Ways To Make Your Home More Sustainable & Increase Its Value

 

Consider using BayREN resources for your next remodel project!

The Bay Area Regional Energy Network (BayREN) is a coalition of the Bay Area’s nine counties — a network of local governments partnering to promote resource efficiency at the regional level, focusing on energy, water and greenhouse gas reduction.

 

By working together, we can make our region greener and more resilient.

BayREN offers rebates, funding and technical assistance to help residents, property owners, business owners and local governments improve the resource-efficiency and carbon footprint of their buildings.

C

heck out the BayRen website for more information!

Interested in Building Decarbonization? Dorsi made the above video with Building Decarbonization Coalition. You can access their site Buildingdecarb.org here as well. 

 

Upgrade to Sustainable Systems 

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• Solar Panels

Residential solar is now more affordable than ever. Solar offers great potential to save money on your monthly utility bill. The amount you save depends upon how much electricity you consume, the size of your solar energy system, and how much power it is able to generate.

Generating your own solar power can give you the freedom to keep the lights on if there’s a disruption in power. Residential solar energy systems paired with battery storage provide power regardless of the weather or the time of day without having to rely on backup power from the grid.

According to a study by Berkeley Lab, buying a solar energy system will likely increase your home’s value.

• Heat Pump Water Heaters

Did you know water heating makes up 20% of your energy bill? Replace your gas or electric resistance water heater with a high-efficiency heat pump option for big energy and cash savings.

Heat pump water heaters are up to four times more efficient than standard models by using a process that transfers heat from the surrounding air to the water. Get started for energy bill savings, plus rebates for you and your contractor.

• Induction Cooktops

Savor faster, safer, more energy-efficient cooking when you replace your natural gas stove with an induction range or cooktop. A rebate is just icing on the cake.

Induction uses electromagnets to heat your pots and pans directly. Cooking times are quicker, and cooking food won’t send wasted heat or pollutants into the air — for a safer, healthier home.

• Insulation

Bundle up your home with insulation for cozier winters and cooler, more comfortable summers — and big energy savings in every season.

• Air Sealing

Air leaks rob your home of energy and comfort. Find and seal up leaks for a safer, more comfortable and energy efficient home.

Even when you don’t feel a draft, air leaks may be letting heated or cooled air out of your home — and letting unwanted pollutants inside. Sealing leaks is an inexpensive, effective way to lower heating and cooling costs, increase comfort, improve durability and create a healthier home.

• Duct Replacement

Air ducts carry heated and cooled air from your HVAC system into your home. Keep your home comfortable and protect your home heating and cooling investment with new or newly sealed air ducts.

Air ducts are the superhighway of your home’s heating and cooling system. When they’re improperly sized, or when they leak, you can lose 30-100% of your heated/cooled air before it even reaches your home! Leakage also means that dirty air can get sucked into the duct system and distributed throughout the house, potentially causing poor indoor air quality.

New ducts can make your home more energy efficient, comfortable and safe — plus they can help reduce your energy bills.

• Heat Pumps

Enjoy year-round comfort and savings with a heat pump. Heat pumps move heat in or out of your home — for heating or cooling, based on the season.

Replace your gas furnace or conventional air conditioning with a more efficient heat pump for energy savings. Because they move heat rather than generating it, heat pumps help lower heating and cooling costs while delivering reliable year-round comfort.

• Air Conditioning

Bring down the temperature and lower your cooling costs by 20–40% with an energy-efficient air conditioner — for reliable summer cooling and energy savings. According to Energy.gov, today’s efficient systems can lower your cooling costs by 20–40% compared to central air conditioners from 10 years ago.