“The room in your home that uses the most energy is your kitchen, between the appliances, water usage, and lighting throughout the day” said Danni Maddison, a designer with Callen Construction, Inc. “Our team at Callen keeps both energy efficiency and beauty of a new space in mind with every remodel.”
If you’re looking for a way to save on your energy bills and be kind to the environment, consider these eco-friendly features in your new kitchen:
Cabinetry, Countertops, and Flooring
Let your remodel be green by installing cabinets, countertops, and flooring using eco-friendly or recycled materials.
Cabinets made from plywood, pressed wood, or fiberboard can release a harmful carcinogen called formaldehyde. Safer cabinet materials include solid woods, bamboo, or concrete.
“Bamboo and concrete are also green materials to incorporate in countertops and flooring,” Danni said. “Bamboo has a similar look and feel to hardwood floors or counters, while concrete can be stained to obtain a certain desired look.”
Lighting
The easiest way to cut energy costs when it comes to lighting in your home is taking advantage of natural light from your windows. Callen can help replace old windows with energy-efficient windows.
When installing new lighting fixtures, use LED lightbulbs which last 20 times longer than traditional bulbs. “Another element we recommend is pairing lights with dimmers,” said Danni. “You can adjust dimmers to whatever illumination you require. Whether setting the mood for a dinner party or conversation, or just wanting a nice accent at night, we always recommend dimmers.”
Another cost cutting feature includes energy-monitoring smart plugs for light fixtures. The plugs can measure the energy used by your lights in kilowatts, and you can turn on or off the light using an app on your phone.
Faucets
Low-flow faucets limit water usage and help save on the utility bill. “The average faucet flows at 2.2 gallons per minute, while most energy-efficient faucets put out 1.5 gallons per minute,” she said.
Eco-Friendly Appliances
“Ten percent of energy usage in our homes come from our appliances” Danni said. “We recommend replacing old appliances with ENERGY STAR® appliances, which are 25% more energy efficient than federal standards for energy consumption.”
Certain dishwashers, refrigerators, and range tops can help lower energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. “Dishwashers with energy-saving or quick-wash cycles run for a shorter period,” said Danni. “Refrigerators with freezers on the top of the model save more energy than the side-by-side models. In addition, look for range hoods with speed control and automatic shut-off features.”
Call Callen at 414-867-2207 to start planning your eco-friendly kitchen remodel today.
