From Guest Blogger Lillian Connors: Kitchen Greenovation

When the kitchen remodel is concerned, going green means making environmentally-friendly choices based on your lifestyle and budget. However, these choices are not always simple. A green product may outlive and use less energy but cost more than a regular product that does the same job equally well. On the bright side, market has never been more favourable to smart and stylish green products, driving the cost down. Let’s analyse the most viable kitchen remodel strategies.
Green kitchen furniture

Wooden kitchen cabinets produced through sustainable forest management practices are built with formaldehyde-free glues and finishes with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) that emit little or no toxic fumes over the years. When looking for cabinets, ask for those whose boxes are made with wheat board or straw board. Both materials are made from agricultural waste and put together using the same formaldehyde-free adhesives.

Eco-friendly floors

Renewable materials like linoleum and cork are an excellent choice, as they are both great-looking, durable and sustainable. Made from renewable biodegradable materials such as linseed oil and ground cork, linoleum is free of toxic vapours and can be found in many patterns and colours. It is a good choice for high-traffic areas, such as kitchens, while still offering some cushioning for the feet. When it comes to cork, there is hardly a more sustainable flooring material as it’s made of waterproof cork oak bark, which literally renews itself over the years.

Sustainable countertops

There are many varieties, but all of them share similar characteristics – recycled or sustainable content, low-VOC binders and sustainable manufacturing process. What is more, they are highly durable, due to their composite structure. Counters by Squeak Mountain Stone are made from recycled paper and glass, reclaimed fly ash and cement. Those made by Eco-Top consist of renewable bamboo fibre, post-consumer recycled paper and water-based resin adhesive. Others like Vetrazzo make their countertops using 85% recycled glass, drawing heavily from curb-side glass recycling programs.

Energy-efficient hot water system

Electric hot water systems are easy to install and typically cost less than other options. However, they are also the most expensive to run, especially when turned on 24/7. Systems that utilize natural gas run cheaper and are also more cost-effective, since gas prices don’t vary throughout the day. Although gas systems are highly-energy efficient, the heat pump is an even better example, extracting heat from the air and using it to heat the water, just like an air conditioner. Regardless of the system you choose, finding expert plumbers for installation is essential if you really want hot water plumbing done right.

Energy saving-appliances

Energy Star dishwashers with an energy-saving or quick-wash cycle are the perfect choice for green kitchens, as they save both water and energy. Some of them also include an air-dry option which uses circulation fans rather than energy-draining heaters. Refrigerator manufacturers are constantly improving technology and insulating materials, so today we have models that are 75% more energy-efficient than those made just 20 years ago. In addition, models with the freezer on top use 10% to 25% less energy than same-size models in side-by-side configuration.

Actively adopt recycling

Finally, there is much you can do yourself to make sure your kitchen stays green. Many cabinet manufacturers include options for lower cabinets such as pull-out recycling bins that keep the content organized and yet, out of sight. In some cases, these bins are designed to be positioned beneath countertop holes so you can easily sweep the organic content inside.

An eco-friendly kitchen remodel is a great opportunity to improve your home’s energy performance. expand the scope of your project beyond typical Energy Star appliances to include ecological benefits, sustainability and health considerations and you’re in for long term cost savings, comfort and safety.