From a City of Piedmont press release on April 7, 2026
Get inspired by three Piedmont households who’ve made major home upgrades that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and model what the transition away from fossil fuels can look like at the household level.
The 2026 Sustainable Living Award honorees show that there is no single path to more sustainable living. Their stories reflect different starting points, different motivations, and different routes to electrifying their homes.
Hear their stories and celebrate them at next week’s Design and Sustainability Awards Gala:
Design & Sustainability Awards Gala
Wednesday, April 15, 6:00 p.m.
Piedmont Community Hall, 711 Highland Avenue
The Sustainable Living Awards, now in their third year, add a new dimension to the Planning Commission’s longstanding Design Awards program, which recognizes home renovation projects that reflect the highest level of design excellence among all the Commission has reviewed.
The addition of award categories showcasing green improvements is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to helping community members incorporate more sustainable choices into their homes and daily lives.
The 2026 Sustainability Award honorees are:
Brandon Bercovich and family 
Molly Lloyd and Dan Reardon
• Brandon Bercovich, Highland Avenue
Brandon’s electrification journey began with a heat pump and grew into a full home transformation. He made the switch to induction cooking after his gas stove triggered carbon monoxide alarms three times in one year, then continued building on that progress with solar panels, electrical upgrades, a heat pump water heater, and an EV charger. By 2024, he had fully electrified his home and removed the gas meter entirely, completing his household’s transition away from gas.
• Ellen Smith and Jeff Fucigna, York Drive
Ellen and Jeff set out to create a home that would stay warm in winter with less environmental impact. In just seven months, they completed a suite of major electrification and energy-saving projects – from a heat pump system and heat pump water heater to solar, battery storage, electrical upgrades, and insulation improvements – turning their “warmth without pollution” vision into reality.
• Molly Lloyd and Dan Reardon, Ramona Drive
Molly and Dan transformed their home one thoughtful step at a time. As systems wore out and opportunities arose, they chose upgrades that cut energy use, supported cleaner living, and made their home more resilient – from double-paned windows and a heat pump to an induction stove and EV charger. Their commitment extends outdoors as well, where they have created a beautiful low-water garden that supports butterflies and other wildlife.
If you’ve been considering upgrading to a heat pump, adding solar panels, or installing EV chargers on your property, the gala offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from neighbors who have done it all about lessons learned, the contractors they choose, and incentive programs that supported their projects.