KJ Janowski, Los Altos Our home We purchased our four-bedroom, three-bath house near downtown Los Altos in 1994 and renovated and added on to it in 2000 and 2005. It now comprises 2750 square feet of conditioned space. During our 2005 renovation, we upgraded the master electric panel to 200 amps. So, we had plenty of capacity for all our electrification efforts. As of January 2025, our home and our motor vehicles are fully electric. Our main motivation for removing fossil fuels from our transportation and our home was environmental. Methane gas can trap 80 times  as much heat in the atmosphere as do carbon dioxide emissions. So, combusting “natural” (i.e. methane) gas in our home meant we were contributing unnecessarily to global warming. And since we were getting 100% clean electricity from Silicon Valley Clean Energy, none of the electricity that we would substitute would be coming from burning fossil fuels. We also had concerns about the health and safety impacts of burning gas for cooking and other uses. The start of the journey The first gas appliance that we replaced with electric was our clothes dryer in May 2008 after an appliance failure. I had a duct cleaning service over once and was alarmed when the service technician showed me the flames in the back of the gas dryer! This did not seem safe to me! Electrifying our rides In 2017, we got our first fully electric vehicle, a Chevrolet Bolt EV, and installed a 30 amp ChargePoint charger. Then in 2022, we replaced our gasoline-powered car with a Chevrolet Bolt EUV. Our ChargePoint charger synchronizes with our electric rate schedule and ensures that we charge during off-peak hours. (Of course, if we ever really needed to charge during peak hours, it is easy to override that.) Given our miles driven and the kWh/mile of each of our cars, we estimate that the cost of EV charging in 2024 (under our E-TOU-C rate plan) was about $1800. The switch to clean and responsive induction cooking Induction Cooktop In May 2021, we began taking additional steps to electrify our home, replacing our Thermador gas cooktop. We splurged and got a 36” Wolf induction cooktop and replaced the downdraft ventilation system. Cost: $5,696 (of which $2,417 was the new ventilation system) Rebates: BayREN rebate of $250 Tax credits: none We love this cooktop because it is more responsive than gas, heats up very quickly, is much easier to clean and safer than cooking over flames. We never smell gas in the house. Since the cooktop is on an island in our kitchen, the sleek, smooth induction cooktop surface essentially expands our counter space. So, for example, we can use it to serve dishes buffet style.  Comfortable, clean heat pump HVAC Heat Pump HVAC In June 2022, we replaced our gas furnace with a heat pump HVAC system. We were able to use the existing ducts without modification or additional cost. The air handler for the heat pump fit in the attic crawl space where the gas furnace had been. The heat pump component of the system was installed on the west side of our home, where the solar inverter and master electric panel were already installed. Since a heat pump HVAC basically runs forwards and backwards, whole home air conditioning was automatically a part of the installation. We installed a 5-ton Mitsubishi with a MERV 16 whole house filtering system. Cost: $19,533 Rebates: $3,000 TECH rebate Tax credit: $500 We have found that the HVAC system heats our home much more evenly than the gas furnace. The gas furnace would come on and make some noise and blow warm air through the ducts. Then the house would cool down and the heat would kick on again. In winter the house stays much more consistently comfortable than with the gas furnace. As the climate continues to warm, we appreciate the comfort of whole house A/C during high heat events. (Previously we only had A/C in two bedrooms.)  We also wanted the whole house filtration system so that we can have clean indoor air in the event of wildfire smoke. The last gasp of gas - heat pump water heating Heat Pump Water Heater In January 2025, our final gas appliance was replaced when our gas water heater gave out. We replaced our 50 gallon gas water heater with a 66 gallon State ProLine XE heat pump water heater. We included a thermal mixer on the system. This means that the water can be heated to a higher temperature and then mixed with cold water, essentially expanding the delivered capacity of the water heater. Cost: $5,758 Rebate: SVCE $2,000 Anticipated tax credit: 30% of $5,758 or $1,727 In July 2025, we had our gas meter removed and will be receiving a $500 rebate from Silicon Valley Clean Energy. Our electric bill In 2012, before we embarked on our electrification journey, we