Tom Bassett-Dilley’s suburban Oak Park bungalow stands out. His front lawn is one large rain garden with abundant native plants. The home is lined with deep-red siding and metal paneling. It’s distinctive looking, but the appearance isn’t the star.
In 2021, Bassett-Dilley decarbonized the bungalow by cutting natural gas connections completely in the poorly insulated house. In the basement, a new mechanical system pumps heat in the winter and cool air during the summer. In the kitchen, the gas stove is gone. He quickly simmers chicken bones for a broth on top of his induction stove, a special type of electric cooktop.
