HomeGreenHomes

🌍 Happy Earth Day! Ready to make your home more eco-friendly? Here are 5 tips: 1️⃣ Go smaller for a smaller footprint. 2️⃣ Choose energy and water-efficient appliances. 3️⃣ Seal and insulate properly. 4️⃣ Consider solar energy. 5️⃣ Use recycled materials. Let’s build a greener future together! #EcoFriendly

With Earth Day right around the corner…​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This isn’t a reminder to post.​​​​​​​​​It’s a reminder to pause.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​To reflect on how we live, what we choose, and the impact we make — even in the smallest ways.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Because that’s what Earth Day really stands for. 💚

🏠 Don't get distracted by the beautiful finishes. Before you fall in love with the countertops and master bath, you need to know what's really holding that house together. In this episode, George Siegal breaks down why understanding how a home is built — not just how it looks — is the most important thing you can do before buying. Because when something goes wrong, the icing won't save you. The ingredients will.

It’s easy to burn out when we try to do it all: zero waste, eco-shopping, composting, vegan meals… the list goes on.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Here’s a little reminder: you don’t need to be perfect. Pick one habit you can stick to, celebrate the wins, and give yourself permission to rest.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Every small action counts and taking care of yourself is part of it too. 💚​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What’s one sustainable habit that feels doable for you today? Comment below 👇​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​#sustainableliving #sustainabilityburnout #climateaction #consciousliving #ecofriendly

@George Siegal What I'd like to see is http://realtor.com. Zillow, all those websites and they're starting to do it, put safety ratings in for houses, talk about the fire risk, the water risk, the risk, and a house that's good maybe gets five stars and the others get two or three [See full episode on the channel: Home Green Homes podcast 103. Built to Last. Or Fail? Your Beautiful Countertop Won't Save You in Disasters]

*Are homes really built to last… or just built to sell?* In this eye-opening episode, Izumi sits down with documentary filmmaker George Siegal, creator of _Built to Last: Buyer Beware_, to uncover the uncomfortable truth about how most homes are actually built—and why so many fail when disaster strikes. From hurricanes in Florida to wildfires in California, George shares heartbreaking stories of homeowners who lost everything—and the common patterns behind those losses. The biggest takeaway? Most homes are built to the *minimum code*, not for long-term resilience. If you’re a homeowner, buyer, investor, or real estate professional, this conversation may completely change how you look at homes. IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER: * Why “built to code” often means *built to the bare minimum* * The biggest mistakes homebuyers make when evaluating a property * How disasters reveal hidden weaknesses in our homes * Why rebuilding after a disaster can take *years—not months* * The surprising connection between *resilience and sustainability* * What questions you _must_ ask before buying or building a home * How insurance, building practices, and human behavior all play a role George also shares practical tips—including how one simple correction saved him *$1,000/year on insurance*—and why homeowners need to take responsibility for understanding the true quality of their homes. 🎬 *Watch the film:* https://movetheworldfilms.gumroad.com/l/kaywco?_gl=1*1acusx4* _ga*NDkzNDEwNDEwLjE3NDM2MjUxOTU.* _ga_6LJN6D94N6*czE3Njg1MTE3MDkkbzEwMSRnMSR0MTc2ODUxMTc5NiRqNDkkbDAkaDA. 📄 *Free resource:* https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TkzZTJ4usVBcude7T7hMT9zv_z1vnlgL/view ---------------------------------------- *Bottom line:* Don’t just fall in love with the finishes—the countertops, the floors, the “wow” factor. *Understand the bones of the house… because that’s what determines whether it survives.*

That’s what makes it dangerous.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Today isn’t about panic.​​​​​​​​​It’s about consciousness.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Because the real cost isn’t the conversation.​​​​​​​​​It’s the silence.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​#worldclimateday #climatechange #climateawareness #actforclimate #climateresponsibility

