What does it really take to turn a home into an all-electric, low-carbon household? For our  Marin Green@Home Tour (happening on August 29th, 11 AM – 3 PM) host Fabrice Florin and his wife, Phyllis, the answer wasn’t to do everything at once. Their electrification journey began in 2019 with a simple goal: replace fossil fuels with clean electricity — one step at a time.

“As long-time environmentalists, we take climate change seriously,” Fabrice says. “To help cool the earth, we decided to do our part by replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity in our lives — one appliance at a time.”

Over the next six years, that commitment transformed their home. They switched to 100% renewable electricity, purchased an EV and e-bike, installed solar panels and a home battery, and replaced their gas water heater, furnace, stove, and laundry appliances with electric alternatives. In 2024, they took the final step and turned off their gas service completely.

“By electrifying our home, we reduced our carbon emissions by 75%, in just six years!” Fabrice says. “We also lowered our energy bills and are well on our way to reaching a carbon-neutral lifestyle in the next few years.”

A home designed for comfort — and cleaner living

Among all the changes, the couple’s new induction range has quickly become a favorite.

“We both love our new induction range, which is not only faster and more precise than gas but also safer since there’s no open flame, and no harmful emissions,” Fabrice says.

But for Fabrice, sustainable living extends beyond the walls of his home. His e-bike has become one of his favorite climate-friendly changes — and a source of unexpected personal benefits.

“My daily ebike rides have made me healthier and happier,” he says. “I get a lot more exercise, and riding in the beautiful hills of my beloved Marin Headlands have deepened my connection to nature and my own peace of mind.”

Start small, then keep going

Fabrice’s advice for homeowners who feel overwhelmed by the idea of going green? Start with something simple.

“Start with a few small actions that are easy to take and don’t cost a lot,” he recommends, pointing to LED lighting and renewable electricity as two accessible first steps. From there, homeowners can gradually take on larger projects, such as installing heat pumps, solar panels, batteries, or electric appliances.

“Once you see how simple it is to live sustainably, you will be inspired to take bigger actions,” he says. “Greening up your home is a lifelong journey!”

That philosophy is at the heart of why Fabrice and Phyllis are opening their doors for this year’s Marin Green@Home Tour on August 29. Rather than simply showcasing the finished result, they want visitors to see how their home evolved over time—and learn that electrification doesn’t have to happen all at once.

“Giving tours of our all-electric home is a great way to show people how they too can save money, save energy and reduce their carbon emissions in just a few years,” Fabrice says. “By seeing how we electrified our home one step at a time, without breaking the bank, visitors can get the confidence and knowledge they need to do the same in their own lives.”

Want to see what an all-electric home looks like in real life? Join us for the Marin Green@Home Tour on Saturday, August 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Fabrice and Phyllis’s home and explore the technologies and everyday choices that helped them create a cleaner, more efficient home—one step at a time.

To learn more how Fabrice and Phyllis electrified their home, read their how-to guide: https://greenchange.net/actions/all-electric/

Photos by Fabrice Florin, courtesy of GreenChange.net.