installed a relatively small rooftop solar system (2.96 kW). This was done as a prepaid lease for a total of $10,733. Since this was a lease, the system is actually owned by Sunrun. We are on a Net Energy Metering (NEM 1.0) rate schedule, which is no longer available. If we were to expand our rooftop solar, we would likely have to remove the existing system and install a new system as well as switch to the latest, less favorable NEM rate schedule. In 2024, the system generated a total of 3260 kWh. We have been on a time-of-use rate plan since 1994. We have had several different electric rate plans since then. In recent years we transitioned from E6 time-of-use to E-TOU-C and, as of August 2025, we are on the E-ELEC rate . The biggest single consumers of electricity are our vehicles. Given the annual mileage of our two cars and the average miles/kWh (4.1-4.5), we estimate an annual cost (under E-TOU-C rates) to be about $1800/year. This cost will be reduced significantly with the new E-ELEC rate, since the off-peak price/kWh will be 22-26% lower than under E-TOU-C. Winter peak rates under E-ELEC, when we might be heating the house, will be 23% lower under the new E-ELEC rates. Annual electricity cost in 2019: $745.62 Annual gas cost in 2019: $883.94 Annual electricity cost in 2024 (all electric except water heater): $3,624 (usage from the grid: 8440 kWh) Annual gas cost in 2024 (water heater was the only gas appliance): $334 We feel good about not combusting fossil fuels in our home or transportation. Increased comfort and safety are bonus effects! We look forward to the expected reductions in our electric bill under the new E-ELEC rate plan. If we were planning to be in our home for another decade or two, we might consider replacing our undersized rooftop solar system with a larger one and exploring battery storage. Date Appliance Cost Rebate Tax Credit Net Cost May 2021 Wolf 36” Induction Cooktop and new downdraft ventilation system $5,696 $250 $0 $5,446 June 2022 Mitsubishi heat pump HVAC 5-ton $19,533 $3,000 $500 $16,033 January 2025 State ProLine XE 66 gal. heat pump water heater $5,758 $2,000 $1,727 $2,031 Gas meter removal $500 -$500 Totals $30.987 $5,750 $2,227 $23,010

Today, more than ever, you can’t believe every headline you read. Almost as absurd as the idea of heat pumps causing pregnancy are the online claims from special interest groups about the prices of these appliances. Despite their deception, the truth is that installing a heat pump can cost you about the same as its gas alternative while providing a less toxic home and saving you hundreds of dollars a year in operational costs. There are numerous rebates available, some of which expire at the end of this year due to policy changes in Washington . We encourage you to explore your options now and act before you miss out on the best rebates. The rebate landscape varies depending upon which rebate allocations are used up or not, as well as city by city. If you are in Mountain View or Palo Alto, for example, you can get additional rebates for certain appliances, like heat pump water heaters, up to an additional $2,000! Almost all the rebates are ‘stackable’, meaning you can add them all up for even better savings. Certain income-qualifying households get even more rebates, literally making the new electric appliance and related electrical improvements free. Of course, there are outlier circumstances, like if the house configuration does not allow the change to certain electric appliances until technology evolves. A current pro-gas campaign will try to scare you by grabbing onto these outliers and using numbers for full home electrification rather than a simple heat pump installation. They claim most households will have to pay $50,000 to $100,000 to upgrade to a heat pump. Those are simply not defensible claims. In most cases, the math with the rebates makes great sense to act today, even if your gas appliance is not at end of life. All electric homes are the future, and the rebates are here now. Given the changing rebate landscape, we recommend you consult a contractor who manages the rebate process for you. The best places to see the qualifying rebates and find these contractors are: The Switch Is On  - incentives in California and a list of qualified contractors. Silicon Valley Clean Energy  – They have a ‘help desk’ you can call/email/chat with to help direct you in addition to a rich online description of rebates they offer. You can also reference the contractors that GreenTown vetted who exhibited at our Living Electric Fair in May in Los Altos. Federal Tax Credit : Save even more with a  30% tax credit , but only throug h December 2025 . Here's what you need to know .