🔥 Gas vs. Induction — A Home Cook's Honest Take | Ep. 102 Most home cooks swear by gas. The flame tells you everything — how hot, how fast, how ready. But what happens when you take that away? In this clip from Episode 102, Nick Grimm shares what it was really like switching from gas to induction after years of cooking. Spoiler: the resistance faded fast. "I'd never look back." — Nick Grimm Whether you're renovating your kitchen, going electric, or just curious about induction cooking, this one's for you. 🎧 Full episode linked below. 👍 Like & Subscribe for more real talk on modern home living. #InductionCooking #GasVsInduction #HomeCooking #KitchenRemodel #Podcast #HomeOwner #CookingTips

In this episode of _Home Green Homes_, Izumi Tanaka talks with Nick Grimm — a father, homeowner, and sustainability professional who is gradually transforming his 1953 Los Angeles home into a healthier and more energy-efficient space. Nick didn’t begin with a master sustainability plan. Like many homeowners, his journey started with basic maintenance: replacing appliances when they broke and making upgrades when necessary. But as he learned more about sustainability, each decision became an opportunity to choose better options. So far, Nick and his family have: * Replaced a gas cooktop with an induction stove * Installed a heat pump washer/dryer * Upgraded their electric panel * Installed solar panels * Purchased an EV and charger * Begun planning for heat pump HVAC and water heating * Started thinking about drought-resilient landscaping One turning point came when Nick used an indoor air quality monitor while cooking on a gas stove — and saw pollution levels spike inside his home. With a young child experiencing asthma, it accelerated their switch to induction cooking. Nick also discusses the *real barriers to electrification*, including the complexity of rebates and the financial realities many homeowners face. Despite those challenges, he believes individual choices still matter. For Nick, the ability to take action — even one appliance at a time — is empowering.

When Nick discovered his son has environmental asthma, it was a wake-up call. 🚨 It's time we rethink our everyday choices like gas burners and opt for healthier alternatives. Let's prioritize our family's health and the planet. 🌍 #homeimprovement #environmentalasthma #gasstovecooking #inductionstove #sustainablity #indoorairquality #greenhomes #greenliving #ecoconsciousliving #healthyhome #healthyfamily See full episode coming on March 18!

Ever feel stuck with outdated appliances, knowing you can't just swap them out? 🌍💔 Join the conversation with Nick Grimm on our latest podcast episode as we dive into the frustrations of eco-conscious living. Let's navigate this challenge together! Full version coming soon! #EcoLiving #podcast @homegreenhomes #sustainability #greenliving #consciousliving #mindfulliving #greenhomes #greemrealtor

"yes, for sure. That's the core mission, right? Make it simple, make it easy, take all the pain away. That's why we exist and make it affordable. And yes, let us help you ⁓ help yourself in terms ⁓ of how to make this journey really painless and I would say more exciting than anything" Akanksha Mathur @elephantenergy_us 👉 Watch full episode @homegreenhomes podcast episode 101

That’s how real sustainable living works.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​#gogreen #ecofriendlyproduct #greenliving #ecofriendlyliving #ecofriendlyhomes

"...the turning point or the pivoting point as I call in my career journey was when I became a mom. We did this family trip to Iceland, where in the capital, they have this museum, which had an exhibit which showed how, because of the geographical location of the country, they saw the firsthand impact of climate change, which made them adapt, completely convert their whole economy to 100 % renewable based. And I had my almost two year old running in front of that exhibit. And I think that was the trigger and got me thinking that I've built all this expertise, meeting people, traveling around the world. What am I personally doing to apply this skill set to ensure that when this next generation grows up, we did something to leave this planet, if not better, you know, how we found it...." Akanksha Mathur @elephantenergy_us

