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Katharine’s Albany Home

Katharine was a renter until 2023, when she bought her first home. Her consultancy - Sangha Strategies LLC - offers consulting on building decarbonization, marketing, and project management to advance sustainability initiatives. Here is a case study of her house.

ENERGY & EFFICIENCY

  • Light colored shingles to reflect more light/heat

  • Laundry air drying rack

ELECTRIFICATION

  • Portable induction stove (renter friendly!) 

  • Heat pump water heater with external air supply to allow for woodworking/sawdust in the garage, installed by Electrify My Home

  • Heat pump HVAC system, with both ducted and ductless/mini-split portions and a single outdoor condenser ("the big fan thing"), installed by Electrify My Home

WATER CONSERVATION

  • Reclaimed water: Using a bucket in the bathroom to catch extra shower water and then using it to water plants

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE

  • Low-water landscaping (mostly in front)

  • Street trees in public right-of-way in front, free thanks to the City of Albany Measure DD utility tax!

NONTOXIC & SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

  • Second-hand furniture (current dining room chairs came from college students getting rid of them off the street! They're solid wood!)