Bill & Tamra’s
San Rafael Retrofit

RENEWABLE ENERGY:

  • Rooftop Solar. This was our first big energy investment in 2008, providing a large portion of the clean, distributed electricity we needed to begin moving off fossil fuels. Net metering and time-of-use pricing has allowed us to sell electricity into the grid during the sunny summer months. 2.369 kW system installed by SPG Solar (now defunct). $4,700 State rebate.

  • Deep Green' electricity. We were automatically enrolled into MCE energy when it launched in 2010 after being citizen advocates for it to be California's first "community choice aggregator" of electricity. MCE enabled us to purchase 100% renewable "Deep Green" electricity for a few additional dollars a month to meet our power needs with clean energy beyond what the solar array provides.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

  • LED lights. Signed up for a Green House Call from Rising Sun Energy Center. They helped us change out our incandescent and CFL bulbs to LEDs.

  • Insulation / leak sealing / Double-paned windows. Following a home energy assessment in 2011, we put in new heating vents and ductwork, made attic and crawl space insulation upgrades, have incrementally replaced windows, and taken other efficiency steps to create a tight building envelop to maximize the benefit of all subsequent improvements. Energy Upgrade California PG&E Whole House Rebate $1,500

ELECTRIFICATION:

  • Heat Pump HVAC. We stopped burning fossil fuels entirely in our home when we switched out our gas furnace for an electric heat pump HVAC system in 2022, completing a process we had started in 2008. We were able to phase the needed investments by tracking the life expectancy of the old equipment. The heat pump provides both winter heat and summer cooling against intensifying heat waves, as well as a Merv 15 filter to counter smoke events and increasingly poor air quality. Daikin FIT central heat pump and air exchanger installed by Kelly Plumbing & Heating. SEER 16.0. $1,000 rebate via Electrify Marin. Advice from BayREN.

  • Induction cooktop. We bundled the electrical work needed for the HVAC with an additional kitchen circuit that enabled us to switch out our old gas cooktop. Bonus benefits included all new cookware and much better control of cooking times and temperatures. Bosch 500 Series induction cooktop installed by Best Buy. $250 rebate via Electrify Marin. Advice from BayREN. Electrical work by All Marin Electric.

  • Heat Pump water heater. Our first venture into efficient and reliable heat pump technology in 2011. AO Smith Vortex. $1,000 rebate, Energy Upgrade California.

  • Energy Star electric clothes washer/dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator. Changed out older appliances to the most energy efficient and electric. 2013.

TRANSPORTATION ELECTRIFICATION:

  • Electric Vehicles. Smooth drive, charge-at-home convenience, and dramatic reductions of fuel and maintenance costs with purchase of our first-year Nissan Leaf in 2011. Replaced Nissan battery in 2018, then traded in our last gas car for a 3-year lease on a Chevy Bolt. Great range and we were able to get a free 2022 Bolt battery due to a recall just before we purchased the car at the end of the lease in 2021. Federal tax credit of $7,500 and State rebate of $2,500 on both the Leaf and the Bolt.

  • EV charging. Home charging station provided free with purchase of the Nissan and still running fine for both cars 10 years later. So much nicer than perpetual gas station visits.

WATER CONSERVATION:

  • Low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and ultra-efficient Niagara toilets (0.8 gallons/flush). With rebates from Marin Water.

  • Drip Irrigation (+ smart controller). Over the years we've converted all our irrigation to drip, and as the drought worsened in 2021, we added a smart controller that adjusts flows to match the weather.

  • Drought tolerant plants / native plants. We've created a bird and pollinator welcoming garden of drought tolerant and mostly native plants. Most fun recent addition is a bird bath refilled daily with the warm-up water from our showers.

RECYCLED OR REUSED MATERIALS:

  • FLOR carpet. Made from recycled carpets and installed in easily replaceable square modules that invite interior design creativity.  Damaged squares can be returned to the company to make new carpet.

  • Fun urban forest furniture. Coffee table and sofa table custom made from salvaged tree trunks.

OTHER ACTIONS:

  • Our purchasing decisions now include shopping locally and asking if we need something before buying it, if a company shares our values, and if a product will be biodegradable when we're through using it. We are eating a more plant-based diet, composting, and limiting food waste. We shop at a farmer's market.

  • Home and neighborhood preparedness include having emergency plan and supplies, creating defensible space against wildfires, and talking with neighbors about looking out for each other. 

NEXT STEPS:

Electric power backup system. Planning on Vehicle-to-Home charging once an affordable EV with that capacity is available. That way, we'll get double duty from the car battery for driving and home back-up.