If you're a homeowner wondering whether it’s time to replace gas appliances with electric alternatives — this episode is for you. In Episode 101 of _Home Green Homes, Izumi chats with Akanksha Mathur, General Manager for Southern California at https://elephantenergy.com/, to discuss what it really takes to electrify your home. From heat pumps and induction cooking to rebates, incentives, and indoor air quality — we break down the electrification process step-by-step. Elephant Energy is a Certified B-Corp focused on making the switch from gas to electric simple, seamless, and climate-friendly. Akanksha shares her journey from mechanical engineer to climate advocate, and why education is the missing link in helping homeowners make confident decisions. If you live in Southern California — or anywhere thinking about clean energy upgrades — this conversation will help you understand: • What “home electrification” actually means • How heat pumps work • What incentives are available • Why indoor air quality matters • The biggest challenges homeowners face • How to make sustainable choices easier The future is electric. The question is — are you ready? 🎧 Listen now and learn how to make your home cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Elephant Energy 05:19 Akanksha's Journey to Elephant Energy 10:15 The Process of Electrification 15:44 Challenges in the Electrification Process 20:59 Educating Homeowners on Electrification 26:16 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations More Resources: * https://www.switchison.org/ * https://techcleanca.com/

SNEAK PREVIEW: "...if we give anyone an option, you want a healthy climate or not such a healthy climate. No one is going to choose option to everyone wants a healthy climate. Right. But when it comes to the day to day action, we need to really make it an easy choice for everyone to do that. And that's where that was the origin of the company." Akanksha Mathur, @elephantenergy 👉From Episode 101, Electrification Made Easy with Elephant Energy @homegreenhomes

Steve Glenn (00:00)​​​​​​​​​so what's unique about us number one most​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Prefab companies have a catalog of standardized models. We do, but we mostly don't develop them. We work with So we're focused on customized projects. two, we're the only factory in the US purpose built to do both panels and modules.​​​​​​​​​#prefabhomes #sustainability #customdesignprefab #greenbuilding #bcorp #publicbenefit #greenbuild​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​major systems other companies do one or the other. We both because it turns out it gives us a better solution for doing the projects we do sometimes they're all panels sometimes they're all mods sometimes they're both and then third we are more focused on sustainability we're a mission building company we're a certified B-Corp​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​public benefit corp So that also is pretty unique about us.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​so what's unique about us number one most​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Prefab companies have a catalog of standardized models. We do, but we mostly don't develop them. We work with So we're focused on customized projects. two, we're the only factory in the US purpose built to do both panels and modules.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​major systems other companies do one or the other. We both because it turns out it gives us a better solution for doing the projects we do sometimes they're all panels sometimes they're all mods sometimes they're both and then third we are more focused on sustainability we're a mission building company we're a certified B-Corp​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​public benefit corp So that also is pretty unique about us.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​so what's unique about us number one most​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Prefab companies have a catalog of standardized models. We do, but we mostly don't develop them. We work with So we're focused on customized projects. two, we're the only factory in the US purpose built to do both panels and modules.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​major systems other companies do one or the other. We both because it turns out it gives us a better solution for doing the projects we do sometimes they're all panels sometimes they're all mods sometimes they're both and then third we are more focused on sustainability we're a mission building company we're a certified B-Corp​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​public benefit corp So that also is pretty unique about us.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​so what's unique about us number one most​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Prefab companies have a catalog of standardized models. We do, but we mostly don't develop them. We work with So we're focused on customized projects. two, we're the only factory in the US purpose built to do both panels and modules.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​major systems other companies do one or the other. We both because it turns out it gives us a better solution for doing the projects we do sometimes they're all panels sometimes they're all mods sometimes they're both and then third we are more focused on sustainability we're a mission building company we're a certified B-Corp​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​public benefit corp So that also is pretty unique about us.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

"...for those of us who care about climate change, you want to start with energy because your home would use more energy over its life than are embodied in the material.The number one, the most important place to get right is energy use." -Steve Glenn​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​#podcast #homegreenhomes #prefabhomes #sustainability #greenbuilding #greenarchitecture

