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November 20, 2009  |  Login
The Perfect Green Kitchen
By Eric Corey Freed
 

On first glance, the figure below illustrates what looks like a typical kitchen, but a closer look reveals all the green opportunities that were capitalized on — opportunities you can capitalize on in your own kitchen.

Fresh air is important throughout your home, but especially in the kitchen. Windows and skylights are the most energy-efficient way to vent cooking vapors from your kitchen. Vent your Energy Star–rated exhaust fan directly to the outside to remove smoke, gas, and odors (more on fans).

Natural sunlight is free and offers the best quality of light you can find (more on daylighting and passive solar design). Place the work and food preparation areas near windows and skylights so you won’t need to use electric lighting, saving energy and money.
While you’re cutting down on your lights, switch your bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs (more on lighting fixtures). Advancements in the bulbs now provide better color and light quality.
The appliances in your kitchen consume most of your home’s energy. Replace old appliances with new, Energy Star–rated appliances (more on energy efficient appliances). The money saved could pay for your new appliances in less than a year.
If your plumbing fixtures were installed before 1992, replace them with new low-flow fixtures (more on low flow fixtures). You’ll get the same pressure with much less water use. Fun options such as foot-pedal controls will reduce the amount of water you use in a simple way. 

Courtesy of GreenHomeGuide.com.


 

 
 
 
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