An Energy Makeover For Your Kitchen

The kitchen is a busy place and also uses a large portion of the energy you pay for.  Whether they use gas or electricity, kitchen appliances use up a lot of energy budget.  Meanwhile, the cost of energy becomes more expensive.  Here are some tips to conserve energy in your kitchen, make it "greener," and save money too.

How old are your appliances?  How efficient are they?  If they are old, they are probably not as efficient as they could be.  Certainly they are not as efficient as the new Energy Star rated appliances, which have a yellow sticker on them that tells you how much it costs to run them for a year.  In a few years, your savings in energy costs may cover what you paid for the new appliance. And the new ones will work better. 

Home supply companies are researching sustainable and renewable sources of building materials.  These include flooring produced from cork and bamboo.  These products have an interesting texture and are durable.  Using them when you remodel your kitchen will make it "greener," helping reduce global warming.

You may also find a warehouse in your area that specializes in recycled building materials.  If you can use some of these, it will both save on costs and on the energy use that would go into producing new materials.  This is another way you can help the "green revolution."

Forestry Stewardship Certification guarantees that the wood products you buy are not linked to the destruction of the rain forests or endangered tree species.  Look for this on the products you buy at the home improvement store. 

Suppliers are also making an effort to develop paints and stains that are more eco-friendly.  This not only helps you contribute to sustainability, it helps you avoid exposure to the hazardous chemicals found in some of the older products.  Read the label on a can of paint or stain before you buy it.  Many of these new paints are also nearly odor-free, which is healthier for your breathing.

Consider installing a skylight in your kitchen to use more natural light and less electricity.  Where you do use lighting fixtures, make sure to convert to the new highly efficient bulbs.

Tile and even granite, marble or bluestone are among the recycled items you may be able to buy, because they are so durable. They can be used for decades without showing wear.  They are also products that will upgrade your kitchen counter tops and back splash if you use them.  They are top quality materials.

When buying new, look for local stone to pave your patio or use in an entryway or your kitchen floor, instead of buying imported products.  This will save on the energy costs of transportation, and should also save on the purchase price.  The same is true when purchasing items made from hardwoods.  It is also a good feeling to know that the materials you are using are from your local area, and from companies that employ local people.

As you can see, being aware of "green" considerations when you go to buy products for your kitchen can help you contribute to sustainability, quality materials, and the long and healthy life of the planet.