Quiet Cordless Compressor

This one is a tool review, not an energy-efficiency or rebate story, so it doesn't connect to home upgrade planning or savings programs. Still, here's what it covers, since some homeowners do their own trim and finish work.

A reviewer spent a year testing the Makita 40V max cordless XGT 2-gallon air compressor, a battery-powered unit used to run nail guns without a hose or gas engine. He says it runs at about 68 decibels, roughly the volume of normal conversation, and weighs 21 pounds without the battery, about a third lighter than a comparable competitor's model. That combination of quiet operation and light weight makes it easy to carry between rooms or up and down stairs, which the reviewer says is useful on renovation jobs where people are nearby.

The compressor puts out up to 135 psi and 1.2 cfm of airflow at 90 psi. Makita says one fully charged 8.0-amp-hour battery can drive up to 1,400 nails. It has limits: the small tank isn't meant for heavy jobs like framing or roofing, and it can't run more than one tool at a time. Getting full performance also depends on using the larger 8.0-Ah battery. The tool costs about $500 without a battery, and the reviewer says it's best suited for finish carpentry, cabinet work, and general remodeling tasks rather than big structural jobs.