Valentine’s Day is about love…​​​​​​​​​So why are we showing it with things that harm the planet? 💔🌍​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Cut flowers flown across the world.​​​​​​​​​Fast fashion.​​​​​​​​​Single-use decor.​​​​​​​​​Excess packaging.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Love shouldn’t leave a carbon footprint.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What if we celebrated differently this year?​​​​​​​​​Experiences. Plants. Local makers. Acts of service.​​​​​​​​​Love that lasts longer than a dozen roses.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​How are you celebrating sustainably? 💚👇​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​#SustainableLiving #EcoValentine #HomeGreenHomes #ClimateAction #LoveTheEarth #GreenLifestyle

Instead of giving flowers that wilt in a few days, give a plant that actually lives, grows, and sticks around.​​​​​​​​​It’s a small change, but it means less waste, more oxygen, and a gift that keeps reminding them of you.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Sustainable can still be romantic.​​​​​​​​​Thoughtful can still be beautiful.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Love that lasts, flowers that fade 💚​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​#sustainablevalentines #greentips #valentinesdaytips #ecofriendly #sustainabilitymatters

What does it really take to build homes that are beautiful, efficient, resilient, and responsible? In this special 100th episode of _Home Green Homes_, Izumi Tanaka welcomes Steve Glenn, founder and CEO of https://www.plantprefab.com/, for an in-depth conversation that weaves together architecture, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and climate action. Steve traces his path from an early love of architecture to founding LivingHomes and later Plant Prefab—companies created to challenge the waste, inefficiency, and environmental impact of conventional construction. He explains what truly sets Plant Prefab apart: customized architectural design, a purpose-built factory capable of both panelized and modular construction, and a mission-driven commitment as a certified B Corp and public benefit corporation. The conversation also dives into Plant Prefab’s work supporting communities rebuilding after devastating Southern California wildfires, and why prefab construction can offer faster, more predictable, and often more cost-effective rebuilding solutions. Along the way, Steve addresses common misconceptions about prefab homes, shares what homeowners should prioritize when designing for climate resilience, and reflects on leadership, scaling a values-driven company, and what he hopes the future of housing can become. This episode is especially relevant for homeowners, home dwellers, architects, builders, developers, and anyone curious about how housing can be part of the climate solution. ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS / LISTENER HIGHLIGHTS * *Prefab ≠ mobile homes*: Plant Prefab homes are legally and structurally equivalent to site-built homes and cannot be excluded from zoning, financing, or insurance. * *Energy matters most*: Over a home’s lifetime, operational energy use has a bigger climate impact than materials—efficiency and solar should be top priorities. * *Time is money*: Faster, parallel construction can significantly reduce carrying costs, rent, and uncertainty—especially important in rebuild scenarios. * *Design and sustainability go together*: High-quality architecture and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. * *Rebuilding after disaster is an opportunity*: Prefab can help communities recover faster while building more resilient, future-ready homes. * *Mission-driven businesses face real challenges*: Scaling sustainably takes persistence, patience, and long-term vision—but the impact compounds over time. Chapters * 00:00 Personal Impact and Vision for the Future

Coming to your #podcast near you! The 100th episode of my podcast #homegreenhomes with none other than Steve Glenn of @PlantPrefab, who was instrumental for my green home journey, is going live on Wednesday, February 11! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​What makes PlantPrefab fantastically unique as a prefab home manufacturer? Take a listen! ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​#modularhomes #panelizedhomes #prefabhomes #greenbuilding #sustainability #podcast #healthyhomes #builtenvironment #greenhomes #homwcomfort #greenhomes #greenrealestate

They affect how we live, how much we spend every month, and the kind of future we’re building.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​It’s not about being perfect or trendy, it’s about making smarter choices that actually make sense long term.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Better for homeowners.​​​​​​​​​Better for our communities.​​​​​​​​​Better for the planet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​And that’s why green real estate isn’t a “nice to have” anymore, it matters. 💚​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.​​​​​​​​​#greenrealestate #greenrealtor #realestate #izumitanaka #homegreenhomes

