Sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s minds when they’re remodeling or renovating their homes, and the kitchen is one of the simplest spaces in which you can make the most energy savings, and cause the least harm to the environment.
Here are 6 tips for a sustainable kitchen renovation that are easy to achieve:
- LED lighting
Switching to LED lighting fixtures from regular light bulbs, is a quick and simple way to upgrade any space in the home, with minimal fuss and a big impact. Using a lot of energy, traditional light bulbs need to be changed frequently, particularly in spaces such as the kitchen where lights are often on for longer, or switched on and off more often.
LED lighting doesn’t just give a brighter light, but uses considerably less energy, and doesn’t need to be replaced for years and years, often decades making them best choices for kitchen renovation projects.
- Energy Star appliances
Another relatively quick fix for a more sustainable kitchen, is buying appliances with the Energy Star logo; guaranteeing you savings on your energy bill, and less harm to the climate. Fortunately, many modern appliances are now qualified for this rating, giving you plenty of options to reduce your energy usage, in a range of prices.
- Instant water heaters
It isn’t just electricity when we talk about sustainability in the home, water is a precious resource worthy of saving, too. Saving and preserving it wherever possible is desirable in sustainability terms, but when you need hot water and it doesn’t heat up quickly, a lot gets wasted. Now though, you can invest in instant water heaters (little boxes that fit easily under the kitchen sink), that produce water at exactly the right temperature from your faucets. Now you can become a water warrior with ease!
- Sustainable materials
When reflooring your kitchen, upgrading your cabinets, or even refreshing the walls with a lick of paint, there are some sustainable choices you can make that include (but absolutely are not limited to) the following:
- Composite wood or plywood cabinets
- Bamboo flooring
- MDF (medium-density fiberboard) flooring
- VOC-free (volatile organic compounds) paint
- Stainless steel faucets
- Reduce, reuse and recycle
There’s often no real need to rip out every part of your kitchen and send it off to landfill sites, when renovating. In many instances, with a little creativity and willingness to help preserve the planet, you can reimagine and repurpose items in your existing kitchen and make them look as good as new. Or, if you need to replace an item, or wish to add one, try looking in your local thrift stores, you just might be surprised at what other people don’t want, or no longer have a use for!
- Renovate your kitchen with the future in mind
Kitchen remodels, and even some bigger renovation projects, can use a lot of resources and energy. But, by thinking about the future needs of your kitchen and choosing timeless designs and features that won’t need to be replaced when trends change, you can make your kitchen last longer, and cause less harm to the environment.
Most reputable home renovation and remodeling contractors will willingly go along with sustainable plans for kitchens, and any other rooms in the home. If they don’t, you may want to question their commitment to the planet, and they’re commitment to the industry as a whole.