top of page
Inflation Reduction Act with Cynthia Adams
39:13

Inflation Reduction Act with Cynthia Adams

“A couple of things to know about tax credit. So there’s efficiency tax credit and renewable tax credit. Efficiency tax credits are the ones that were expanded this year. It used to be set at $500 whereas now you can take up to $3,200 in the tax year in which you make the installations. On the renewable side, one thing that’s important to know is that for the first time now battery storage is a part of what you can get 30% tax credit as well. That didn’t use to be the case.” As a part of the new legislation, Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, some financial incentives are now available for home owners and builders to build higher performing residential buildings as well as to improve existing homes for better comfort and efficiency. I have been dying to learn about what IRA has to offer to homeowners and builders so I can guide them to utilize this massive bill. Cynthia Adams, CEO and Co-founder of Pearl Certification generously offered to explain IRA in a nutshell. While there are many moving parts and the mechanics of rebate are still pending, Cynthia offers some information we should be aware of. Incentives are offered in two different types: 1) tax credits for efficiency and renewable energy upgrades; 2) electrification (HEEHRA) and efficiency (HOMES) rebates. Here are some helpful website links Cynthia mentions in our conversation: • Area Median Income Look-up Tool: https://ami-lookup-tool.fanniemae.com/amilookuptool/ • Greendoor.app by Pearl Certification: https://www.greendoor.app/
Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Rich DeCicco
33:26

Energy Efficiency Upgrades with Rich DeCicco

“Discussion about energy efficiency, net positive and locking your energy cost by installing solar power. They’re privileged conversations. But I want to deliver energy efficiency and the promise of being a part of clean energy future to bigger groups of people that don’t necessarily have access and make it a much more equitable thing.” Realty Energy Partners work with Realtors and their communities to build a solar-powered net-zero future and regenerate neighborhoods. Licensed in all 50 states Providing energy solutions that are more effective and financially sound than what "big solar" is trying to sell. Changing how solar and alternative energy is sold and financed. They are a trusted name in understanding, selecting, coordinating and implementing solutions that meet a building's needs and its budget. Licensed in all 50 states ☀️Providing energy solutions that are more effective and financially sound than what "big solar" is trying to sell. ☀️Changing how solar and alternative energy is sold and financed. ☀️They are a trusted name in understanding, selecting, coordinating and implementing solutions that meet a building's needs and its budget. They work with commercial, residential, and institutional Realtors to help their clients find the best path to fiscally responsible eco-development and renovation. Right now, only 4% of buildings in the US have solar power. But with their help, that number is going to increase dramatically. To learn more, visit our website: RealtyEnergyPartners.com
Low Carbon Design & Construction with Greg Roth
28:07

Low Carbon Design & Construction with Greg Roth

We are not looking to be orthodox about our ability to create low carbon footprint and green homes. We’re looking to educate people and let people know that this is possible, and you can do it beautifully, economically and have impact. Greg Roth is the senior designer for CarbonShackDesign (https://www.carbonshack.com/), a branch of Home Front Build (https://www.homefrontbuild.com/), an architectural firm. CarbonSharkDesign offers a holistic approach to green building design, integrating high performance, low impact materials with refined aesthetics, to create homes that respond to the way we live today. As a soup-to-nuts sustainable design-build company, they view every aspect of design and construction as an opportunity to shift the way homes are built today, towards minimizing our impact on the natural environment. From simple moves, like selecting touchless faucets or installing window shades, to more systemic applications, like upgrading insulation or installing solar panels – every decision you make about your home construction project can be viewed through the lens of its carbon footprint. And CasaZero is the case study house they designed and built to expand the definition of “green” to include the entire life cycle of a building and also one that examines the interconnectedness of our choices with the environment. See what else they have to offer at: CarbonShackShowroom (https://www.carbonshackshowroom.com/), and SustainableBuild (https://www.sustainablebuild.org/).
DIY Rainwater Catchment with Jesse Savou
36:52

DIY Rainwater Catchment with Jesse Savou

“Capturing rainwater and letting it make its way back into earth is really the most sustainable thing you can do with the water on the property, and a good way to guarantee water supply in a more sustainable way.” Do you know that an inch of rain on a 1,000 sq/ft roof topcan collect 600 gallons of water? Jesse Froehlich Savou, a native of Davis, CA native, thinks everyone should be able to harvest rainwater, so she set out to make that possible, founding BlueBarrel in 2012. Jesse developed her first catchment system in 2010 as an AmeriCorps project with Conservation Corps North Bay at the Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden located in Novato, CA. Her assignment was to build a 1,500 gallon rainwater catchment system with a budget of only $1,000. She and project partner John came up with what ended up being the prototype for the BlueBarrel System, using 22 food-grade plastic barrels and associated hardware in a narrow corridor next to the farm’s greenhouse. nThe system immediately proved workable, and Jesse decided to install one at her home… And then another… And then a third! With a few tweaks each time, Jesse refined what became known as the BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment System™—now available nationwide as BlueBarrel’s DIY RainKit™ for you to install at your own place. BlueBarrel (https://www.bluebarrelsystems.com/) now offers the tools and resources for successful home-installation experiences for rainwater harvesters everywhere! bluebarrelsystems.com/
Rainwater Only Landscape with Dane Shota
31:49

