 2,000 U.S. stores, now aims for net zero by 2050, a decade later than originally planned. It also delayed its target of cutting "Scope 3" emissions (the indirect emissions from making, shipping and using its products) by 32.5 percent, moving that deadline from 2030 to 2035. Target made fast progress on this goal in 2022 and 2023 but slowed in 2024 and 2025, and the company said further cuts will require broader changes to energy systems and infrastructure. Other large companies, including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Starbucks, have made similar delays recently. There was better news on a different measure: Target hit 100 percent renewable electricity use in 2025, five years ahead of schedule, up from 76 percent in 2024, largely by buying more renewable energy certificates. On packaging and waste, results were mixed. Target diverted 88 percent of its waste from landfill, just short of its 90 percent goal for 2030. But it missed its 2025 deadline to cut virgin plastic in its store-brand packaging by a fifth — plastic use actually rose 3 percent, which the company blamed on supply issues and higher sales. It also fell well short of a pledge to make all store-brand plastic packaging recyclable, compostable or reusable, hitting just 41 percent instead of 100 percent. Walmart recently missed similar packaging targets as well. None of this changes anything for shoppers directly, but it reflects a broader pattern of big retailers scaling back or delaying climate and waste commitments.
Op-ed: Energy storage is cheap to build, expensive to run
Battery storage (systems that store electricity, often paired with solar) has been getting cheaper to build. Battery costs have dropped from $300-$400 per kilowatt-hour in the early 2010s to $180-$250 by 2023, with some industry estimates now near $125/kWh for large utility projects. That's made batteries look like an easy fix for backup power and managing energy costs. But the upfront price tag only covers part of the picture. What matters more for figuring out true cost is the levelized cost of storage, a way of calculating what each unit of electricity from the battery actually costs once you account for its full lifespan. Two projects with identical equipment and installation costs can end up nearly 40% apart in real cost, depending on things like how long the battery is expected to last, how efficiently it charges and discharges, how often it's used, how much its capacity fades over time, and ongoing operating costs. Batteries also lose some capacity every year, typically 1 to 2.5%, so a system rated at a certain size on day one delivers less over time. For a homeowner, the takeaway is that a home battery's sticker price doesn't tell the whole story. The warranty length, guaranteed efficiency, and expected capacity loss over the years matter just as much as the upfront cost when weighing whether a battery will actually save money over its lifetime.
United States on track for record crude oil production in 2026
The U.S. is on pace to pump more crude oil than ever in 2026, with production expected to average 13.8 million barrels a day, edging past last year's record of 13.7 million. Most of the growth is coming from two places: the Permian region in Texas and New Mexico, and federal waters in the Gulf of America. In the Permian, higher oil prices are driving the increase. Crude has averaged $84 a barrel this year, well above the roughly $63 to $69 a barrel that companies there need to break even, so drilling has picked up. In the Gulf, four new offshore projects that came online over the past year or so are adding output, with a handful of smaller ones expected to start by year's end. Hurricane season could still disrupt Gulf production, though forecasters expect a milder-than-usual season this year. For homeowners, this is background context rather than something requiring any action. More domestic oil production can influence prices at the pump and, over time, feed into costs for things like heating oil or propane, though this report doesn't say how much prices might move. If you're weighing a switch away from oil or gas heating toward electric options like a heat pump, supply trends like this are one small piece of a bigger picture that also includes local utility rates, available rebates, and your own home's insulation and air sealing (reducing drafts and gaps that leak heated or cooled air).
Solar generation expected to grow 21% this year, 18% in 2027: EIA
The federal government's Energy Information Administration expects U.S. electricity use to grow 2% this year and 2% again in 2027, driven largely by data centers and manufacturing growth. That extra demand is pulling more solar power onto the grid: the agency forecasts solar generation will grow 21% in 2026 and 18% in 2027, with wind generation up 7% and 5% those same years. Natural gas generation will also grow modestly, while coal-fired generation keeps shrinking, down 8% this year and 6% next year. Most of the new solar is concentrated in Texas's ERCOT grid and the Midwest's MISO region, not spread evenly across the country. Businesses, not homes, are driving most of the demand growth — commercial electricity sales are expected to rise faster than residential use. For homeowners, this is mostly background context rather than a direct call to action. It signals that the power flowing into the grid is shifting toward more solar and wind and less coal, which can affect the mix of energy behind your electric bill over time, especially if you live in Texas or the Midwest. It does not change any rebate programs, deadlines, or home upgrade incentives on its own. If you are weighing rooftop solar or other upgrades, the bigger picture is simply that solar is becoming a larger share of the grid nationally, and growth is fastest in a handful of states rather than uniform everywhere.
Prefab Doesn’t Just Move Field Work into the Shop
This is industry news about how mechanical contractors build heating and cooling systems, not something that directly changes what a homeowner needs to do. Hermanson Company, a commercial mechanical contractor, opened a new pipe fabrication shop in Kent, Washington, where workers assemble piping systems in a factory-like setting before shipping them to job sites for installation. This approach, called prefabrication, is common in large commercial projects like data centers and battery plants, but the same principle applies at a smaller scale to residential heating and cooling upgrades: work done off-site in a controlled shop tends to be more precise and predictable than work done entirely in the field. The company's larger point is that having a bigger shop isn't enough on its own. Prefabrication only works well when designs are finalized early, materials are ordered on time, and everyone involved communicates clearly. If any of that breaks down, the shop can't fix it after the fact. For a homeowner, there's no direct action here. But it's a useful reminder that when a contractor talks about "prefabricating" parts of your HVAC or plumbing system, that generally means less on-site guesswork and fewer delays, provided the project is well planned from the start.
Join USGBC at New York City Climate Week 2026
This is a heads-up about an industry conference, not something that directly changes what's available to homeowners. The U.S. Green Building Council is taking part in Climate Week NYC, running September 20 to 27, 2026, followed by its own Greenbuild conference in New York from October 20 to 23. These are gatherings for building professionals, policymakers, and industry groups to discuss topics like healthy buildings, climate resilience, and retrofitting older buildings. Some of the sessions do touch on issues that eventually trickle down to homeowners. There's discussion of financing tools for building retrofits, including something called C-PACE, a financing method that lets property owners pay for energy upgrades over time through their property taxes. There's also talk about decarbonization planning tools, grid-friendly building strategies, and low-carbon building materials. A separate track focuses on indoor air quality, including in schools. None of this translates into a new rebate, deadline, or program you can apply for right now. It's essentially a preview of where industry conversations are headed on things like resilience against extreme heat and flooding, and financing for building upgrades. If any of these discussions lead to new programs or funding mechanisms that reach individual homeowners, that would be news to watch for later, but nothing here changes what's available to you today.