Home Green Homes

What does it actually look like to flip a house the green way — and make the numbers work?In this episode, Izumi sits down with Mary Love, a North Carolina-based green realtor, building scientist, and project manager who has been doing eco-conscious real estate investment long before "green homes" was a mainstream term. Mary shares hard-won lessons from decades of rehabbing and renting energy-efficient properties — from wrangling reluctant HVAC contractors to educating appraisers on the value of sustainable upgrades.In this episode, you'll learn:Why insulation and air sealing are always the first priority — and how to do it without gutting the wallsHow to use blower door and duct blaster tests to document before and after performance (and use it as a marketing tool)What appraisers actually need to see to give green upgrades their proper valueHow rebates and incentives can make eco-flipping cost-competitive with standard rehabsWhy the conversation has shifted from energy savings to safety and resilience — and what that means for investorsThe "Fortified Standards" framework for disaster-resilient constructionMary's motto: "A little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing"Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to think about greener rehabs, Mary's practical, no-nonsense approach will show you that eco-flipping isn't just good for the planet — it's a smart business model.📬 Connect with Mary Love: [email protected] | lovethegreen.org

Are homes really built to last… or just built to sell?In this eye-opening episode, Izumi sits down with documentary filmmaker George Siegal, creator of Built to Last: Buyer Beware, to uncover the uncomfortable truth about how most homes are actually built—and why so many fail when disaster strikes.From hurricanes in Florida to wildfires in California, George shares heartbreaking stories of homeowners who lost everything—and the common patterns behind those losses. The biggest takeaway? Most homes are built to the minimum code, not for long-term resilience.If you’re a homeowner, buyer, investor, or real estate professional, this conversation may completely change how you look at homes.In this episode, we cover:Why “built to code” often means built to the bare minimumThe biggest mistakes homebuyers make when evaluating a propertyHow disasters reveal hidden weaknesses in our homesWhy rebuilding after a disaster can take years—not monthsThe surprising connection between resilience and sustainabilityWhat questions you must ask before buying or building a homeHow insurance, building practices, and human behavior all play a roleGeorge also shares practical tips—including how one simple correction saved him $1,000/year on insurance—and why homeowners need to take responsibility for understanding the true quality of their homes.🎬 Watch the film: Built to Last: Buyer Beware 📄 Free resource: Essential questions to ask before buying a homeBottom line:Don’t just fall in love with the finishes—the countertops, the floors, the “wow” factor.Understand the bones of the house… because that’s what determines whether it survives.

In this episode of Home Green Homes, Izumi Tanaka talks with Nick Grimm — a father, homeowner, and sustainability professional who is gradually transforming his 1953 Los Angeles home into a healthier and more energy-efficient space.Nick didn’t begin with a master sustainability plan. Like many homeowners, his journey started with basic maintenance: replacing appliances when they broke and making upgrades when necessary. But as he learned more about sustainability, each decision became an opportunity to choose better options.So far, Nick and his family have:Replaced a gas cooktop with an induction stoveInstalled a heat pump washer/dryerUpgraded their electric panelInstalled solar panelsPurchased an EV and chargerBegun planning for heat pump HVAC and water heatingStarted thinking about drought-resilient landscapingOne turning point came when Nick used an indoor air quality monitor while cooking on a gas stove — and saw pollution levels spike inside his home. With a young child experiencing asthma, it accelerated their switch to induction cooking.Nick also discusses the real barriers to electrification, including the complexity of rebates and the financial realities many homeowners face.Despite those challenges, he believes individual choices still matter. For Nick, the ability to take action — even one appliance at a time — is empowering.

If you're a homeowner wondering whether it’s time to replace gas appliances with electric alternatives — this episode is for you.In Episode 102 of Home Green Homes, Izumi chats with Akanksha Mathur, General Manager for Southern California at Elephant Energy, to discuss what it really takes to electrify your home.From heat pumps and induction cooking to rebates, incentives, and indoor air quality — we break down the electrification process step-by-step.Elephant Energy is a Certified B-Corp focused on making the switch from gas to electric simple, seamless, and climate-friendly. Akanksha shares her journey from mechanical engineer to climate advocate, and why education is the missing link in helping homeowners make confident decisions.If you live in Southern California — or anywhere thinking about clean energy upgrades — this conversation will help you understand:• What “home electrification” actually means• How heat pumps work• What incentives are available• Why indoor air quality matters• The biggest challenges homeowners face• How to make sustainable choices easierThe future is electric. The question is — are you ready?🎧 Listen now and learn how to make your home cleaner, healthier, and more energy-efficient.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Elephant Energy05:19 Akanksha's Journey to Elephant Energy10:15 The Process of Electrification15:44 Challenges in the Electrification Process20:59 Educating Homeowners on Electrification26:16 Personal Reflections and Future AspirationsMore Resources:Switch-is OnTECH Clean California

What does it really take to build homes that are beautiful, efficient, resilient, and responsible?In this special 100th episode of Home Green Homes, Izumi Tanaka welcomes Steve Glenn, founder and CEO of Plant Prefab, for an in-depth conversation that weaves together architecture, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and climate action.Steve traces his path from an early love of architecture to founding LivingHomes and later Plant Prefab—companies created to challenge the waste, inefficiency, and environmental impact of conventional construction. He explains what truly sets Plant Prefab apart: customized architectural design, a purpose-built factory capable of both panelized and modular construction, and a mission-driven commitment as a certified B Corp and public benefit corporation.The conversation also dives into Plant Prefab’s work supporting communities rebuilding after devastating Southern California wildfires, and why prefab construction can offer faster, more predictable, and often more cost-effective rebuilding solutions.Along the way, Steve addresses common misconceptions about prefab homes, shares what homeowners should prioritize when designing for climate resilience, and reflects on leadership, scaling a values-driven company, and what he hopes the future of housing can become.This episode is especially relevant for homeowners, home dwellers, architects, builders, developers, and anyone curious about how housing can be part of the climate solution.Key Takeaways / Listener HighlightsPrefab ≠ mobile homes: Plant Prefab homes are legally and structurally equivalent to site-built homes and cannot be excluded from zoning, financing, or insurance.Energy matters most: Over a home’s lifetime, operational energy use has a bigger climate impact than materials—efficiency and solar should be top priorities.Time is money: Faster, parallel construction can significantly reduce carrying costs, rent, and uncertainty—especially important in rebuild scenarios.Design and sustainability go together: High-quality architecture and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive.Rebuilding after disaster is an opportunity: Prefab can help communities recover faster while building more resilient, future-ready homes.Mission-driven businesses face real challenges: Scaling sustainably takes persistence, patience, and long-term vision—but the impact compounds over time.Chapters00:00 Personal Impact and Vision for the Future