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Green@Home
Simple ways to reduce the use of fossil fuels, saving both carbon emissions and money
The future of home energy is electric, so this program offers information and resources on beneficial electrification in the home, which allows individuals a method to reduce their reliance on natural gas for cooking, space heating, and water heating.
Electric Home Tour 2024!
Join us to see how your neighbors have electrified their homes!
Event scheduled for Oct 19, 11 AM - 3 PM, in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
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Induction Cooktops Loan Program
Borrow a countertop induction cooktop kit for up to 3 weeks for free. Each kit includes a cooktop, a compatible pan, a carrying case, and instructions.
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Heat Pump Water Heating
An environmentally conscious alternative to conventional gas-fueled water heaters — including best practices for installation of a heat pump water heater in your home
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Solar Rooftops
A cost-efficient renewable energy alternative compared to greenhouse gas-intensive, fossil fuel energy sources.
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Menlo Park City’s Electric Gardening Equipment Voucher Program
Promoting hand-held electric gardening equipment.
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Induction Cooktops
Induction cooking technology is faster, cleaner, safer and more energy efficient than gas or traditional electric burners
Through Acterra, residents can borrow a countertop induction cooktop kit for up to 3 weeks for free. Each kit includes a cooktop, a compatible pan, a carrying case, and instructions.
Why Residents and Chefs alike Prefer Induction Over Gas:
- Great heat control, superior to gas.
- Safety. No red-hot coil, no open flame. No heat transfer unless there’s ferrous (iron) cookware on the surface. Auto-off setting that turns off the stove when you remove the cookware.
- Cleaner indoor air, compared to gas. Besides running on clean, renewable electricity (depending on your community’s electricity provider), induction eliminates indoor combustion emissions, leading to healthier indoor air quality. This reduces the chance of heart and lung diseases.
- Easy to clean. Just one swipe with a sponge does the trick.
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induction cooktop loan programs
Making Meals at Home More Climate-Friendly
Induction cooking technology represents a leap forward in efficiency, safety, and cleanliness compared to traditional gas or electric burners. Acterra is thrilled to collaborate with local organizations, offering Bay Area residents the chance to experience the advantages of induction cooking through our Induction Cooktops Loan programs.
Palo Alto Cooktop Loan Program
Fossil Free Mid-Peninsula (FFMP) is an all-volunteer citizens' group promoting local efforts to address the global climate crisis, to facilitate our Induction Cooktop Loaner Program.
FFMP advocates for swiftly and equitably transitioning to renewable energy, electrifying transportation and buildings, and divesting from the fossil fuel industry in order to reduce GHGs to net zero as quickly as possible.
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East Bay Induction Lending Program
Acterra is partnering with cities, community centers, and libraries across Alameda County to provide a free induction cooktop lending program to Alameda County residents.
Through this program, you can lend an induction cooktop for 2 weeks to see if induction is the right fit for you.
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Cooking Resources
Cook along with Acterra’s Chef-in-Residence Kelvin Briggs
Kelvin’s experience includes many positions at San Francisco’s The Slanted Door and banquet chef at The Sir Francis Drake Hotel. He gained valuable knowledge in sustainable practices as a sous chef for Chef Amy Glaze creating farm-to-table events in Pescadero, CA.
Solar Rooftops
The benefits and cost of installing rooftop solar at home
Rooftop solar can be a cost-efficient, at-home renewable energy alternative compared to greenhouse gas-intensive, fossil fuel energy sources.
Many areas of California provide generous sun exposure that allows the placement of solar panels on residential rooftops for the generation of clean power. Acterra’s commitment to education and outreach helps members of the community appreciate the benefits of installing rooftop solar at home.
What’s the cost? The cost of solar panels decreases by approximately 20% for every doubling in solar capacity. In fact, the current cost of solar in California has decreased by 62% since 2010! The upfront cost is expensive, but the fuel is free. You will save money over time.
Solar Cost Calculator
Heat Pump Water Heating
Heat pump water heaters are an all-electric alternative to the conventional gas heaters used at home.
Acterra promotes the transition to renewable energy practices such as heat pump water heaters from greenhouse gas intensive practices.
Residential energy consumption is one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions. Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) have evolved more rapidly in recent years as a 300% efficient replacement for standard electric water heaters.
They are able to achieve such high efficiency by moving two units of heat with one unit of electricity and putting all 3 units of heat into the water in their tank. These HPWHs work quite well in new construction when a 240-volt circuit is easy to run to the HPWH location.
California organizations are working with HPWH manufacturers to develop 120 Volt models that will plug into a regular outlet so it will be easy for plumbers to install them in place of obsolete gas water heaters.Menlo Park City’s Electric Gardening Equipment Voucher Program
Acterra facilitates Menlo Park City’s Electric Gardening Equipment Voucher Program
The City of Menlo Park, in partnership with Acterra, is excited to introduce the Electric Garden Voucher Program!
This initiative comes in response to a new city regulation set to prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers and string trimmers starting July 1, 2024. With this rule change, Menlo Park is taking proactive measures to support its community by offering financial assistance to ease the transition to electric gardening tools. Eligible residents and non-gardening businesses can receive vouchers of up to $250, while gardening businesses may qualify for up to $1,000. These vouchers are redeemable towards the purchase of electric garden equipment, including leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, lawnmowers, and more.
By offering this program, we aim to facilitate a smooth transition to electric garden tools, especially for those who might experience financial obstacles, thereby mitigating the environmental impact associated with gas-powered equipment.
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Upcoming Events
Want to make an impact in your community? Join our team of passionate volunteers, staff, or interns. Contact us to learn more.