Energy-Efficient Kitchen Ideas
If you have the opportunity to upgrade your kitchen, you might as well take advantage of this opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only will you be doing our planet a favor, but your wallet will thank you, too. Consider these five energy-efficient kitchen ideas to cut costs and reduce your environmental impact.
Lighting
A simple way to reduce your monthly electric bill is by switching your lightbulbs over to fluorescents. Fluorescent lightbulbs cut energy use by 50 percent. However, you can cut down energy usage even more by utilizing natural light to brighten up your kitchen. If your kitchen is feeling dark and uninviting, talk to us about opening it up and letting some more natural light in. You’ll be amazed how lighting can transform a room (and not to mention your mood!)
Top and bottom freezer/refrigerator units
A stacked freezer/refrigerator unit is more energy-efficient than a side-by-side unit because not as much cold air escapes when you open one of the doors. A new stacked unit is also wide and typically brightly lit, making it easier to store and find items so you won’t have to stand there with the doors open for nearly as long.
Convection ovens
A convection oven is preferred over a conventional oven because it uses a fan to quickly transport heat so it cooks it 25 percent faster. Not only does this mean you’ll save energy because your oven won’t be running as long, but you’ll also get to eat sooner!
Dishwasher
Believe it or not, dishwashers are actually more energy-efficient than hand washing. Just make sure you follow a few rules: Only run the dishwasher when it’s full, don’t pre-rinse dishes and skip the heated dry. These energy-efficient kitchen ideas will help you save money and time!
Recycling stations
By recycling, you’re eliminating the waste of energy that goes into making completely new products. However, recycling can be so darn difficult sometimes. Make it equally as easy to recycle as it is to toss everything in the trash by incorporating a recycling station into your kitchen. We can build you a roll-out or pull-out recycling station to make it easy for your entire family to go green!
Going green doesn’t have to look glum. Take a peek at our inspiration gallery for dazzling ideas for your new kitchen. When you’re ready to go green, give us a call and we’ll get working on making your dream kitchen a reality!