The new year often brings about two things: (1) Resolutions that we (always/sometimes/never) keep for our (health/body/mind/life). And (2) house organization and renovations. The best kind? Making the latter more eco-friendly.The benefits will include a cheaper electricity bill, a more stylish home, and, of course, some love to our awesome planet.
Here are our favourite environmentally friendly kitchen design ideas:
Start Recycling
If you don’t already, make sure you recycle everything you can: paper, glass, metal… You’ll be surprised on how little waste you have.
Separate It
Once you start recycling, you’ll find it much easier if you keep it separated, instead of doing it the day that you bring it out. Keep the paper, bottles, plastics, and metals in their respective containers, depending on how your community prefers it.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Most large appliances have eco-friendly choices, with advanced technology that allows them to use up to 50 percent less energy and water than standard and older models. Look for the Energy Star Rating when choosing refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers and even some small appliances, like microwaves.
Go for an Induction Stoves
Induction cooking work by using electricity to produce a magnetic field that reacts with the ferric content in specific cookware. This, in turn, creates heat. The cookware gets hot and heats the food, but the stove-top doesn’t. That means that the heat isn’t wasted, food gets hotter faster, and energy and time is saved. Induction cooking is approximately 90 percent energy efficient. Gas and electric radiant, on the other hand, are 50 to 60 percent efficient.
Concrete Countertops
Use materials that are both durable and water-resistant for countertops, as well as back-splashes. Stained concrete is non-toxic and uses natural pigments instead of surface stains.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Maximize natural light wherever possible and low voltage for task and mood lighting. When possible, just flip on your range hood, and use a dimmer for dining areas.
Eco-Friendly Flooring
Renewable sources can provide you with a comfortable , affordable and durable floor. Bamboo and cork are great choices. They both mature in roughly half the time (or less) that hardwoods, grown in colder climates, takes to reach market size.
Keep It Cozy
Good insultation provides comfort and energy efficiency in a kitchen.. To add insulation to your already existing kitchen walls, blow fibrous insulation material, such as fibreglass or cellulose and mineral wool, into the enclosed wall, floor and roof cavities. By “dense packing” the insulation, it inhibits air circulation within the cavities, which elimates condensation, moisture problems and air leakage.
How have you made your kitchen eco-friendly?
Image courtesy of trueformconcrete.com