Kevin & Michelle’s Novato Home
ABOUT THE HOUSE:
It’s a 1953 small-footprint house with much of the original mid-century finishes and much mid-century furniture intact. We made a conscious decision not to do a wholesale upgrade on finishes and furnishings because we find the existing look to be charming. All of our improvements were made with a cost-conscious ethos. The total for acquiring appliances and paying for professional contractors for our upgrades, was under $25,000.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY:
Replaced all windows with double-pane windows
Installed under-door draft stoppers on all doors
Routine use of Sensibo Smart Home Climate Control (as seen in MGHT video)
ELECTRIFICATION:
Heat Pump Minisplits for HVAC: upgraded the old gas heating to an electric heat pump. See more in a video Kevin produced for Green Change about that project here.
Induction stove in all-electric kitchen (VEVOR Built-in Induction Electric Stove Top 30 Inch, 5 Burners Electric Cooktop, 9 Power Levels & Sensor Touch Control, Easy to Clean Ceramic Glass Surface, Child Safety Lock, 240V) $289 on Amazon
Electric Faux-Fireplace: we sealed our fireplace – too drafty! – to seal the building envelope better. (Allmar 36-inch Wall Mount Electric Fireplace with Remote) $189 on Wayfair
EV charges in 220 outlet using simple adapter
WATER CONSERVATION:
Simple graywater recycling system for the kitchen sink and dishwasher.
Second graywater recycling system for the clothes washer.
LANDSCAPE:
Drought-tolerant and native plant restoration by Blume & Dean Landscape Design.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Housekeeping by My Heathers Commercial & Residential Cleaning.
Fireplace and gray water installation by Valcon Plumbing & Construction, a husband-and-wife team based in Petaluma.