 |
Turn
Your Kitchen into a Green Kitchen
Most people do not realize that the kitchen is the most
energy-consuming room of a house, with oversized,
energy-inefficient appliances accounting for 75% of the
problem and energy-inefficient fluorescent lighting
accounting for the remaining 25%.
When remodeling your kitchen consider replacing
old outdated appliances with Energy Star certified
appliances that not only look great, but also will help
save you money on your energy bills. An Energy Star
qualified dishwashers consumes 41% less energy than a
dishwasher that meets the federal minimum standard for
energy consumption.
In addition an Energy Star qualified refrigerator
has a higher efficiency compressor, improved insulation,
and more precise temperature and defrost mechanisms
which allows it to use 15% less energy than
refrigerators that meet the current federal standards
and 40% less energy than refrigerators sold in 2001.
When remodeling your kitchen consider adding plenty of
operable windows to allow for natural daylight and
ventilation and don’t forget to purchase a Kitchen
Compost Crock for compostable materials to place near
your work and prep area.
Other options that you may want to consider are a
dish-drawer dishwasher—prefect for smaller loads; cork
floors, which offer the beauty of wood, are easy to
stand on and are more resistant to water than wood
floors. Also
make sure when designing your floor plan—do not place
your refrigerator near your oven as it will cause your
refrigerator to have to work harder.
Another ideas to consider is instead of
purchasing new cabinets, consider using reclaimed or
salvaged cabinets, which not only will not only be
recycling but will also you money on your cabinets.
|
