When I first learned about OhmConnect, I thought it was too good to be true. A company wants to pay me to conserve energy at home? How does that work out for OhmConnect? It turns out, energy companies like PG&E and Southern California Edison are willing to pay their customers to lower their energy demand...
Sustainable home improvements
Buildings (and their construction) account for 38% of all global energy-related CO2 emissions according to the UN Environment Program. Yet we often don’t realize what a large impact our homes have on our environmental footprint. That’s why I became a LEED Green Associate. So I can share the most up-to-date ways you can make your home greener, healthier, and more comfortable. I cover home electrification, roof solar systems, energy conservation, indoor air quality, and other sustainable home tips.
How to get the best solar quotes
Ready to get a roof solar system installed? Here's how I decided on our roof solar system, what I learned from the experience, and how I'd get solar quotes if I had to do it again. How I chose our home solar system I went with Solar City (now Tesla) because it was the solar...
How to create a healthy home environment
A few days after the COVID-19 lockdown started here in California, my husband and I realized the base of the kitchen cabinet under the sink was soggy. When we peeled away the cabinet wall under the sink we discovered a large patch of mold. The kitchen sink had a leak and we had a mold...
Easy and inexpensive indoor air quality solutions
It's been a dark and smoky few days here in Northern Califonia. We've been lucky with no major fires in our neighborhood, but the smoke has been thick and the air quality unhealthy. Since air quality is top of mind right now, I put together a simple list of easy and inexpensive indoor air quality...
The benefits of an induction range versus a natural gas range
My husband and I decided to go all-electric in our 1960's San Jose ranch-style fixer-upper a while ago, as mentioned in our previous post about our sustainable home improvement plans. Although we've already done other projects to make our home more ready for an all-electric future, the induction range was our first intentionally purchased electric...
Our sustainable home improvement plan for going electric
A few months ago I started writing about the importance of home electrification. Since then, my husband and I have been discussing a sustainable home improvement plan and how to go electric. We've had a solar roof system for seven years. The additional energy we need from the grid comes from San Jose Green Energy...
Home electrification: Why cities are phasing out natural gas
You've heard of electric cars, but what about all-electric homes? Maybe not. Home electrification doesn't exactly get as much press as Tesla. But cities in the Bay Area (and around the world) are phasing out natural gas and phasing in all-electric appliances. Diane Bailey, Executive Director at Menlo Spark in Menlo Park California, explains why....
Why you need a smart thermostat
If you're new to sustainable living, start with the low hanging fruit, like buying a smart thermostat. It's an easy, green upgrade to any home, and it doesn't cost a fortune. A smart thermostat helps save you energy, it keeps your home warm and cozy in the winter and cool and comfortable in the summer....
How to estimate home solar panel costs in 2020
Think of a home solar system as a giant appliance on your roof. To get the best one you need to do some research and cost comparisons, just as you would with a new stove or refrigerator. It does take some time, but when it’s done, you rarely have to think about it again. So...
What to know before you shop for a home solar power system
Home improvement projects come together best when you know what you're looking for before you talk to a salesperson. Here's what you need to know so you sound savvy and get the best home solar system for your family. The pros of solar roof panels Renewable energy – As thankful as I am for all...
How to buy sustainable LED lights you'll love
I’ve clearly lived in San Jose for too long. I can turn the LED light in my bedroom on and off from an app on my iPhone. Then I can choose from millions of colors (hours of entertainment.) When my dog is home alone, I turn the light on for her, so she doesn’t get...
I Want A Self-Cleaning Kitchen
If there's one thing I know, it's that the only way to get what I want is to ask for it. If I don't ask, I can't expect to get it. So I'm asking for a self-cleaning kitchen and a smart home that's actually smart. For years I’ve been reading and listening to eco "experts"...
A step-by-step guide to sustainable home improvements
If you want to live in a sustainable home, you've probably considered a home solar system. Maybe you even have home solar already. But did you know that sustainable home improvements like installing a home solar roof system, adding power storage, upgrading to electric appliances, and adding an electric vehicle charging station can be done...
A Greener Air Conditioner
HFC Alternatives Post Kigali Amendment When the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol passed in October, it set a timeline for the United States and Europe to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's) by 2019 due to their high global warming potential (GWP). So what will todays HFC's be replaced with and what alternatives are available today? "Due to...