Tips for Energy Efficient Kitchen Remodels
A remodeling project can be really exciting and rewarding, and one way to enhance the benefits of the remodel is to upgrade your kitchen's energy efficiency. Consider the green implications of the remodel ahead of time while keeping some of the following ingredients in mind and you'll have a surefire recipe for a more eco-friendly kitchen.
- Insulation is of the biggest and most economical energy saving solutions and it is possible to save a tremendous amount on utility bills by simply boosting a kitchen's insulation value.
- So if you are putting in any new walls or opening up walls to repair plumbing or electrical systems during your remodel, use the chance to add extra insulation inside the walls.
- Another inexpensive and easy way to improve insulation is to caulk anywhere that energy can escape. Pay attention to wall, floor, and ceiling gaps, and to electrical outlets and places where pipes or vents connect to the outdoors via openings that might wick away energy.
- When changing out old windows install energy efficient windows that have high-performance glazing, because those also insulate to save heating and cooling costs.
- Use Energy Star rated appliances and take advantage of the opportunity of a remodel to convert the kitchen from electricity to natural gas. Even if your home does not have gas lines it is usually possible to add them at a nominal cost.
- Choose paints and stains that have Green Seal certification and are low in VOCs, and avoid cabinets made from particleboard because many of those contain toxic formaldehyde.
- Design and install a recycling center into the kitchen counter for easy access and to simplify household recycling procedures. Meanwhile, choose durable, easy-to-clean countertops and backsplashes made from renewable materials such as bamboo or decorative concrete.
Once the kitchen is redone, the way it is used and how you operate the appliances will have a serious impact on energy demands. So adjust appliances to energy saving settings. Also use the dishwasher only when you have a full load, for example, and don't keep the water running in the sink or the oven turned on any longer than absolutely necessary. Recycle any old cabinetry and other useful and salvageable items to Habitat for Humanity. That way they can be reused in the construction of an affordable home for a deserving family.
