Kitchen Design Ideas That Are Eco-Friendly

You already know that your kitchen is one of the most significant rooms in your house as a homeowner. It's where you cook and keep food for yourself and your family, where you entertain visitors, and it's probably the busiest room in the house. In the realm of design, the green kitchen is a new trend. It is a concept to take care of our world by doing things differently and with less influence on environment, not just for green-minded individuals. This sort of kitchen design has been around for a while, but it's just lately evolved into something that appeals to more people than simply those who wish to live a greener lifestyle. And, as an environmentally concerned designer or individual, you want to make sure that while creating or rebuilding this area, you are doing all possible to make it both attractive and sustainable.

Kitchen Cabinets that are Eco-Friendly

There are several environmentally friendly kitchen cabinets to pick from in today's society. What you want is simple: appealing cabinetry made of sustainable materials that comes in a choice of designs and colors. The good news is that your choices are nearly endless. Kitchen cabinets made of sustainable materials are a terrific way to acquire the style you desire without breaking the bank. Custom cabinet refacing may be a more cost-effective and long-term solution for updating the look of kitchens without having to entirely renovate them.

When thinking about cabinets made from sustainable resources, it's crucial to think about the materials that were utilized to make it. While genuine wood gives durability and a natural feel that is attractive to the eye, harmless alternatives such as wheatboard or plywood can also be used to assure safety. 

Flooring that is friendly to the environment

Consider lino or cork, both of which are incredibly sturdy, if you want long-lasting and beautiful flooring derived from natural, renewable materials. Both are created from renewable materials and may be fitted in your kitchen to match your existing color scheme with patterned tiles or a more subtle shade.

Linoleum is made from natural, renewable materials like wood pulp and has a protective coating of vinyl on the outside to prevent scratches and spills. It's soft underfoot while yet being durable enough for high-traffic areas like corridors and living rooms; it's ideal for long-term durability without sacrificing beauty.

Cork panel flooring have the same warm feel of wood, but they don't require as much upkeep as laminate since they're resistant to scratches, water damage, and mold development. You get all of the advantages of natural materials at a low cost.

Countertops that are friendly to the environment

The ideal green countertop is more than simply a work surface for preparing meals. With its lovely appearance and wonderful natural ingredients, it may be the center point of your kitchen, or it can act as both an eye-catching centerpiece and a useful desk in whatever area you choose to install one.

A gorgeous kitchen solution that combines optimal health and environmental effect with flawless beauty is an eco-friendly countertop. Choose a robust natural material with repairable elements, such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, or recycled glass, for an environmentally responsible solution that will endure for a long time.Visual appeal isn't just about looks: the durability of your new kitchen counter means you won't have to replace it as often, saving you both time and money.

Choosing environmentally friendly worktops and backsplashes created from recycled materials like old bottles or bricks keeps these items out of landfills, where they would take decades to decay. They also won't harm the environment like other items that, if incorrectly disposed of, might release poisons into our atmosphere or water supply.

With their natural colors and textures, eco-friendly countertops will not only make your kitchen more ecologically responsible, but they will also look beautiful.

Features that conserve water 

When it comes to kitchen fixtures, there are a variety of options available to help you save money and lessen your home's environmental effect. Choosing faucets with aerators, which pump air bubbles into the water stream, for example, can provide pressure comparable to a normal fixture while consuming less water. By avoiding running cold or tepid water until the tap heats up, recirculation pumps maintain hot water at the tap and save hundreds of gallons each year. Tankless heaters benefit from this method as well, using 10% to 20% less energy and conserving more water. Installing a water filter is another option for reducing the quantity of plastic bottles used for drinking water. Upgrade your sink faucets to touch-free and automatic shutoff for a more convenient and simple method to conserve water. Make sure all of your plumbing fixtures have the Water Sense label to save water without losing quality.

Lighting that saves energy and renewable energy

It is critical to be energy efficient. It is a high priority in our culture today, for both economic and environmental reasons. It's critical to make informed selections regarding your light sources in order to keep your home safe and energy-efficient. Look for the Energy Star certification on an HVAC system or an item like lighting fixtures.

Install dimmer switches on lights so you can choose when they should be brighter, saving not just electricity but also time. Your home will look lovely at any brightness level while preserving valuable resources like electricity. Similarly, wherever feasible, replace bulbs with LED bulbs; these are not only less expensive up front, but they also last far longer, allowing you to save even more money.

Recessed lighting should only be utilized if it is airtight or uses fluorescent bulbs; moreover, motion or occupancy sensors can conserve energy by turning lights on only when they are needed.

Installing solar panels on your roof will provide you with a more environmentally friendly energy source. Solar power is a cost-effective and efficient renewable energy source that can replace fossil fuels.

Improve Air Quality

The quality of the air flowing in your house is an essential factor to consider. Because we spend the majority of our time at home, keeping it clean and healthy should be a top concern.

