Calculator FAQs
What is my estimate based on?
Every estimate starts from the actual monthly utility bill you enter, so the numbers scale to your real usage instead of a generic household. Your bill is the anchor for everything else.
Does it use my local energy rates?
Yes. It looks up your utility and electricity rate by ZIP code and applies regional gas and gasoline prices, because energy costs vary dramatically from one area to the next. The same home can save very different amounts depending on where it is.
How does it model my home's energy use?
It breaks your home's energy into distinct end-uses — heating and cooling, water heating, everyday "base" load like lights and appliances, and transportation — then applies each technology you're considering at its real-world efficiency. For example, a heat pump moves roughly 3–4 units of heat per unit of electricity, versus burning gas for heat.
Does it account for seasonal changes?
Yes. Heating, cooling, hot water, and solar production are each shaped month by month, so summer AC peaks and winter heating show up in the results rather than being averaged into a single flat yearly number.
How is my savings number calculated?
It computes your current annual energy cost and your projected cost after the upgrades you select, then compares the two. The difference is your estimated annual savings — and we also project it out over the lifespan of the equipment.
How is solar handled?
Solar production is netted against your home's electricity use first, then against your EV charging, month by month — rather than assuming a blanket percentage off your bill. That keeps solar estimates grounded in when the sun is actually producing power.
Is this an exact quote?
No. The results are directional estimates based on modeled averages and typical equipment performance. Your actual savings depend on your specific home, your habits, and final pricing from an installer — which is exactly what a vetted local installer in our network can give you.
Curious about the science behind our efficiency assumptions? See The Research Behind the Numbers on the Tech page.