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When combined with a substantial solar system, if you have enough Powerwalls, you could go off-grid and be energy independent. But remember, you'd need enough Powerwalls to power your whole home continuously because a single Powerwall can’t power large appliances for extended periods. One Powerwall is able to power an average-sized home's emergency circuits, lights, and outlets. To power large appliances, you likely need two or three Powerwalls.

Setting your AC unit to 78 degrees can, indeed, help you save energy. In fact, according to experts, every degree you turn the unit up could save you between 1% and 3% on your energy bills. That said, turning your unit off entirely while you’re out might actually be less efficient than keeping it on at a higher temperature. Why? The unit will need to work extra hard to cool the house back off again after all those hot hours. 

Yes, a dirty air filter can cause a higher electric bill. That’s because clogged filters make it harder for air to flow through your HVAC system, which forces it to work harder and use more energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing dirty filters can save you between 5% and 15% in utility costs.

If you have central air conditioning, it’s fine to run your AC all day if that’s what you want—as long as the AC unit is in good condition. But if your AC runs constantly when you don’t want it to, there may be a problem with your system (like the ones we’ve mentioned above). Window AC units and wall air conditioners aren’t as powerful as central AC, so you should only run those kinds of air conditioners for eight to 12 hours at a time.