Kitchen Upgrades That Make it More Energy-Efficient
Posted on: 20 June 2016
There are a variety of kitchen renovations you can make to increase the value of your home and make your kitchen more functional, but don't forget about the ones that make it more eco-friendly. With these easy tips, you will have an energy-efficient kitchen.
Install Energy-Efficient Appliances
While this isn't an inexpensive improvement to make to your kitchen, it is a really important one. The appliances you are using might be using much more energy and water than is really necessary. You can easily reduce your carbon footprint simply by getting better appliances. For starters, consider replacing your oven and stovetop with a more eco-friendly model, which will use less energy every time you cook. This not only helps the environment but lowers your monthly utility bills as well. You can also install a dishwasher that is friendlier to the environment by using less energy and water, as well as an efficient refrigerator.
Improve the Lighting
You can get better lighting in your kitchen while also making it eco-friendly at the same time. Choose lighting fixtures that are labelled as eco-friendly since these tend to use less energy. Combine the earth-friendly fixtures with fluorescent light bulbs and get rid of those energy-sucking incandescent bulbs. The added benefit is that fluorescent light bulbs often last longer, so you aren't replacing them as often, which helps to save you money as well. Also consider keeping the curtains or blinds in the kitchen open more often so you can get natural light during the day and are able to turn the lights off.
Have Green Countertops Installed
You can also have a greener home by installing new countertops. First of all, if you choose natural stone like granite or marble, these occur naturally in the environment, so you avoid harsh chemical processes. It can definitely lower your carbon footprint. Also consider using recyclable materials in your countertop, such as with concrete or glass. Many people are using concrete for their countertops since it is not only a greener option, but they are durable and can handle extreme heat, scratches, and other things that occur with prepping and cooking in the kitchen.
Get Radiant Floors
It is possible to combine durable flooring with your home's HVAC system in order to have a more earth-friendly kitchen. This is possible by replacing your current flooring with radiant floors, which have tubes underneath them to provide heat throughout your home. These floors can be installed in the kitchen and other areas of our home, so you get heat from the ground beneath your home instead of forced heat through the vents.
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