Working from home can mean surprise energy bills. Green power can help.

Many people working from home during the pandemic have gotten a rude surprise: higher energy bills. But improvements in technology and a last-minute tax credit extension is making it easier for homeowners to save by retrofitting their house, adding new sources of power or even creating a backup energy system.

"Because a lot of us are working from home, we're consuming more energy — and people are investing a lot more to improve their homes," said Vikram Aggarwal, CEO of EnergySage, an online marketplace that lets users compare solar installation services and costs. Aside from potentially lowering energy costs, many of these home improvements are also eligible for tax credits. Options for plugging into the green energy boom will vary depending on the state and city you live in, but here are some to consider.