An architect, Avideh, set off to transform a 100+ year old bungalow in Long Beach into an all electric, non-emmission home. ​​​​​​​​​Watch full episode on the channel @homegreenhomes

What does it really take to decarbonize an old house — not in theory, but in real life? In this episode of Home Green Homes, Avideh Highighi, an architect specializing in sustainable building, shares her story how she decided to walk the walk by transforming her own 100+ year-old home in Signal Hill / Long Beach into a non-emission, all-electric house. This conversation goes beyond design concepts and gets into the real-world details homeowners want to know, including: • How she decarbonized a historic home • The biggest challenges she faced during renovation • How much the house cost to purchase • What she spent on the retrofit • How she used available financial incentives and rebates • What she would do differently next time • And how her neighbors reacted to the transformation Avideh shares candid lessons from both a professional architect’s and a homeowner’s perspective — making this episode especially valuable for anyone considering electrification, energy upgrades, or a deeper green renovation. 🌱 Calling homeowners: Have you upgraded your home to be more energy-efficient, all-electric, or low-emission — or are you in the middle of the process? I’m actively looking to feature real homeowner stories on Home Green Homes. 👉 Reach out through https://www.homegreenhomes.com or leave a comment below. 🏡 Thinking about decarbonizing your home? I offer green home audits and consulting to help homeowners: • Understand where to start • Evaluate costs and tradeoffs • Navigate incentives and rebates • Plan upgrades realistically Learn more at Home Green Homes. Topics covered in this episode: • Home decarbonization • Electrifying older homes • Sustainable renovation costs • Financial incentives for home upgrades

“So when I think about a future that is solving climate, I think about raising our quality of life. I think about more inclusive cities with wonderful parks, and it's a fantastic mass transportation that's really considered a luxury good because whether you're the wealthiest person in that city or the poorest, you all want to be on the same subway or the same bus because it's simply the best way to get around and everyone enjoys these types of amenities.There are examples of that all over the world. We try and bring those to light. And that is my vision for what the future starts to look like.” - Josh Dorfman Josh Dorfman spent time in China in the 1990s, which opened his eyes to environmental issues and the impact of rapid industrialization and consumerism. When he returned to the U.S. and went through a phase of environmental activism before deciding to focus on shifting consumption towards more sustainable products. He started an eco-friendly furniture company called VivaVie in 2004, which led to the creation of his "Lazy Environmentalist" media brand. During the pandemic when supply chain issues made it difficult to source sustainable materials for his previous furniture company, he developed Planted - Josh's current carbon-negative building materials company. (https://www.plantdmaterials.com/) They identified fast-growing perennial grass as a potential replacement for traditional lumber and engineered wood products. They worked to vertically integrate the entire supply chain, from growing the grass to manufacturing the building panels, and partnered with major homebuilder D.R. Horton to secure a large order for their carbon-negative panels. Josh then launched a media company, Supercool, after stepping down as CEO of Planted to focus on sharing stories of climate innovation and solutions. (https://getsuper.cool/) Supercool aims to highlight commercialized, scalable technologies and initiatives that are improving people's lives while addressing environmental challenges. He shares his vision for a "Supercool future" that involves raising quality of life through inclusive, sustainable cities and infrastructure.

