Remodeling a kitchen means updating its walls, floors, cabinetry, countertops, faucets, appliances, and everything in between. But how to give your kitchen an attractive, eco-friendly facelift? While there are many ways of doing this, before implementing any eco-friendly approach, you must consider your needs, lifestyles, and, most importantly, budget.Some eco-friendly products may save you energy and utility bills but are expensive compared to standard appliances. So, making any straightforward decision is not always easy. If it sounds overwhelming to you, then take a breath! We have you covered. Let’s take a look at 8 eco-friendly kitchen renovation ideas for a greener home to help you convert your kitchen into a sustainable space.
Table of Contents
Eco-Friendly Kitchen Renovation Ideas for a Greener Home
1. Opt for a Boiling Water Tap over a Kettle
The popularity of boiling taps has increased. One of the reasons is that the tap will dispense the exact amount of water you need in one go, making it a more energy-efficient way of using water. Boiling water taps reduce the wastage of electricity as people start to prefer it over electric kettles.
An electric kettle consumes electricity every time you re-heat the water. Adding a boiling water tap over a kettle will surely cut down the electricity expense.
2. Change Your Bulbs to LED
LED bulbs are fast becoming an adopted trend, by renovators, instead of using traditional incandescent bulbs. LED lights typically consume a small amount of power and ensure 80-95% efficiency.
Investing in LED lighting will be worthwhile as using fewer LED bulbs can achieve the same level of lighting as using more traditional bulbs. This way, you can conserve valuable energy and save your utility bills.
They also have a lifespan of about twenty times longer than traditional lights, which means you do not have to replace these lights in short intervals.
3. Use VOC-Free Paints, Coatings, and Finishes
VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals or harmful gases released from different products, including paints, new furnishings, household cleaners, etc. They can also cause short-term and long-term health effects such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, respiratory distress, or even cancer.
To create an eco-friendly kitchen, using VOC-free paint is a must. These paints ensure you keep your space as non-toxic as possible.
For kitchen spraying, invest in VOC-free paints. Kitchen spraying can be an easy and inexpensive way to renovate your kitchen.
Adding an extra layer of protection also gives your kitchen cabinets or cupboards a new life. Thus, it helps you make your home more eco-friendly.
4. Use Eco-friendly Materials
Before choosing the materials for your kitchen, you need to inspect the impact of using these materials. You can easily upgrade your kitchen using varieties of sustainable materials available including FSC-certified cabinets, countertops, eco-friendly faucets, and sinks. These sustainable materials can fit any style and space.
Keep the quality of these materials in mind whilst renovating. Investing in high-quality materials means you need not worry about repairing or replacing them frequently.
5. Use Energy Saving Appliances
As an energy-conscious homeowner, you must choose Energy Star Appliances to reduce the demand for your home’s energy usage and increase energy efficiency.
Energy Star is a certification awarded by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to appliances, buildings, etc. that maintain strict energy-efficiency requirements. These smart appliances not only help you make your kitchen work easier but also reduce the impact on the environment.
Every Energy Star Appliance has a label of energy rating that is designed to help you control the energy demand and the cost of your household. For instance, an Energy Star refrigerator significantly reduces the usage of energy in your home. Plus, it also maximizes the freshness of food and prevents food waste.
Similarly, using an induction cooktop instead of a gas hob can lower your energy usage and cooking times. It also limits the heat release in the air and keeps your kitchen cool.
6. Installing Energy-Efficient Windows
Installing efficient, high-quality windows can be a smart move to save energy and reduce the heat transfer between the indoors and outdoors of your home. If you are looking for an eco-friendly window replacement, choose Energy Star-certified windows because they are typically best for energy efficiency.
Energy Star-certified windows come with a special coating that not only keeps out heat or cold but also protects you and your possessions from harmful ultraviolet rays without making a visible change in how much light comes into your house.
Such windows can help reduce the cost of heating and cooling, reducing your energy usage. If your budget can’t handle replacement, consider honeycomb window coverings or window films to ensure your home’s energy efficiency.
7. Install Eco-friendly Flooring
Some of the available eco-friendly flooring options are sustainable cork, recycled tiles, bamboo, etc. The usage of these renewable sources of flooring is growing rapidly, especially in terms of styles.
These eco-friendly flooring materials are particularly designed to blend style with sustainability. The materials are also reusable and recyclable, saving your operations and maintenance costs.
8. Consider a Garbage Disposer
Another great feature for your sustainable kitchen can be a food waste disposal unit. You can install this disposer under your kitchen sink. The food waste you throw in this bin goes directly to the sewage system.
Then these food wastes are properly treated in the sewage treatment plants. These treatment plants convert the methane gas produced from this food waste into a green energy source, thereby benefiting the environment.
Final Words
When you are thinking about a green kitchen, you have a lot of things to do to improve the green credentials of your space. Luckily, there are plenty of options available.
You can select any approach that fits you based on your taste, preference, and budget. The renovation approaches we mention here will likely be within your budget. So, feel free to choose from here.
