PALO ALTO, CA — This fall, Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet (Acterra) is proud to present the Electric Home Tour 2024, a free, community-powered event inviting the public to explore innovative, electrified homes across the Bay Area. On Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, homeowners throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties will open their doors to showcase the electric appliances and equipment they’ve installed as replacements for gas-powered products.

Building on the success of last year’s tour, the 2024 edition promises an even richer experience with new features and expanded participation. Attendees will have the chance to see firsthand a wide variety of electric appliances and equipment including energy-efficient heat pumps for home heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, electric fireplaces, electric vehicles (EVs), EV chargers, solar panels, battery storage systems, and more.

“We’re excited to see the growing enthusiasm for sustainable living in our community,” said Lauren Weston, Executive Director of Acterra. “The Electric Home Tour 2024 not only highlights clean energy technology but also brings people together to share real-life experiences, making the journey to electrification accessible and inspiring for everyone.”

The tour allows visitors to meet residents who have made the switch to electric homes, providing a unique opportunity to ask questions about the retrofit process directly from those who have done it themselves. Instead of hearing a sales pitch from a home appliance salesperson, visitors can ask tough questions and get honest, first-hand information from multiple homeowners in a single day.

About the Electric Home Tour
The mission of the Electric Home Tour is to empower homeowners and communities to transition from gas to electric home appliances, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By promoting the electrification of homes using clean energy, the tour plays a crucial role in combating climate change and fostering a sustainable future.

The Electric Home Tour, initiated in 2022 by dedicated volunteers, showcases sustainable living practices in the Bay Area. The inaugural event, originally titled the “Green Home Tour,” took place on September 24, 2022, featuring 19 eco-friendly homes across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, from Millbrae to San Jose, attracting over 500 visitors. The second installment, rebranded as the “Electric Home Tour,” was held on October 14, 2023, and expanded to 36 registered homes, despite four cancellations due to COVID-19. This event saw an impressive turnout, with 1,287 visitors registered and 754 individuals who participated in the tour. The total number of visits recorded was 1,746, reflecting that some participants visited multiple homes (e.g., one person visiting three different homes is counted as three visits).

Registration and Additional Information
Registration for the Electric Home Tour 2024 is now open via Eventbrite. More information about the tour and the list of participating homes can be found at Acterra’s website. The free Tour is made possible through the generosity of sponsors — The City of Palo Alto, Peninsula Clean Energy, San Jose Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Stanford Community Engagement, Stanford Haas Center for Public Service and Silicon Valley Power.

About Organizer
Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet (acterra.org) is a San Francisco Bay Area 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Palo Alto that brings people together to create local solutions for a healthy planet. Through education and policy advocacy, Acterra helps accelerate the beneficial electrification of homes, businesses, and transportation, supports more climate-friendly food choices such as plant-forward diets and reduced food waste, and empowers youth to better understand and act on the climate crisis.

This project could not have been done without the support of the volunteers that started and ran the program in 2022 and 2023. We extend our gratitude in both trusting us with this program, and their continued support in making the 2024 event  a success.

Media Contact Information:
Uliana Mazan (she/her)
Digital Media Manager
Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet
uliana.mazan@acterra.org
(408) 641 8978
acterra.org