The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is also the perfect place to go green. From small changes to large, you can save energy and lessen your impact on the planet by making smart choices.
The simplest energy-saving move is to upgrade your lighting by switching to CFLs, or better yet, LEDs, which last about five times longer than CFLs. Another idea is to consider adding a skylight that takes advantage of natural lighting and also cuts your energy bill by capturing thermal heat.
Materials are another important consideration. Bamboo cabinets are ideal, because bamboo replenishes itself so quickly. A great choice for countertops are those made from recycled glass and concrete that do not emit VOCs.
Choose low-flow faucets in both your kitchen and bath. You can also install low-flow toilets and shower heads in the bathroom. Water savings are a key component of green design.
Other tips for green kitchens:
–Install Energy Star appliances
–Turn down the temperature setting on your dishwasher
–Replace vinyl with healthy
–Rapidly renewable flooring like cork or environmentally friendly linoleum
–Install a recycling bin right under the counter to make recycling easier