Installing a custom range hood in your kitchen or living room is a simple approach to enhance your home's overall air quality. If left unchecked, smoke remains around cooking areas for lengthy periods of time, making food taste terrible and allowing dangerous compounds like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide to enter your respiratory system through inhalation. Ventilation can be hampered by closed doors and windows. This gadget keeps your kitchen adequately ventilated by circulating air in all directions, eliminating the need to worry about heat sources like ovens or burners.

Proper ventilation is even more important in today's homes, which are intended to be more energy efficient. Vents are best placed in kitchens or near large sources of heat/smoke emission, such as ovens or fireplaces; charcoal filters can be fitted within vents, and exhaust fans draw smoke out via windows.

Make Your Daily Life Greener

Being sustainable and eco-friendly isn't the easiest thing in the world, but this is something we all need to do if we want to make our world a better, happier, and healthier place. We all need to join this battle and do our share of the work, and this is the only way to make a difference in the long run. Luckily, there are lots of ideas you can try out and the best thing about them is that they're easier than you can imagine and quite simple to turn into practice. In case you'd like to make your everyday life greener, here are a few ideas to take into consideration as soon as you can. 

Recycle

This might be the oldest trick in the book, but that doesn't mean it's ineffective. On the contrary, exploring the recycling philosophy and joining this movement is the best thing you can do to make your home greener than it's ever been. One of the problems most people have with recycling is the fact that they believe that this idea is too hard to turn into reality and that's why they don't want to waste their time, energy, and patience turning it into practice. However, if you think about recycling for a moment, you'll realize that it's easier to try it out than most of us anticipate. Just get a few recycling bins, start sorting your waste, and learn what you can do with it afterward - and that's it!

Reuse and repurpose

Once you discover the wonders of recycling, you'll want to take things to the next level very quickly, and the best way to do that is by checking out the wonders of reusing and repurposing your stuff. Instead of throwing it away and wasting your money on new items and materials, you can try reusing it once again or giving it a new purpose. This process will require you to be creative, imaginative, and a bit handy, but the benefits you'll soon start seeing are huge. You're going to save tons of money and protect tons of resources, and when you're looking for ways to be eco-friendly at home, this is the right thing to do. This will give you a chance to maximize your possessions, extend their lifespan, and make the most of their quality, and that might end up being more sustainable than you can imagine. 

Go natural

Another great day to be sustainable is to use natural products in every corner of your home. Most people don't even realize how dangerous and harmful some of the things we use every single day truly are, and the fact is that these items harm the environment around us on several different levels. That's why opting for natural products is always a good idea, and this is something you need to start doing as well, as soon as possible. From homemade cleaning products to the amazing natural skin care that will do your body lots of good - these are the things that will help you have a better and more natural life, as well as protect Mother Earth at the same time, which makes this a win-win idea for all those fans of sustainability out there. 

Replace your light bulbs

This is another simple yet highly effective trick that can take your sustainability potential to a whole new level very quickly. Instead of the old light bulbs that use tons of energy and provide you with no efficient lighting, you need to install those new LED bulbs that save you energy and money. These might cost more at first, but they’re going to turn out to be very cost-effective in the future because they can last for years and years. And if you replace all your light bulbs with these, you’re going to start noticing positive changes in just a month or two, not just on your electricity bill, but in your environment as well.

Rethink your water usage

Wasting tons of water every single day is easier than you think - whether your showers are taking too long or you’re washing your dishes too often, this is easy to happen even if you’re not paying attention to it. And though most of us are unaware of this fact, water consumption is one of the worst problems in the world when it comes to being sustainable and eco-friendly. That’s why rethinking your water usage and doing something to change it is just the thing you need to do if you wish to be more sustainable. Using less water at home shouldn't be too hard once you start paying attention to it, so start doing it right now and the change you’ll introduce is going to be massive.

Being greener at home isn’t hard at all - all you have to do is find ideas that work for you and that gives you a chance to maximize your efforts, so begin this process ASAP!

Energy-Friendly Renovations to Complete This Spring

Green home improvements can not only lower your utility bills and reduce your family's carbon footprint, but homeowners can also earn tax credits — sometimes 30 percent or more — if they make the right choices. It is one of the leading reasons homeowners and investors consider energy-efficient home improvement options. In addition, green homes usually bring in a 10% higher value than standard homes.

No matter what's on your spring to-do list, the following improvement ideas should be at the top.

The Smart Thermostat

Invest in smart thermostats right away. This high-tech type of thermostat has been proven to save money, sometimes as much as $200 a year. You can even adjust the temperature while you are away from home to minimize energy usage.

Energy Efficient Windows

Having the right kind of windows installed will be a great benefit to you and your family. If you have children, you may want to prioritize windows that can minimize safety hazards. In addition to added safety, proper window installation can help keep your electric bill affordable. Windows with a quality seal will help prevent warm or cold air from escaping your house which can help you limit the usage of your HVAC system. Remember to take your time and search for an installation expert who is reputable.

LED Lighting

LED lighting is a great home improvement as these lights use 80 percent less energy and last about 25 percent longer than standard bulbs. Plus, they are mercury-free and are always cool to the touch which helps you save on AC costs.