“We’re always inspired by nature and using nature as a starting point. So we can use the most advanced technology whether it’s robotics or parametric design using algorithms, AI. Regardless of the technologies our goal is to create something that’s beautiful and it’s just works as far as the simplicity. And there’s kind of a synergy in the work we do. So we’re hoping to use this advanced technology beautiful forms in the nature and having everything work together really well.” - Joseph Sarfian Joseph Sarafian and Ron Culver, are the founding partners of architectural firm Form Found Design. Joseph has a background in computational design and parametric modeling, while Ron has experience as an architect, contractor, and musician. They met in graduate school and decided to start their firm together, combining their complementary skillsets. Form Found Design has developed several innovative construction techniques, including using robots to cast custom concrete structures and a computational framing system that allows for mass customization without added cost. They have used these methods for projects like a 15-foot tall concrete structure for Amazon, as well as residential homes. In response to recent wildfires, Form Found Design has focused on designing fire-resilient homes using non-combustible materials like metal, insulated panels, and cross-laminated timber. Their goal is to create homes that are more durable, energy-efficient, and sustainable compared to traditional wood-framed construction. The main challenge Form Found Design faces is educating contractors and homeowners about their innovative construction methods. However, they believe the demand is there, as people are increasingly seeking more resilient and sustainable building solutions. Their overall vision is to use advanced technology like robotics and parametric design to create beautiful, nature-inspired architecture that is also highly functional and efficient. @FormFoundDesign

“I think there's a whole new awareness right now after these fires in LA, at least for people who live in California of like, just actually how toxic our whole houses are. So, you know, the answer for some might be, “oh, I was going to buy a new couch and I'm going to buy a couch that's cotton instead of like plastic,” you know, just smaller things. And, yeah, the more people that could be building a whole house out of natural materials right now, that's amazing.” - Sasha Rabin Sasha Rabin has a long history with natural building, stemming from her father's early interest in straw bale construction in the 1990s. This sparked Sasha's passion, leading her to study environmental design and eventually focus on earthen building methods like cob, adobe, and light straw clay. She founded Earthen Shelter (https://www.earthenshelter.com/) as a platform to teach workshops on these techniques, which she sees as an important part of creating more sustainable and healthy built environments. Sasha discussed the challenges of getting alternative building materials permitted, especially in high-seismic areas. While there are now code appendices for some natural building methods, Sasha and organizations like Quail Springs (https://www.quailsprings.org/), where she is involved, have had to do extensive testing and work with local officials to demonstrate the safety and viability of these materials. Looking to the future, Sasha envisions a multi-pronged approach, from simple retrofits using earthen plasters to whole cob or adobe structures, as crucial for rebuilding more resilient communities.

Fernando and his family lives in a 3,000 sq/ft, 4 Bedroom home in Agoura Hills, California. Built in 1960, the home gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The old HVAC system doesn't maintain even temperature throughout the house. They discovered the attic wasn't properly insulated, the vents and recessed lighting cans were not sealed and the roof insulation was never replaced when they installed the solar tubes transferring extreme heat into the living space even when it's not hot outside. Here's how Fernando and his wife are tackling the issues.

“The secret is cost shifting. That’s the secret. So we shift the cost from expensive mechanical systems into the quality of the building shell, of the building envelope. We have what we call a super-insulated building envelope. We have triple-glazed windows. We have insulated frames. They get installed in a certain fashion. And we basically take… we beef up the building envelope. it’s super-insulated that means insulation is cheap. Insulation is the cheapest building material on the planet. It’s much less expensive than batts. That’s really the issue.” - Joaquin Karcher Joaquin Karcher is a founder/owner/principal architect for Zero E Design (https://zeroedesign.com/) based in Taos, New Mexico. The discussion centered on Joaquin’s expertise in eco-architecture and his work with Zero E Design, particularly focusing on cold climate architecture in northern New Mexico. Karcher shares his journey from his early passion for eco-architecture in Germany to his current projects, emphasizing the importance of achieving carbon neutrality in buildings by 2030. He highlighted his collaboration with the Navajo tribe to improve housing using local materials and labor, as well as his insights gained from the Passive House Institute in Germany. The conversation also delved into the principles of passive house design, its affordability in California, and the benefits of enhancing building envelopes to create energy-efficient homes. Karcher discussed the resilience of passive houses in extreme weather and fire-prone areas, suggesting specific materials and techniques for safety. Although he has not yet worked on redesigning homes affected by wildfires, he expressed a vision for affordable, resilient zero energy buildings, particularly through offsite construction methods like panelized construction.