Questions answered
Going electric at home: your questions, answered
We read the search boxes and the forums, picked the 34questions that come up again and again, and answered each one from the people who should know: the IRS, the Department of Energy, EIA price data, NREL's solar model, and the makers' own manuals and spec sheets. Short answer first, then the numbers, then the sources. If we couldn't back an answer, we left the question out.
Home solar
- Is solar worth it in 2026 now that the tax credit is gone?
- Do solar panels work during a power outage?
- Do I need a battery with solar panels?
- Do solar panels work on cloudy days and in winter?
- How long do solar panels last?
- What is net metering?
- How many solar panels does it take to charge an EV?
- Is plug-in balcony solar legal in my state?
Home batteries & backup
- Is a home battery worth it without solar?
- How long will a home battery power my house in an outage?
- How many years does a home battery last?
- How long will a portable power station run a refrigerator?
- Should I get a power station or a gas generator for outages?
- Can I plug a generator or power station into a wall outlet to power my house?
- Can a power station run a space heater?
EV charging at home
- How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?
- Is charging an EV at home cheaper than buying gas?
- Do I need a Level 2 charger, or is a regular outlet enough?
- What size breaker and how many amps do I need for a home EV charger?
- Should I use a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire my EV charger?
- Can I charge my EV from my dryer outlet?
- Can I install a home EV charger myself, and do I need a permit?
Electric boating
Costs, credits & heat pumps
- Is there still a federal tax credit for solar panels or a home battery?
- Is there a federal tax credit for an EV or a home charger in 2026?
- Does a heat pump save money compared with a gas furnace?
- Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
- How much does electricity cost per kWh in my state?
- Why is my electric bill so high?
- Where can I find state rebates for solar, EVs and heat pumps?
Want your own numbers? The Go Electric planner works out what each switch saves in your state. Wiring a van, RV or boat instead? Our sister site CamperVolts answers camper electrical questions.