Tools in This Collection
Solar Panel Sizing Calculator
Calculate system size from monthly kWh usage and location sun hours
Solar Panel ROI Calculator
Calculate solar payback period and 25-year savings against utility rates
Home Battery Sizing Calculator
Determine battery storage capacity for backup power or load shifting
Gravel Calculator
Convert coverage area and depth to tons or cubic yards of gravel
Sand Calculator
Calculate sand volume for paver bases, play areas, and masonry projects
Siding Calculator
Estimate square footage, waste factor, and panel count for any exterior
Lumber & Board Foot Calculator
Convert project dimensions to linear feet and board feet for purchasing
Pool Volume Calculator
Calculate pool volume in gallons for rectangular, oval, and kidney shapes
Pool Chemical Calculator
Balance chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer levels all season
Plan Solar, Landscaping, and Outdoor Projects
The average US home uses about 10,500 kWh per year. A 6 kW solar system in a moderate sun climate (4.5 peak sun hours daily) generates approximately 9,855 kWh annually — enough to cover 94% of that usage. The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit applies through 2032, making now a favorable time for solar installations. These calculators help you size systems accurately and estimate real ROI before getting contractor quotes.
Solar System Sizing and ROI
Start with the Solar Panel Sizing Calculator, which translates your monthly kWh usage into a system size recommendation based on your location's peak sun hours. A home using 900 kWh/month in Phoenix (6.5 peak sun hours) needs about 4.6 kW of panels; the same home in Seattle (3.5 peak sun hours) needs 8.6 kW. Panel output degrades roughly 0.5% per year — the calculator accounts for this in long-term production estimates.
The Solar Panel ROI Calculator shows your break-even timeline against current utility rates. At $0.12/kWh with a $18,000 system after the 30% tax credit, most homeowners break even in 8-11 years on a system warranted for 25 years. The Home Battery Sizing Calculator determines storage capacity needed for backup power or load shifting — a 10 kWh battery covers essential circuits for 12-24 hours depending on your critical load profile.
Landscaping Material Calculations
The Gravel Calculator converts your coverage area and depth to tons or cubic yards of gravel or crushed stone. A 20x30 ft driveway at 4 inches deep needs about 7.4 cubic yards (roughly 12-13 tons) of compacted gravel base. The Sand Calculator handles paver base sand, play sand, and masonry sand calculations. For siding replacement, the Siding Calculator estimates square footage, waste factor, and panel count for any exterior.
The Lumber and Board Foot Calculator converts project dimensions to linear feet and board feet for purchasing. Pool owners should use the Pool Volume Calculator for any shape — rectangular, oval, or kidney — and then the Pool Chemical Calculator to balance chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer levels throughout the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar panels do I need for my home?
A typical US home using 900 kWh per month needs a 6-8 kW system to cover most of its electricity use. The exact panel count depends on panel wattage — a 6 kW system with 400W panels requires 15 panels. Location matters significantly: homes in Arizona need 30% fewer panels than homes in the Pacific Northwest due to sun hours. Use the Solar Panel Sizing Calculator with your actual monthly usage and location for an accurate estimate.
What is the federal solar tax credit in 2026?
The Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) provides a 30% federal tax credit on the total installed cost of a solar system through 2032. For a $25,000 system, that's a $7,500 credit applied directly against your federal income tax. The credit applies to panels, inverters, battery storage, and installation labor. It is a credit (not deduction), so it reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar.
How much gravel do I need for a driveway?
A standard gravel driveway needs 4 inches of compacted gravel base. For a 12x50 ft single-car driveway, that's 22 cubic yards (about 33 tons) of gravel. Add 10-15% waste for settling and edges. Gravel is typically sold by the ton — one ton covers about 100 sq ft at 2 inches deep. Use the Gravel Calculator to get your exact quantity based on your driveway dimensions and desired depth.
How do I balance pool chemicals?
The correct order for pool balancing is: (1) adjust alkalinity to 80-120 ppm, (2) adjust pH to 7.2-7.6, (3) adjust calcium hardness to 200-400 ppm, (4) add stabilizer (cyanuric acid) to 30-50 ppm for outdoor pools, then (5) shock and set chlorine to 1-3 ppm. The Pool Chemical Calculator shows the exact amount of each chemical to add based on your pool volume and current test results.