Is a Green Kitchen Remodel Right for You?
Think green! The average American generates about 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide every year from personal transportation, home energy use and from the energy used to produce all of the products and services that we consume. These emissions generate carbon dioxide, which in turn goes into the air that we breathe. Scary thought isn’t it? Unless you live in a vacuum you can’t pretend that you don’t know what is going on. Remodeling is a big step but if you are ready to create your dream kitchen, now is the time to think green and make it a room that is beautiful, functional, healthier and easier on the environment
A green kitchen remodel places an emphasis on energy efficiency, natural resource conservation, and the creation of a healthier home.
When it comes to eco-friendly remodeling, think of green as a continuum that ranges from light green to dark green. Most of us are at the light green end, which means we are starting to think about simple things like not using polluting materials and buying energy efficient products. If you don’t have the resources to embrace a completely green remodeling project right now, you can start with small solutions. Recommendations might include putting a low-flow aerator on your kitchen faucet to save water, or using a toaster oven rather than your large oven to cook, and replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs.
Is this enough? It might be if everyone thought the same way but there are still a lot of people who can’t be bothered. On the other hand, you may want to do more than your party and embrace the “dark green” or completely eco-friendly end of the spectrum. We are talking about using certified wood, consciously choosing to downsize, and making a concentrated effort to green your whole house.
The kitchen is a great place to start. You'll want to consider, among other things, using products with recycled content, or selecting healthier rather than conventional products.
We are all part of the problem whether we are conscious of it or not, but we can also be part of the solution. It is time for people to think globally about the demands for energy and natural resources in order to create homes that are healthy for the planet.
Green kitchen remodeling is not a question of taste, politics, geography, demographics of even budget. It is just a way of using energy and natural resources wisely, in order to create a space that is healthy and ecologically friendly. You can do this by learning about products and construction techniques. Many “green” projects can be done on your own, but there are now professionals with experience in creating eco-friendly homes available to help you.
Giving your kitchen a face-lift rather than ripping the whole thing apart is the most eco-friendly option. Redecorating creates less waste than full-scale remodeling. Smaller scale remodeling takes redecorating to the next level. In some cases this may involve replacing cabinets, flooring, counters etc. without making major structural changes. In planning a green kitchen remodel you want to look for ways to minimize waste and replace old appliances with ones that use less energy.
Here are some things to consider whether you are redecorating or designing a whole new kitchen: Identify your green priorities whether it is using healthy building materials or installing energy efficient appliances. Think green from the start, do your home work, and consult with green-building professionals.
More reading:
Good Green Kitchens
by Jennifer Roberts.
Green
Kitchen Appliances
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