By Vivaan Kuruganti and Margie Suozzo GreenTown created the WoW! program to reduce the impact of fossil-fuel based transportation on the environment – fewer car trips means less air pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions and to share the joys of walking and bicycling around town with residents. Not only does it feel good, but it’s good for you. For students, choosing to walk or wheel to school even a couple days a week is fun, supports focus in the classroom, helps protect the planet for the future, and boosts overall health. Why Walk or Wheel? Walking or biking to school offers a range of benefits for individuals and the community: Health & Focus:  A bit of movement before school boosts energy, focus, and builds lifelong healthy habits. Traffic & Safety:  Fewer cars at drop-off and pick-up times mean less congestion and safer streets. Environment:  Reducing car trips cuts air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions—small changes that help protect the planet. WoW! Momentum Is Growing Last year, Los Altos schools saw strong participation in the WoW! program. Families discovered new walking and biking routes, enjoyed quiet mornings together, and noticed a calmer start to the day. This year, GreenTown is excited to keep that momentum going with the help of school partners, including parent volunteers. Talk to your school about how they can implement prizes or fun activities with the WoW Program! Schools can offer a variety of items depending on what they choose such as pencils and stickers and other small prizes. If a school offers these they can collect them from the school's PTA lead. These tokens celebrate the effort it takes to choose a healthy, active way to get to school.  WoW’s Benefits GreenTown’s primary motivation for creating the WoW! program was to reduce the impact of fossil-fuel based transportation on the environment, and improve participants' health. Fewer car trips mean less air pollution and lower greenhouse gas emissions. More walks in the morning help open up the mind and can start the day with exercise. Choosing to walk or wheel, even a couple of days each week, is one way families can help protect the planet for the future and boost your overall health. How to Get Started Ready to WoW!? Here’s how: Prep your gear:  Make sure bikes, scooters, and helmets are in good condition and that helmets fit properly. Practice the route:  Before school starts, walk or ride the route with your child so they’re confident on day one. Start small:  Aim for a couple of days per week and build from there. Travel with friends:  Invite neighbors or classmates—walking school buses and bike trains are great ways to build community and stay safe. Stay connected:  Look out for special WoW! Days and school-wide events. Parents, you can also support by volunteering or helping coordinate walking school buses or bike trains. Contact GreenTown or your school PTA to learn more. WoW day at Gardner Bullis Elementary School Whether your family walks a few blocks or bikes a few miles, every step and pedal stroke helps make our environment cleaner, safer, and more connected. Let’s keep up the momentum and make this year the best yet for walking and wheeling to school. To help your kids get to school safety, Silicon Valley Youth Climate Actionis holding a Bicycle Safety Workshop for upper elementary and junior high students on August 23, 9:45am at the Los Altos Community Center. Register here . For updated safety route maps, tips, or to get involved, visit the WoW! website or email info@greentownlosaltos.org .

