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Build Green

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Review our resources below to help make buildings healthier for occupants, reduce impacts on the environment, and save money on operating expenses.

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Home Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation (HVAC)

Heat pumps are an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners for all climates. Heat pumps are essentially air conditioners that can run in reverse to provide heating, and are 3-4 times as efficient as gas furnaces. There is also the benefit of only having one system to maintain instead of a separate furnace and air conditioner.

Visit the US Department of Energy for more information on heat pumps.

Hot Water Heaters

When replacing an old or broken water heater, there are important factors you can consider to maximize efficiency. Calculating the correct size of the system, installing low-flow fixtures, adding inexpensive pipe insulation, augmenting with solar hot water, or switching to highly efficient electric heat pump models are all great options to consider.

Learn more about hot water heaters at Energy.gov.

Cooking

Gas cooktops have long been considered the gold standard in residential cooking. However, newer induction cooktops are much healthier for indoor air quality, heat much quicker, are more efficient, safer, and are comparable in price.

Learn more about induction cooktop technology at Energy.gov.

Want to try out gas-free cooking? Check out an induction cooktop kit from the Santa Barbara Public Library's Library of Things.

Solar Pool Heaters