The Hundredth Birthday Project
The hundredth birthday project is Lucinda’s five year plan to make her San Rafael bungalow eligible for green certification by the time the house is 100 years old in 2024.
In keeping with the motto to “think globally, act locally,” making our tiny piece of the planet as green and sustainable as possible is critical as we all face the realities of a changing climate.
As a Green Realtor, making these changes to her own home allows Lucinda to become the best possible resource for her clients. She’s researched the options, found the rebates, and carefully considered green upgrades to not only make her home more comfortable, healthy and energy efficient, but more valuable too. She can help buyers, owners and sellers do the same thing. Here’s to a greener world, one step at a time!
2020
This was a year for design and planning. Step one: a new front door! This solid wood door is far more air tight and secure, plus the design looks great and fits the neighborhood. We also took out an old concrete patio, replacing it with pavers spaced out with water permeable plantings. We added some raised planter beds for organic veggie gardens. All of the landscaping is on timed drip irrigation, reducing the need for water. New ceiling fans in the family room and primary bedroom were a lifesaver!
2021
We updated the main bathroom, reclaiming some space that had been enclosed during a previous remodel. Plumbing throughout our house was upgraded from galvanized metal to copper. Upgrading the heating system to an electric heat pump will have to wait, but electric radiant heat was added to the previously unheated bathroom, while a moisture-sensing high efficiency fan will improve indoor air quality.
2022
We started with a full energy assessment with Mickey Sousa of Energineers. Her recommendations included air sealing the attic, and adding wall, attic and crawl space insulation. All of the windows and the back door were replaced with energy efficient versions, custom built to match the existing ones. Enough solar panels were installed to power the whole house plus an electric car. Luckily, the new credits available thanks to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will kick in just in time!
2023
This year we focused on fire safety by removing some trees that were too close to the house, replacing them with a 3 foot-wide gravel pathway, and planting climbing roses to grow along an adjacent fence. We also removed some rosemary bushes that were planted along the foundation. We replaced our gas range with a Bosch induction one, and added wiring for both the new range and a high speed EV charger for our new RAV4 plug in hybrid. With the EV charger we achieved our first green certification from Pearl! Our house now has Pearl Gold status.
In the fall of 2019, Lucinda gave a talk at Tiny Talks Mill Valley on the Green Point Rating System developed by Build It Green of California.
Using her own San Rafael bungalow, Lucinda explores how older homes can qualify for the rating, and discovers what she can do to make her home healthier, more energy efficient and better for the planet.
Lucinda Speaking at Tiny Talks in Mill Valley.
Looking for more Info? Here’s the Green Point Rated Checklist where you can see the point categories and see if your home qualifies, or find some big and small changes you could make in 2022. You are probably closer than you think!
If you’re looking to get started with some home upgrades, Here are some good places to check out.
Marin County Sustainability Programs for Residents
San Francisco Rebates for Energy Efficient Upgrades
Want to live more sustainably? Click the links below to see video tours of green homes in the local community, and learn about the many resources available .