| Residential buildings in the United States emit around 975 million metric tons of CO2 each year, or approximately 15 percent of the country's total emissions. For the United States to hit its climate goals, those millions of tons have to go to zero. The Inflation Reduction Act created generous tax credits and rebates for homeowners who install solar panels, retrofit their homes or buy heat pumps — but a Republican-controlled Congress may soon eliminate those subsidies. President Donald Trump has already taken aim at the $8.8 billion in home energy rebates authorized by the IRA. But even with those subsidies, there are complications. Every house is different, and factors like weather, age of construction and duct work can dramatically change the costs and benefits of upgrades. The Washington Post asked researchers at Harvard's Graduate School of Design to simulate the potential cost savings and emissions reductions of updating this home. Holly Samuelson, an associate professor of architecture, and Mayuri Rajput, a lecturer and fellow, modeled the home and possible improvements. Local contractors provided cost estimates on those upgrades. The results show that, while there are a few easy and cost-saving upgrades, any final decision may depend more on a homeowner's comfort — and desire to cut carbon emissions — than saving money. | 
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