Rainwater Only Landscape with Dane Shota

"...soil without biology is geology. It's supposed to have life in there. So by telling people to use harsh chemical fertilizers I was part of the problem. I heard this saying, 'Be the solution, not the problem." Nationwide, landscape irrigation is estimated to account for nearly one-third of all residential water use, totaling nearly 9 billion gallons per day. As climate destabilization leads to intensifying heat waves, fires, and droughts, we are witnessing already burdened watersheds getting stretched to their limit. It's been estimated that California only has enough water supply to last one year, a state in which declared water shortage emergencies and restrictions to outdoor usage have become the norm. Approximately one-half of residential water consumption is used on our lawns. What if we could reduce water usage, sink carbon, increase biodiversity, and beautify our landscapes all at the same time? This is precisely what Dane Shota has sought out to do. As a bio-nutritionist, permaculturist, consulting arborist, and real estate broker, Dane consults with landscape architects and homeowners alike on using “rainwater only landscaping.” In this conversation, Dane will share with us his landscaping techniques for using only what falls from the sky to create beautiful, drought tolerant landscapes for his clients in arid climates. *At 20:19, Dane mentions the nutrients of the product lasts for 6 years, but he later corrected to mean 6 months.
Forging A Radical New Path in Design World with Katie Storey
30:16

Forging A Radical New Path in Design World with Katie Storey

“I am an interior designer. I call the architect who calls the contractor. We all call landscaper because we’re all obsessed with plants right now. But all day we’re working in tandem in a circle. So I thought everyone needs to be involved here. What does it matter if I spend all my time trying to source responsibly and bill my clients may be a little extra for these efforts […] if the contractor just goes in and throws everything in the landfill anyway? So why did we do that? We need to close the gap like close the whole circle.” Katie Storey is an established interior designer based in San Francisco, who had an epiphany when she realized her work was big contributor to a massive waste problem generated in the world, particularly in the design and building industry, despite her own personal practice in conscious living. One of the resources that awoken and inspired Katie was Earth Overshoot Day (https://www.overshootday.org/), which marks the date when humanity has used all the biological resources that Earth regenerates during the entire year. She founded The Good Future Design Alliance (https://www.thegfda.com/), a community of design and building professionals committed to reduce waste to “forge a radical new path.” She shares how this fast-growing network of design leaders are shaking up the industry with access to cutting edge tools to help them meet their professional low-waste goals, and invites designers, architects, general contractors, landscapers as well as manufacturers to join the movement.
Busting Myth of Induction Stove with Rachelle Boucher
38:32

Busting Myth of Induction Stove with Rachelle Boucher

“Chefs don't like it. It’s not gourmet way to cook. … I won’t cook on gas any more. And in my private chef life, I literally bring my induction hub to my fancy clients’ kitchen if they don’t already have induction because it cooks better, faster and more accurate.” Chef Rachelle Boucher (a.k.a. “The Appliance Whisperer”) of Kitchens to Life is a celebrated national cooking appliance trainer, private chef, influencer and event expert with over twenty years of experience creating custom training programs, activities and hands-on workshops for appliance brands, architects, designers, developers and end users to help them choose, use and enjoy modern cooking appliances and technology. After an adventurous career as a top private chef for celebrities such as filmmaker George Lucas, rock band Metallica, legendary sports celebrities and many other luminaries, Rachelle was recruited into the home appliance industry. She quickly became a celebrated corporate chef, trainer, and consultant with Monark Home, Sub-Zero & Wolf, Miele U.S.A. and many others working to showcase cooking technology such as convection, induction, speed cooking, steam cooking and more. This experience grew into a passion for electric cooking appliances which inspired her to become a leading advocate for electric kitchens and home electrification. Chef Rachelle has exceptional local, national, and international relationships with cooking appliance manufacturers, vendors, dealers, architects, designers, builders, influencers and industry groups including ASID, AIA, NKBA, NARI and experts in related fields. She is working tirelessly to bring electric kitchens to the forefront with her partner Robert Roth with their new venture, “Kitchens to Life” whose mission is to “Elevate the electric kitchens conversation, engage stakeholders with today’s inspiring cooking options and facilitate the adoption of kitchens electrification for performance, people and planet.” Rachelle recently joined forces with Building Decarbonization Coalition (www.buildingdecarb.org) to further the movement to electrify kitchens where abundant resources for electrification is available.
What's the Big Deal About Decarbonizing with Sean Armstrong
40:35

What's the Big Deal About Decarbonizing with Sean Armstrong

“We shouldn’t imagine that we’ll just get a $20,000 home loan and decarbonize the whole house. We could do that, but that’s not the most common way. More common, like you said, people are gonna have something that’s breaking or just broke, and they need to replace it. Now is the time to spend the money and I’m going to get an electrified version. That means like a 8-year horizon. You can get the whole house like by 2030 and that would be great for the planet.” Sean Armstrong is the Managing Principal of Redwood Energy and has worked for 25 years in building electrification, designed the retrofit and new construction of more than 10,000 all-electric residences for disadvantaged populations, co-authored five practical guides to building electrification, provided legal and technical support to dozens of gas bans nationwide, helped develop the 2016/2019/2022 and 2025 Title 24 California Energy Codes, and has received sustainable design awards from the United Nations, the U.S. Department of Energy and the SoCal Building Industry Association. Together Redwood Energy has led the design of more than 1500 units of Zero Net Energy, all-electric affordable housing, and 200 all-electric market rate residences. They provide Title 24 modeling, design support and Utility Allowance modeling to create cost-effective Zero Net Energy housing. Their projects range from cottages to high rise residences, commercial spaces and large facilities. Publications of comprehensive resources by Redwood Energy based on their extensive research are available on their website. http://redwoodenergy.net/research/