Sarah Mitchell
Home Energy Specialist & DIY Consultant
GreenSaveHome · Last updated May 2026
60+
Guides written
12+
Years experience
4
Solar systems installed
2
Certifications
Why I Started This Site
In 2020, after a 5-day power outage knocked out my entire neighborhood in New England, I spent $480 on a gas generator that broke on day three. That was the moment I got serious about home energy independence.
I'd already been doing home energy work for seven years — auditing, insulating, running the numbers on solar for myself and neighbors. But the outage pushed me to go all-in: I installed a 9.2 kW solar system with a 10 kWh battery backup, documented every step, and posted it online. The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of homeowners had the same questions I'd had, and couldn't find straight answers through contractor sales pitches and jargon-heavy government sites.
GreenSaveHome is the guide I wish had existed when I started. Every article is based on real projects, real invoices, and real results — not estimates from a brochure.
My Background
- 12+ years of hands-on residential energy work across New England and the Mid-Atlantic
- BPI Certified Building Analyst — trained in blower-door testing, thermal imaging, combustion safety
- NABCEP PV Associate — solar design, string sizing, interconnection
- Personally installed or co-installed 4 residential solar systems (5.8 kW – 12 kW)
- Energy audited 20+ homes for friends, family, and local community members
- Tested 40+ smart home devices, power stations, and monitoring tools
Project Timeline
First solar install — 5.8 kW rooftop system, Connecticut home. Reduced bill by 74%.
Completed BPI Building Analyst certification. Started consulting for neighbors.
Full air-sealing + blown-in insulation retrofit on a 1960s ranch house. Heating costs dropped 41%.
Installed 9.2 kW system + 10 kWh battery backup after 5-day outage. Wrote the guide that became this site.
NABCEP PV Associate certification. Expanded to cover EV chargers and heat pumps.
Launched GreenSaveHome. 60+ in-depth guides covering every major home energy upgrade.
How Every Guide Is Written
Every article on GreenSaveHome meets these standards:
- Real numbers only. Cost estimates come from actual invoices or verified market data.
- Failures get documented. If something went wrong on a project, it's in the article.
- Primary sources cited. ENERGY STAR data, DOE reports, utility tariff sheets — not just other blog posts.
- Updated when things change. Incentive amounts and product prices change. I update articles when data goes stale.
- No advertiser influence. Products are ranked by performance and value, not commission rate.
Topics Covered
- Solar DIY — panel selection, installation walkthroughs, battery storage, net metering, state incentives
- Smart Home — thermostats, smart plugs, EV chargers, whole-home energy monitors
- Insulation & Air Sealing — attic insulation, spray foam, weatherstripping, blower-door testing
- Heating & Cooling — heat pumps, mini-splits, tankless water heaters, HVAC maintenance
- Rebates & Incentives — federal tax credit, state rebates, utility programs, time-of-use rates
How This Site Makes Money
Full transparency on how GreenSaveHome earns revenue:
- Affiliate commissions. Some product links (Amazon, EcoFlow, Jackery, Renogy) are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Commission rates do not influence rankings or recommendations.
- Lead referrals. For readers who prefer professional installation, I partner with CleverHomeEnergy.com to connect homeowners with vetted local contractors. I only refer readers who explicitly want professional help.
Corrections & Contact
Found a factual error, outdated price, or broken link? I take accuracy seriously and will correct it within 48 hours. Email me at contact@greensavehome.com.