Solar Shutters

Solar shutters use photovoltaic panels that return power to the electrical system. It produces about 500 watts per hour and blocks heat gain or loss better than standard shutters.

Solar Panels

The best way to go green is by adding solar panels to your home. Yes, it can be expensive, but it can also add to your bottom line when you decide to sell your home. Plus, you could be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit for the new installation.

Solar Water Heaters

The Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit allows homeowners to deduct up to 10 percent of the costs, including installation. In addition to operating like standard water heaters, solar-heated tanks have backup electric, natural gas, or propane systems, if necessary.

Eco-Friendly Building Products

The advantages of green buildings made with eco-friendly products are numerous. Among the benefits of a green building are durability, energy and water savings, and improved indoor air quality. If you decide to go green, you will get a more durable, more power- and water-efficient, and healthier home for about the same price as a conventional house.

Besides the above-mentioned improvements, you may want to test your home for green home standards to make sure you qualify for tax credits. With so many incentives available you can easily see how easy it is to implement energy efficiencies and there is no longer an excuse not to go green.

Guest Post - Water Efficiency Facts Everyone Should Know

Water is a necessity. You need water for various activities and tasks – taking a bath, washing the dishes, cooking, gardening, and doing the laundry, among many others. However, despite its value, people often take it for granted. 

Whether at home, in the restaurant, or even on the road, there’s almost always somebody wasting water. At home, how many times have you reprimanded your son or daughter for forgetting to turn off the faucet after brushing their teeth? While eating in a restaurant, do you ask for water only when you’re sure to drink it, or do you ask just because you can? While driving, how many broken fire hydrants spewing out water did you see?

The Global Water Situation

In the Second UN World Water Development Report, an emphasis is given to humanity’s increasing demand for and the scarcity of safe, potable drinking water. If the consumption levels remain the same, approximately 2/3 of the world’s population may not have enough water supply by the year 2025. Some areas may have water, but they won’t be safe for human use. By this time, water purification systems would have become a need for most homes. For other households, water rationing may have to be the standard practice. 

These scenarios can be prevented if every household seriously considers changing their lifestyle by making water efficiency a regular practice. 

Why is Water Efficiency Important?

For some people, simple acts like turning off the faucet after and when not in use may be a small thing; but it becomes entirely significant when you consider the thousands (or millions) of homes that are also doing it. One action multiplied several times over is already a big impact. 

Water efficiency is not the same as water conservation, which is concerned with decreasing the amount of waste. Efficient water practices are about restricting the use of water and wastage. It also involves behavioral and lifestyle changes. It does not involve environmental agencies or organizations; it involves consumers willing to contribute simple acts that can help lessen water wastage. 

Making Your Home Energy Efficient

The best way for your home to become energy efficient is to be aware of what you should and should not do – to follow standards and make necessary changes in the way you do things. Here are some water efficiency facts to help you start:

1. One American consumes approximately 88 gallons of water per day in a household. 

You do not have to completely stop using water in your home – that’s not possible. You simply have to learn to use it more efficiently. Reduce consumption by choosing only what’s necessary, such as washing the dishes and cooking. You don’t need to do the laundry every day or every other day. 

You can also reduce the volume of water you use for washing the dishes. Other household tasks that need water use, like gardening, should only be done when necessary. Recycling water is also a good idea. For example, the water you use for washing the dishes can be used to water the plants in your garden.

2. Doing your laundry is one of the activities that consume a significant amount of water - around 22% of total home use, to be exact. Ensure that your washing machine load size is ideal for the volume of clothes you are about to wash.

Also, always use cold water for your washing machine to help bring down energy use.

3. Your lawn may also be a big water user. More or less 50% of household water consumption is attributed to outdoor elements.

As such, lawn sprinkling should be done in the early hours of the morning, typically around 4 am and 6 am. These are the hours when the demand for water is low.

4. Front-loading washing machines are typically more water and energy-efficient than the majority of top-loading washing machines. Front-loading ones normally need only more than 20 gallons per load, while top-loading ones need at least 40 gallons for every load. However, top-loading washing machines are now sold in appliance stores.

5. Although dishwashing contributes less than 2% of your water footprint, you can still wash the dishes more efficiently. 

If you can afford to, use a dishwashing machine as it is way more water-efficient than regular dishwashing by hand. 

Hand washing the dishes consumes around 20 gallons of water, while standard dishwashers use around six gallons per wash. Dishwashers with an Energy Star are even more efficient, needing just four gallons of water for every load.

Lastly, make sure your dishwasher is fully loaded with dirty dishes ready to be washed. This helps reduce water usage and wastage.

6. You need coffee beans to make good coffee – and growing them will need water. Every cup of coffee that perks up your mood uses more or less 55 gallons of water for growing the beans. 

7. You don’t have to wash your car every day or even every week. Each time you do, though, you consume around 50 gallons of water. So schedule your car washing only when it is really needed.

The best way to practice water efficiency is to use only what you need and when needed. Additionally, you should encourage all your family members to follow your lead. If everyone in the household is committed to changing their behavior and lifestyle, reducing water use and wastage will soon be a normal thing for you.

About the author

Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing, and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.