New homes these days are built to meet strict efficiency requirements. Some rules also apply to remodeling projects. But what if you want a more sustainable home—not just to meet regulations but to benefit your family’s health and lower your energy bills? You can meet your goals in several ways. Here are the keys to creating a more eco-friendly kitchen.
No-VOC Paints, Finishes & Coatings
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful substances found in some paints, finishes, and coatings. Strictly use no-VOC products to avoid the short- and long-term health effects of breathing toxic fumes.
New Windows
Energy Star-rated windows leak less air and allow less heat transfer through the glass. Swapping out your kitchen windows as part of a renovation project can lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint without sacrificing home comfort.
Sustainable Countertops & Flooring
Choose a resilient countertop like quartz that will last for decades. You can also install kitchen counters made of recycled glass, paper composite, or concrete to keep materials out of the landfill. Then, if new floors are part of your kitchen remodel, use an eco-friendly product like bamboo, cork, recycled tiles, or sustainably sourced hardwood.
Eco-Friendly Kitchen Cabinets
Updating the cabinets is a popular part of any kitchen renovation. With the right techniques, you can make the upgrade eco-friendly. Here are some ideas:
- Choose new cabinets made of VOC-free materials, such as solid wood, recycled or reclaimed wood, formaldehyde-free plywood, FSC-certified wood, or bamboo.
- Replace just the doors to create a new look if your cabinets are still structurally sound.
- Reface your cabinets instead of replacing them.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Outfit your remodeled kitchen with these elegant upgrades:
- Induction cooktops reduce cooking time, minimize the amount of heat released into the kitchen, and improve air quality compared to gas cooktops.
- Convection ovens use about 20% less energy than standard ovens and cook food more evenly.
- Energy Star-rated refrigerators have superior insulation and run on more eco-friendly refrigerant.
- Efficient dishwashers use less water while still getting your dishes sparkling clean.
- Energy-saving countertop appliances—including microwaves, coffee makers, tea kettles, and slow cookers—get the job done while consuming less energy and costing less to operate.
High-Tech Faucets
Upgrade your leaky, old kitchen faucet with a touchless model that automatically shuts off when not in use. Even simply upgrading to a low-flow faucet can reduce water usage by 30% or more without sacrificing performance.
Efficient Lighting
LEDs are today’s most efficient light bulbs, and they cost a lot less than they used to. By consuming up to 80% less energy and lasting up to 10,000 hours, LEDs save you money and reduce landfill waste.
For help bringing your sustainable kitchen ideas to life, turn to My Kitchen & Bath. We are Virginia’s kitchen remodeling experts, with nearly 30 years of experience exceeding our customers’ expectations. We’ll help you design a gorgeous, functional kitchen with eco-friendly elements woven throughout. To begin your energy-efficient kitchen renovation, please call 703-537-0857 or contact us online for your free in-home estimate.
