Mary’s San Anselmo Home

ABOUT THE HOUSE: Mary’s house is well made, with beautiful woodwork. Mary was able to fully electrify without upgrading the existing 125 amp electrical service to the home. Because her driveway is long, and electrical lines from the street are underground, upgrading service would have been too expensive.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

  • Passive solar attributes: Roof overhang prevents direct sun through windows and patio doors during summer months, allows direct sun during winter months for passive heating.

  • Double-paned windows: Replaced single pane aluminum frame windows and sliding patio doors, Nov 2019. New vinyl frame double pane windows and new metal frame, double pane patio doors

  • Smart thermostat: Trane smart thermostat can schedule operation, operate remotely, and monitor usage using an app.

  • LED lighting: All lighting throughout the home is LED

RENEWABLE ENERGY:

  • Rooftop Solar, installed by PacSolar (San Rafael) Feb 2017. Initially 5.2 kWDC provided 100% of home’s electricity needs.  With additional electric loads (heat pump, HPWH, second EV) now net usage ~1000 kWh/yr.

ELECTRIFICATION:

  • EV vehicles: Hyundai Kona 2020, Kia Niro 2022, and Rivian R1T 2023. We have driven exclusively electric since 2013.

  • EV charging: Level 2 Siemens VersiCharge has adjustable maximum power setting of 7.2 kW down to 1.8 kW (30 amps – 7.5 amps)

  • Heat Pump HVAC: Trane 3-ton, 2-stage, 2 speed heat pump, 18 SEER.

    TIP: Heat pumps deliver air at lower temperatures (90F) than a gas furnace (115F).  Air at 90 F is actually warm, but can feel cool relative to body temperature. In Marin, a supplemental electric strip heat should never be needed to heat a home.  If a supplemental heat source is part of the heat pump conversion, it is critical that the thermostat be programmed to limit/exclude operation of the supplemental heat.  The thermostat should be programmed so that all the heating is done by the efficient heat pump.

  • Heat Pump water heater (not visible in video, but is now installed): Rheem 65 gal, PROPH65 TO RH120-M , 120 Volt, 15 amp shared circuit. This model plugs into standard 120V outlet, no dedicated 240V circuit needed. Installed by John Gleason Plumbing and Sewer (Novato), which provided fair and competitive pricing and excellent workmanship. Everything is working perfectly!

    TIP: The 120V HPWH has a slower recovery rate than 220V HPWHs. To provide more capacity with the 120V HPWH, the tank temperature can be maintained at a higher temp, 140F. A mixing valve (that comes standard with the heater), then mixes hot and cold to deliver water at a safe temperature of 125F, effectively extending the capacity of the hot water. It is also recommended to consider upsizing the tank one size increment to help ensure adequate capacity. For instance, we upsized from a 50 gal gas water heater to a 65 gal HPWH.

  • Induction range installed as part of 2020 kitchen remodel. Exhaust vent is located under counter, and rises when in use.

WATER CONSERVATION:

  • Drip Irrigation

  • Mostly natural landscape, with drought tolerant and native plants

  • Low-flow water faucets, showerheads, toilets

  • Flume water meter and app detects leaks, monitors irrigation usage, and enables you to verify water conservation strategies.

  • Miele Dishwasher uses very little water: dishwasher load uses 2.8 gals total vs hand washing at 2.0 gpm for 5 min = 10 gal

LANDSCAPE:

  • Mostly natural landscape, pesticide-free, with native plants

  • Fire mitigation strategies: stucco siding, rock gardens, and decorative metal sculptures at home perimeter

OTHER RESOURCES:

Watt Diet offers strategies to help you to electrify your home without upsizing your electric panel.