In the United States, 74 percent of people say that they think that the country should do whatever it takes in order to protect the environment. When you’re using your kitchen, did you know you could be helping to save the planet?
From the lighting you use to how much water your household consumes, there are things that you should be doing to help save energy and water, like getting energy saver appliances and water-friendly sinks. When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, make sure that you’re being as environmentally friendly as you can be. Here are the tips you need for your environmentally friendly kitchen remodel.
Focus on Eco-Friendly
When you’re building out your kitchen, doing your best to choose eco-friendly materials for the space can really make a difference. Ask your contractor if the materials that you’re choosing from are sustainably sourced, or ask them to recommend you some that are.
Many parts of your kitchen can be made from recycled materials. Countertops made from recycled glass, quartz, or acrylic look beautiful and can make you feel good about your choices. You can also find appliances in perfect working order that are recovered from other demolitions or renovations. From everything from your backsplashes to your floors, you can choose environmentally friendly materials.
Work the Water Efficiency
How much water are you using in your home? The older your sinks and faucets, the more water you’re probably using. Replacing your current sink with one that has a WaterSense label can reduce your water waste by up to 30 percent while still getting the job done. When you’re redoing your sink during a remodel, it’s a perfect time to get new, water efficient faucets. If everyone used a faucet that reduced their water usage, billions of gallons of water could be saved each year.
Look at Your Lighting
Anywhere you can, incorporate natural lighting into your kitchen remodel. Open up your windows, add windows, add a skylight, or do anything within your budget that your home allows to bring in light naturally from the outdoors.
Where you can’t utilize natural light, replace your incandescent lights with LEDs to help preserve power. They’re almost twenty times more efficient than your regular incandescent light bulbs, and last for decades. That means that once you install them, you won’t have to worry about replacing them anywhere in the near future. When you’re working on your new lighting for your kitchen, you can talk with your contractor on how to get the best placement with natural lighting and LED bulbs.
Control Your Coating
Oftentimes, redoing your kitchen means adding a fresh coat of paint to at least one of the spaces. Many regular paints aren’t good for the environment and contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds that release chemical gasses into the area. VOCs can also be found in cleaning products and new furniture, so make sure to check the label of the products that you’re buying.
Even after your paint is dry or you’re done using your cleaner and can no longer smell that chemical smell, the vapors still linger in the air VOCs can lead to headaches, nausea, breathing issues, and in extended use have even been linked to cancer.
Assess Your Appliances
If you haven’t gotten a new refrigerator in a long time, your energy efficiency is definitely not as streamlined as it could be. Kitchen appliances are infamous for being energy hogs, and can take up to ten percent of all the electricity usage in your entire home. Look for ENERGY STAR approved appliances when you’re remodeling your kitchen, and add them to the space. You might even notice a decrease in your energy bill that will make the renovation pay for itself.
Electric ranges also cut down on inefficiency. Electricity is a renewable source, as opposed to gas. Decarbonizing and choosing electric stoves instead makes your kitchen much more energy friendly than one with a traditional stove.
Change Your Cabinets
Old kitchen cabinets are also likely a big no on the energy efficient kitchen remodel checklist. If your cabinets are constructed from fiberboard, particle board, pressed wood, or plywood, there’s a big chance that they were installed with glue that contains formaldehyde. Not only is formaldehyde a carcinogen, it also releases gas into the air that’s harmful to the environment.
When you’re remodeling your kitchen cabinets, ask your designer about what materials are the most friendly. FSC-certified wood is a great choice, along with solid wood, recycled wood, or even bamboo. Be certain to pay close attention to the materials being used to assemble the cabinets as well.
When you’re planning to remodel your Kitchen & Bathroom, there’s no one else you should call besides Reico Kitchen & Bath. We know exactly what each bathroom needs to look as good as it possibly can, while still being environmentally conscious. We also love to give additional suggestions. For example, if you’re looking for eco-friendly floors and a contractor who can give you exactly what you’re looking for, we’re your go-to guide. If you have questions, contact us today to learn more about how you can do something good for your bathroom and the world at the same time.