Say No to thirsty landscapes! LAWN-BE-GONE Conservation THE PROBLEM 57 of California’s 29 counties — including Santa Clara County — are in states of severe to exceptional drought conditions, according to the US Drought Monitor. Essentially, this means most California residents , at the very least, are experiencing water restrictions and shortages, and as drought conditions become more frequent, it’s necessary to lower residential water consumption. BACKGROUND 40-60% of California’s residential water is used for landscaping , which makes replacing lawns with drought-tolerant plants an effective and permanent way to reduce water usage. Choosing native plants can be beneficial because they are not only drought tolerant, but also low maintenance and provide habitats to local wildlife. Unlike lawns, drought-tolerant and native plant landscapes create biodiversity and attract essential birds and other species from the surrounding environment. Native plants also contribute to healthier creeks because they require no fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides: all top polluters to creeks. CASE STUDY For more information on drought-tolerant landscaping, native plants, and rebates, check out our case study, compiled by GreenTown’s 2022 summer interns. drought-tolerant-landscaping-Aug2022 .pdf Download PDF • 16.34MB MAP of various projects in our neighborhood that demonstrate drought-tolerant landscaping & native plants HOW YOU CAN HELP Visit our projects (see below) to see all the drought-tolerant plants we have used. Consider replacing your lawn with these plants or adding them to your landscaping. Also check out the resources on the right to learn how to create a native plant garden and tips on sustainable gardening! Native plant consultant Nikki Hanson explains the process of planting drought-tolerant native plants at the Woodland Library garden in Los Altos. VISIT OUR PROJECTS 1. Woodland Branch Library Drought-Tolerant Demo Garden Visit the Garden at the library: Location Map The garden was first planted in 2017 by GreenTown as part of a girl scout project. With the help of landscape designer Nikki Hanson ( nikki@cal-sisters.com ) of California Sisters Landscapes and many volunteers, GreenTown in 2022 cleaned up the grounds, layered new cardboard, layered compost, planted some new plants and made some adjustments to the drip irrigation system. It will get some wood chips and some new labels soon, and be ready for another five years! You can see the plant list on CALSCAPE or download a PDF from the Resources section on the right for additional info about how to care for these plants. 2. Planting the Paseo Visit the installation in the paseo adjacent to Akane restaurant on Third St . GreenTown collaborated with E3 Youth Philanthropy students interested in pursuing an environmental project. The goals of the project were: (i) to create planter boxes featuring drought-tolerant plants; and (ii) to use them to educate residents about reducing landscape water use. The colorful planters are now on display in downtown Los Altos as part of a flower-themed art installation curated by Arts Los Altos. Learn more about the work by The E3 Youth Philanthropy team here . Download a PDF of the list of plant species used in the planter boxes from the Resources section on the right. California Bees and Blooms: A Guide for Gardeners and Naturalists - Gordon Frankie, Robbin Thorp, Rollin Coville, and Barbara Ertter The California Wildlife Habitat Garden: How to Attract Bees, Butterflies and other Animals - Nancy Bauer Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants - Douglas W. Tallamy Teaming with Nutrients: The Organic Gardener's Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition - Jeff Lowenfels RESOURCES Woodland Library Garden Plant list PDF Plant list on CALSCAPE P Planting the Paseo Plant list PDF What native plants are good your location? By Calflora.org Find out how much water a plant needs in a specific city or search by water need and plant type for plants appropriate to your address Deep dive into understanding native plants through the local chapter of the California Native Plant Society GrassRoots Ecology Las Pilitas Nursery Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency For inquiries about Lawn Be Gone program contact us at: info@greentownlosaltos.org BOOKS

OUR PROJECTS Interested in volunteering with or leading a project? Email us at volunteer@greentownlosalos.org Pollinator Gardens Want to encourage song birds and butterflies? Plant a pollinator garden with California native plants! Small pollinator gardens scattered throughout the city will form a healthy connection for the insects and birds that will help them thrive. Learn More 500 Trees We have planted 500 Trees! Thank you for being part of this amazing achievement! Learn More Clean A Creek Volunteer to help us clean up the Permanente & Adobe Creeks Learn More Say No to thirsty landscapes Learn about saving water with drought-tolerant landscaping. Replace your lawn with a beautiful native garden! Learn More Recycle Water Graywater is lightly used water that is safe for most landscapes. Learn about the types of graywater systems and if they are is right for you. Learn More Manage Stormwater Run-off Minimize hardscape. Plant rain gardens and greenscape. Learn More Annual Bike Rides Join us for the annual the Historic, Summer & Winter Solstice and Lawn-be-gone Bike Rides Learn More Electrify You Home Make the switch to clean energy in your home. Learn More Try an Induction Cooktop Hear why this chef cooks almost exclusively with induction and won't be going back to gas! Borrow an induction stove from us - Try it and you wont be switching back! Learn More Reach Codes in Los Altos Electric homes save money, your health and the environment. Learn about why this is important and how the city is addressing it! Learn More Living Electric Fair Join Sparky the Firefly for this family-friendly event to learn how to make your home healthier by living Electric! Learn More

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