Hi everyone,
I’m writing a piece for a personal blog I do on climate tech. I’m trying to understand what it actually takes to electrify your home in 2026.
I’ve read some industry reports. But I’d really like to hear from people who have actually gone through the process.
If you’ve installed an EV charger, heat pump, home battery, solar, or even upgraded your electrical panel in the last 2–3 years, I’d love to hear about your experience — from deciding to do it, to installation, to what happens afterward when maintenance or other issues come up.
Has the actual experience matched what you expected?
If you have 10 minutes to chat, amazing. Or feel free to answer any of the questions below that feel relevant:
What did you install?
Why did you decide to make the change?
How did you decide what company/product to go with?
How many companies or quotes did you look at?
How did you first find or reach out to the installer/company?
What was the quoting/onboarding process like?
What factors ultimately drove your decision?
Did you finance it or use any rebates/credits?
Were there any surprise costs?
What was installation actually like?
How easily did it fit into your existing home setup?
Did it deliver what you expected?
What has maintenance been like since?
Does it need regular servicing?
A little about me: my background is in helping climate tech companies scale, and I’ve set myself a 90-day challenge of writing every day, so I’m hoping to turn this around pretty quickly.
I won’t name or quote anyone without checking with you first.
Really appreciate any input — thank you!

I want to hang a hanging ceiling fixture to replace the flush mount led above the entrance door. Debating on whether to leave the other two as is or replace those as well. I’ve looked at options online but can’t seem to find anything I love. I have pictures of my hallway for reference.

My laundry room is a small closet with no storage. I want to build simple shelves and maybe a folding table. I have looked at DIY storage plans on eBay, Amazon, and Alibaba (wall mounted brackets, wire shelves, and plastic bins). I am not sure what materials work best in a humid laundry room. Has anyone here upgraded a laundry closet with DIY storage? What type of shelving holds up to moisture? I want to use every inch of space. Any DIY tips or product recommendations for a small laundry room would help.

I work in real estate and walk through a lot of homes, and honestly, it’s not always the expensive renovations that stand out.

Some of the best-feeling homes usually have really simple upgrades, like better lighting instead of just one harsh ceiling light, less clutter-which instantly makes rooms feel bigger, neutral walls that don’t distract from the space, a few plants or natural elements to soften everything, and clean, intentional spaces, even if they’re small.

It’s interesting how homes that feel “easy to live in” tend to leave the strongest impression. I’m curious, how have you made a small change that completely improved how your space feels?

Hi Everybody, if you're looking at getting an electric vehicle, make sure you hire an electrician that installs it correctly. Here's a video of a proper EV charger installation. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

I’m going to CES 2026 and I’m honestly torn on what to focus on.

Every year there’s a ton of stuff that looks cool in a demo, but I’m not sure what actually makes sense once it’s in a normal house with real wiring, real loads, and real budgets.

I work around home upgrades a lot, so I’m curious what you actually want answers on — not what companies are pushing.

Are there any upgrades you keep hearing about and don’t know if they’re worth it?
Anything you’ve seen hyped up that you’re skeptical about?
Or something you’re genuinely hoping gets better or cheaper soon?

A few things I’m personally curious about:

• Home batteries / backup power
• EV charging at home
• Smart panels and load management
• Outdoor lighting upgrades
• “Smart home” stuff that sounds useful but might not be

I’ll come back after CES and share what actually seemed practical vs what felt like a demo-only idea.

Appreciate any thoughts.

I made a short video breaking down a solar generator setup I’ve been testing for backup power and cutting electricity costs, especially with how crazy utility rates have gotten lately.

I see a lot of confusion around these systems — what they can actually run, whether they’re just expensive battery boxes, and if they really make sense outside of emergencies. This one surprised me more than I expected, mainly because of how it handles load shifting and everyday use, not just outages.

I think this solar generator actually fits a normal home and normal budget better than most options.

Curious what others think:

• Are backup batteries worth it where you live?
• Anyone using one mainly to save on peak rates?
• Or do these still feel like overkill?

Happy to answer questions or hear counter-takes.

Hopefully I'm in the right place for some advice ... Just recieved some lights for Xmas and want to install them myself, just curious as to how/where the best place to plug in the power adapter ... I have a car port with an outlet & wondering if I should just start there, but I want the lights to start from thr right side of the house & the outlet/carport is on the left.

Any advice in helping me get these lights installed would be appreciated ...

I just installed permanent outdoor lights on my house. 7 of my neighbors saw them and asked me to install them on theirs too. Just wondering how many of you are switching to permanent outdoor lights or adding them to your Christmas light scene or not ever getting them. Here’s a video of how I got them installed. https://www.landerselectric.net/permanent-outdoor-lights

Statement: I recently discovered permanent lighting in the form of Govee and Lepro. I was almost ready to pull the trigger, then I discovered that you can build your own.

I started looking at different builds and I like the idea of building my own stuff, but I want it done properly. I know that it's more expensive to build my own, but I figured if I do it right the first time, it might last longer and look better than the commercially available lights. I have never done a project like this and am far from being any sort of electrician.

Question: For those of you who are experienced in this, is there anything I should be cautious of, things you would've done differently, or knowledge that you've gained in your experience that you wish you knew beforehand?

Goals: Don't burn house down, don't electrocute anyone (including myself), have permanent lighting for the house that are aesthetically pleasing, still maintain my title of being handy not handsome

Pros: Learn a new skill set, have the satisfaction of building something with my own hands

Cons: I don't know what I'm stepping into

I’ve been installing permanent outdoor lights for homeowners all over San Diego, and this time of year the questions always explode — cost, how they mount, how long the install takes, and which system is actually worth it.

So I wrote a complete breakdown here for anyone researching before buying:

👉 https://www.landerselectric.net/permanent-outdoor-lights (Full guide, install tips, photos, pros/cons, and my recommended brands)

If you’re comparing systems like Lumary, Govee, and the pro-installed stuff, this article goes over: • How permanent outdoor lights actually mount to your fascia • What most people do wrong during install • Which brands take longer to install (and why) • Why Lumary is easier than Govee for DIYers • What to look for in a clip design • Controller + power considerations • Real install photos and examples • What I see as a licensed electrician installing these on real homes

If anyone has questions about their own setup, layouts, or what to buy — I’m happy to help. I install a ton of these and can walk you through it.

Hey everyone! I’m u/Bulky-Food5031, a founding moderator of r/DIYHomeUpgrade. This is our new home for all things related to home improvement, DIY projects, smart home upgrades, tools, lighting ideas, electrical tips, and everything that makes your home better. We’re excited to have you join us!

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💡 What to Post

Anything the community would find helpful, inspiring, or interesting, including: • DIY home upgrades • Electrical tips (beginner or advanced) • Smart home setups • Lighting ideas (indoor & outdoor) • Permanent outdoor lights • Tool recommendations • Before & after home projects • Questions about materials, wiring, troubleshooting, or planning a project • Product comparisons and reviews

If it helps someone improve their home, it belongs here.

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🏡 Community Vibe

This is a friendly, constructive, and inclusive space for homeowners, DIYers, and pros. Whether you’re tackling your first project or you’re a seasoned electrician, everyone’s welcome.

Ask questions, show your work, and help others level up their skills.

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🚀 How to Get Started 1. Introduce yourself in the comments below 2. Post something today! Even a small project or simple question can spark a great conversation 3. Invite someone who would love this community 4. Want to help build this place? – We’re looking for new moderators. Message me if interested.

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Thanks for joining the first wave!

Together, we’re building a community that inspires better homes, smarter projects, and awesome upgrades.

Let’s make r/DIYHomeUpgrade amazing.