Environmental benefits of going green extend far beyond helping protect the environment; many homeowners also see eco-friendly practices as ways to lower utility costs and increase resale values of their properties.
Making eco-friendly decisions can be as straightforward as opting for paints with no volatile organic compounds or selecting furniture made from recycled materials. Other ways of being eco-conscious include taking advantage of natural lighting and telecommuting for business meetings.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
While there are various things you can do at home to save energy, such as adjusting your thermostat or unplugging appliances when not in use and turning off lights, replacing outdated appliances with more energy-efficient models is one of the biggest ways you can reduce energy use and lower utility bills while making your kitchen an eco-friendlier space for cooking and entertaining.
Over 40% of total US energy consumption goes toward operating building-related equipment such as appliances, lighting and heating/cooling systems. Federal energy efficiency standards implemented through the Energy Policy and Conservation Act require manufacturers to design products which consume less energy than their standard counterparts.
ENERGY STAR appliances provide an easy way to identify energy efficient appliances on the market. Independent certification assures you of saving energy without compromising features or performance – look out for this logo when buying refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes dryers.
When selecting kitchen appliances, the most energy-efficient choices are those which utilize energy efficiently per hour. Appliances which utilize more power like ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators consume more power than those which are utilized less frequently like blenders, coffeemakers or toasters.
Selecting appliances that are properly sized for your space will reduce energy usage, and make a positive contribution to family lifestyle. Over-sized models consume significantly more power than smaller, similarly priced appliances.
Install low-flow water fixtures and a hot-water recirculation system as two simple upgrades that can make an immediate difference in lowering utility bills. Furthermore, consider adding insulation to the walls and ceiling of your kitchen; this will keep it warmer during winter and cooler during summer thereby cutting energy costs further.
Low-Flow Fixtures
Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures is another simple way to create an eco-friendly kitchen and bathroom environment. Showerheads, faucets and toilets all come equipped with water-saving designs that save thousands of gallons per year without sacrificing functionality or style.
When shopping for new fixtures, look for fixtures with the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards) mark to show they meet government regulations regarding energy and water consumption. This ensures they are good choices for the environment while potentially cutting your utility costs as well.
Replace old inefficient light bulbs and fixtures with energy efficient versions to help lower your kitchen’s energy consumption. LED bulbs offer great lighting solutions for cabinets and under-cabinet lighting as they use up to 75% less electricity compared to incandescent bulbs.
Lighting can make or break the look of any kitchen renovation project, making it an important consideration when renovating. If your kitchen features ample natural light during the daytime hours, consider only using this source during that period instead of artificial lights. Otherwise, NextGen Remodeling can install dimmable switches so you can control how much light is necessary throughout your day.
Make your kitchen more environmentally-friendly by insulate hot water pipes to prevent heat loss as it travels from your heater to faucets in your home. Or opt for an “on-demand” circulation pump which sends hot water directly from its source to faucets quickly, shortening wait time before the tap runs dry again.
As with appliances, the more energy your kitchen and bathrooms consume the higher your utility bills are likely to be. Installing energy-efficient fixtures will help decrease consumption while affording upgrades like tankless water heaters which may further lower utility costs.
Establishing an eco-friendly kitchen or bath doesn’t need to be complicated – simply selecting paint and light fixtures won’t do. Instead, this step will improve your home’s sustainability while drawing potential buyers when the time comes to sell it. To start planning for such an endeavor, create an idea file you can bring with you for consultations at remodeling companies; include Pinterest boards full of inspirational images as well as magazines featuring your preferred kitchens and bathrooms as resources.
Natural Light
One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to create an eco-friendly kitchen is through natural lighting. Daylighting helps save energy by decreasing internal lighting needs while making a space more visually appealing. By installing windows, skylights, sun tunnels or clerestory windows that let in additional sunlight throughout the day – such as windows with skylights – more sunlight will enter and create a bright and airy space perfect for cooking and entertaining – but be careful where these features are placed so they do not heat up too much during summer months and make air conditioning systems work harder than necessary!
Installing induction cooktops can also help cut back on electricity usage by heating cookware directly rather than the air around it. Not only does this save on power usage and emissions costs, but it may also prevent fossil fuel usage which is harmful to the environment.
An effective way to create an eco-friendly kitchen is by selecting sustainably sourced materials for walls, flooring and countertops. Options available to you include wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as well as recycled glass and concrete from recycled bottles or bottles from recycling centers as well as reclaimed wood or aluminum scrap. When purchasing such materials make sure that low VOC finishes and formaldehyde free adhesives and glues are considered when making selections.
Green remodeling can be an easy and cost-effective way for homeowners to reduce their environmental impact. The key is incorporating eco-friendly design practices into every stage of the design process from planning through completion. By taking an holistic approach to your remodel, you can ensure your new kitchen won’t just be eco-friendly but long-lasting and functional for years. Eco-friendly design has become a standard feature of modern living spaces; so contact us to discover how we can help create sustainable yet beautiful kitchen and bathroom environments!
Ventilation
Ventilation is key for maintaining healthy air quality in any home. Just like our bodies need air to circulate freely in and out, so fresh air comes in while old, polluted air gets out. Without adequate ventilation, indoor air may build up moisture, odors, gases and dust pollution which can contribute to mold/mildew issues as well as wood rot and damage to drywall – which in turn increase radon concentrations which could pose risks to health.
While renovating, always use exhaust ventilation (e.g. a box fan blowing out) from your work area to quickly clear away dust and other pollutants before they have time to spread throughout your home. In particular, make sure that any paints, finishes or flooring installations (such as carpet) use exhaust ventilation; this will help ensure their materials off-gas safely without spreading odors or other pollutants into other rooms of the house.
At your kitchen or bath remodel, one way of being eco-friendly is choosing products made with sustainably harvested materials and biodegradable or recycled content to reduce our ecological impact. When selecting eco-friendly items, look for those made from sustainable growing practices – organic ingredients for example – while choosing recycled material products helps lessen production of new ones.
Children can learn to be environmentally aware at a young age through watching and participating in their parents’ environmental behaviors. Talk with your children about why it’s essential that we preserve and protect the Earth so that future generations may enjoy it as much as they have now. Instead of going to casino to enjoy games, you can always enjoy online slot games through the yoakimbridge.com which can be ecofriendly as well.
Families should set themselves a fun challenge of adopting one new eco-friendly practice each month into your everyday routine, whether that means switching lightbulbs, planting a garden, or recycling more of their household waste. Doing this together can teach your children about protecting the environment while making them proud to share their green practices with friends and neighbors.