Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Eco-Friendly Kitchen: Tips For Going Green In The Kitchen

Today, we must keep in mind the environment in most everything we do and that includes the renovation and construction especially in the kitchen is the room in the house with the most used. If you are either building a house that needs a kitchen design, or you're in the middle of a project of remodeling the kitchen, trying to be environmentally friendly should be part of your plans. Here are some tips for cooking green, you might consider: 

Cork, bamboo flooring or recycled: When it comes to green cooking tips, choosing a kitchen floor green can go a long way to be green. Consider using a cork, bamboo or other natural flooring or recycled. There are a number of options out there, and most are very durable. The coating most readily available is a recycled rubber flooring. They are made of 80 to 100% post-consumer products including tires. Rubber floors are extremely durable and come in a variety of colors and styles. Cork and bamboo, while not recycled, the products offer both rapidly renewable that do not require deforestation of millions of trees to produce these types of floors. Both cork and bamboo are natural products as well. 



Reclaimed wood flooring: If you prefer to look older, more traditional or even old, you might consider reclaimed wood floors that will give you a traditional look in your kitchen eco-friendly. This is exactly what it sounds like; wood used was taken from another house or building, then repackaged and is ready to install in your home. For the rich warmth of old wood, this product can provide the look without destroying more trees. 


Eco-friendly lighting: When it comes to going green in the kitchen, you must choose your lighting carefully. When choosing lighting for your new or remodeled kitchen, you can use products that will keep the green theme. First, look at the types of bulbs you will use. Devices that have CFLs rather than incandescent bulbs use one quarter the power. LEDs can reduce energy consumption by 80-90%. Lamps and lighting fixtures that use LED lamps are generally constructed exclusively for this type of bulb. CFLs can be used in any device that accepts a regular incandescent bulb. In addition to artificial lights, also consider the use of skylights and sufficient quantities of energy-efficient windows in your plan. By readily available natural light in your kitchen, you can greatly reduce the need for artificial light sources, at least during the day. You can also consider options for solar powered lighting. 


Recycled Counters: One of my favorite tips green kitchen is recycled glass countertops are becoming a popular product for use in kitchens. These glass countertops are very durable and have a variety of styles which emulate the look of granite and marble. They are a mixture of recycled glass with a base of concrete or resins that are non-petroleum based which can be used for safe and beautiful green kitchen counter. 


Energy-efficient appliances: One of the most talked about ways to go green in the kitchen is the appliances energy efficient. When you are ready to equip your kitchen with new appliances, be sure to look for devices that are marked with the Energy Saver labeling. All major appliances are now energy rated, so you'll be able to comparison shop for the best on the market.
Solar Power: While many people think that solar energy comes in the form of a whole-house which includes panels that cover the roof of your house, there are other options that can provide the solar energy for applications that are much less effective complicated. Instead of taking on large-scale conversion to solar power all your needs, you might consider a small solar system that makes your water heater to take care of all your hot water needs that can help add to your design green kitchen. These systems are compact and designed to work exclusively on the electrical system of the heater. This type of system costs a fraction of what the entire solar system of internal costs, and can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your electricity bill.
Once you have your new eco-kitchen in place, there are some things you can do every day to be more environmentally friendly and live a greener life in your kitchen: 


Use cloth, not paper whenever possible: This is going shopping and cleaning the kitchen. When you go shopping, use cloth, reusable bags to carry your purchases home. This allows literally tons of plastic and paper from landfills each year. Another canvas to opt for towels is that you use. Choose cloth napkins for your kitchen cleaning instead of paper. Not only will you keep all that paper out of the additional landfill, but you will save a lot of money not spent on a paper towel so it's one of those things cooking green can save you money too! 


Composting: Start composting your kitchen waste. You can create a soil rich in organic matter from the compost you. In other words, composting is a process that allows you to place food, coffee and other food waste created in a pile outside. Materials added through a natural process that eventually rot them in a product that can be added to the soil in your garden to provide nutrients. Composition is relatively easy and another way to keep unnecessary waste in the trash. 


Use environmentally friendly cleaning products: There are cleaning products greener and available to use in your home. These green products are not harsh chemicals to clean. They come from natural materials and safe to do a great job cleaning things without putting something dangerous in the wastewater. You can also come with some of your own green products with things around the house, like vinegar to clean windows or baking soda for stains on dishes. 


Using local and organic products: Going green in the kitchen can be as tasty and delicious way to fit your eco-kitchen is trying to buy as much organic produce and local as possible. Organic products are popular because the process used to grow organic agriculture does not deplete the earth and not to introduce chemicals into the soil or plants. Whether organic or not, using local produce and is a great idea because it supports local business and you know where the product is grown. Best of all, it does not get shipped across the country in a truck, and it is usually picked fresh at the peak of maturity, so it just tastes better. 


Whether your redoing your kitchen or simply try to do things better, you can make many changes that will lead to a greener kitchen in your home. It just takes a little attention to doing the right things, and it will eventually become your lifestyle. 






Get some more green kitchen tips and find other ways of going green at http://greenologyspot.com.