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If you can only green one area of your kitchen, make it the appliances.
The kitchen is responsible for a good amount of your household’s total energy consumption—second only to heating and air conditioning. By upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, you’ll save money on your utility bill while cutting down on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by older models. It’s also one of the easiest areas to green up thanks to Energy Star, a program started in 1992 by the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) that promotes energy efficiency in household products and consumer choices.
The first thing to ask when shopping for an appliance is whether it’s an Energy Star–approved model. If not, keep looking. The Energy Star program rates the efficiency of household appliances. If an appliance meets the program’s criteria, it’s labeled with the blue and white Energy Star logo.
You can calculate an annual estimate of how much money you’ll save by switching over, as well as how much more efficient your new appliance is than one adhering to federal standards, on the website.
It’s important to know that you will probably pay more for an energy-efficient appliance. But Energy Star estimates you’ll save at least $80 per year by switching over. Plus, many states and retailers offer rebates for purchasing Energy Star appliances. Check with your local utility office and/or retailer to see what is offered.
"As the carbon emission is increase day by day and creating global warming effects.
There is no doubt about We all need to start consideringf the idea of going green as it is going to be future.
There are many things available in kitchen likewise steel, Glass, woods, Plastics replacing all can be very time consuming as well as money consuming also.
This article presents great futuristic...+READ
"As the carbon emission is increase day by day and creating global warming effects.
There is no doubt about We all need to start consideringf the idea of going green as it is going to be future.
There are many things available in kitchen likewise steel, Glass, woods, Plastics replacing all can be very time consuming as well as money consuming also.
This article presents great futuristic view."-COLLAPSE
If I could marry my Ice Stone countertops, I would. They're wonderful.
OK, bamboo flooring is NOT durable. Not even close. We have it right now and it is honestly the most high maintenance floor ever and I grew up with Old World parquet that needed to be waxed. We have bamboo floors right now and it dents, cracks and stains really easily. It's a good idea for lightly trafficked areas, but definitely not someplace like an average Chowhound's kitchen.
If everyone used a crockpot one day a week versus using their oven or stovetop we could shut down fossil fuel burning in a big way that day. Sad but true.
I think this is a great article for people to read who may not know much about the "green" alternatives out there. Way to go!
did i just read that glass and ceramic are high (thermal) conductivity material?
An important tip is: DON'T remodel, unless you have to. Buying all new materials, "green" or not, uses up a lot of resources and is often more harmful than keeping what you have.
If you need to replace something, then green choices are great. But remodelling just for the sake of "going green" is probably not a great choice for the environment.
I was surprised that no mention was made of Cookware and utensiles.
I am thinking of Stainless Steel versus Teflon/Aluminum.
Or Glass versus Plastic.
For the Non-stick cookware, a quote:
"But after 50 years of use, evidence is mounting that Teflon's key ingredient, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), "sticks" in the environment indefinitely. Environmental health advocates are concerned...+READ
I was surprised that no mention was made of Cookware and utensiles.
I am thinking of Stainless Steel versus Teflon/Aluminum.
Or Glass versus Plastic.
For the Non-stick cookware, a quote:
"But after 50 years of use, evidence is mounting that Teflon's key ingredient, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), "sticks" in the environment indefinitely. Environmental health advocates are concerned that exposure to environmental PFOA as well as to airborne fumes released when nonstick cookware overheats may be more toxic than realized."
It seems to me that the "old" materials (Steel, Cast Iron, Clay, Enamel, Earthenware, Stone, etc) were naturally good for the environment for so many reasons, not least of which because they usually lasted a lifetime, if not longer.
Any thoughts?-COLLAPSE
Hot topic! An eco kitchen renovation is exactly what I want to do. Not sure about the timing, budget or scale, so I'm saving bits of information to use when I'm ready. Thanks!
Looking recently to install a (cabinetry) closet organizer, we went to a 'green' builder. We learned some interesting things:
Even if you can get particle board with low-to no-voc's, the glues on facing strips are still pretty toxic.
Check out pressed wheat and other fibers. No glues used on these 'particle board' type products, and they are very strong. Some surfaces are stunningly...+READ
Looking recently to install a (cabinetry) closet organizer, we went to a 'green' builder. We learned some interesting things:
Even if you can get particle board with low-to no-voc's, the glues on facing strips are still pretty toxic.
Check out pressed wheat and other fibers. No glues used on these 'particle board' type products, and they are very strong. Some surfaces are stunningly beautiful. The differenence in price per 4x8' sheet of 'green particle' board (which still uses laminate (think sheet Formica), and no-voc wood ply with wood veneer is only about $20.
Often the extra cost of building green is in the labor.-COLLAPSE