Designing a Green Kitchen
By Ed Cholfin
We’re not talking about emerald, forest, lime, fern or olive – we’re talking GREEN! Of late, the word green has come to symbolize environmental protection and those products and procedures that are environmentally friendly. In the construction and remodeling industries, green building products and practices have become an industry of their own. A green home can mean energy efficiency, ecological benefits, health considerations and will provide long-term cost savings, comfort, and safety.
The kitchen alone is responsible for nearly half of a home’s energy consumption. Remodeling your kitchen provides a perfect opportunity to improve your homes energy efficiency as well as make it a healthier place for your family and your environment. A green kitchen is an inherently brighter and well ventilated workspace thanks to the numerous operable windows that provide light as well as heat. Another way to create healthier air in your kitchen is to choose products with low VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds.) VOC’s diminish air quality and can be hazardous to your family’s health; many cabinet manufacturers use a VOC called urea formaldehyde.
A special line of cabinetry, Nature’s Collection by Tedd Wood, has options for water-based and low VOC finishes. This line is also the highest certified green line of cabinetry available anywhere; it has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as well as the Rainforest Alliance. Ensuring the safety of the forests is also possible by choosing flooring and countertop surfaces made from sustainable resources: Bamboo, cork, wheatboard and eucalyptus as well as recycled glass and concrete make beautiful design statements in a kitchen.
Another important element is a green kitchen is storage; special sorting spaces are created for recyclables and compostables. Making space for this in the kitchen reduces your amount of household waste and the compost can help you grow your own organic herbs for cooking. Working with a professional designer who is in tune with your desire to create a green kitchen can be very helpful with this space planning! A green kitchen also has appliances which are rated for energy efficiency and have water-saving features. Did you know you can go even beyond “Energy Star?” Other things like induction cooktops, versus traditional electric radiant or gas, waste less heat and takes less time. It’s rated at 90% energy efficient versus the traditional 50-60%. Don’t forget the high-efficiency water heater in your remodeling process as it affects the kitchen water supply along with the rest of the house.
There is a lot to consider when remodeling your home; add on top of that your desire to do it green and you have even more to think about. Working with a professional design/build firm may just be a sanity saver, and will also help keep you up to date on the latest products and trends.
Ed Cholfin, Home-Medic President, CAPS, PMP and Kitchen and Bathroom Designer. “As a Home-Medic my Hippocratic duty is to ensure you receive the ultimate level of service while providing the quality construction necessary to complete your renovation project; ultimately helping to bring your family closer together.” Visit AK’s website to learn more about Green kitchens, kitchen design and all other home renovations!
Office: 1-866-282-6231
Fax: 1-888-539-6734
Cell: 770-335-2694
Email: Ed@AKCompleteHomeRenovations.com
Visit our Website: http://www.AKatlanta.com
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