Eco Kitchen Makeover: Style and Substance

Shell Busey, Canada’s favourite home improvement guru, gives the lowdown on ways to remodel your kitchen to be more energy-efficient and eco-friendly without sacrificing style. From Energy Star kitchen appliances to eco-friendly cabinets, countertops, sinks and flooring, it’s the smart consumer’s guide to a chic kitchen makeover.

Remodelling your kitchen to be more eco-friendly and energy-efficient doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Many manufacturers and designers of kitchen flooring, appliances, cupboards, countertops and accessories have created products that not only save you energy dollars and make your kitchen more comfortable and environmentally friendly, but also add elegance and flair.

For many people embarking on a kitchen makeover, replacing kitchen cabinets is the starting point and a source of aesthetic pride. Go green with cabinets that use sustainable and durable materials with low or no toxic emissions—otherwise known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Rather than solid wood cabinets and anything with a clear coat, look for formaldehyde-free engineered woods such as hardwood plywood and veneers constructed of attractive materials that may include renewable bamboo, aromatic cedar, birch, red oak, maple, ash, poplar and cherry decorative woods. Just one of many examples, Steelskin Inc’s chic cabinets are made with formaldehyde-free reconstituted-wood veneer paired with sleek stainless steel interiors.

When it comes to appliance upgrades, Energy Star-qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10 to 50 percent less energy and water than standard models. Many of the top appliance manufacturers, including Beaumark, GE and Whirlpool, make Energy Star-rated refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers with a whole host of sleek and sophisticated options. For instance, fashionable refrigerator models such as French-door, side-by-side and bottom-freezer styles are offered in various materials and colours including stainless steel, black-on-black and even custom panel designs to match your cabinetry.

Ambience-enhancing features such as kickboard and cabinet lighting can now be installed using energy-efficient LED light fixtures. For added energy savings use compact fluorescent lights (CFL) for area lighting including flood and dimming fixtures, and make use of natural light wherever possible with well-positioned windows and skylights that let in enough light for solar heat gain during winter months. If replacing windows, install those with the Energy Star label, such as Centra’s ecoSMART Window with LoE3 Glass.

Pictured here and above are kitchens with some stylish Energy-Star
appliances by Whirlpool (Photos by Whirlpool Home Appliances)For countertops choose eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or recycled aluminum, glass or paper. IceStone and PaperStone manufacture recycled countertops that come in a wonderful palette of colours and finishes for a unique look. Explore the varied green flooring options from cork to reclaimed wood to recycled metal tiles, and consider installing radiant heat beneath kitchen floors for a cozy room that also reduces heat costs. Other popular items in the modern kitchen are warming drawers and heated countertops, ideal for serving islands to keep food warm while entertaining instead of using the oven.

Temperature-controlled faucets eliminate the waste of hot water by introducing mixer valves on the faucets and are available in attractive wall-mount styles. Installing an instant hot water dispenser for hot drinks will eliminate the need for electric kettles or the stove element to boil water and many models come in designer finishes, including satin nickel, French gold and more. You can even purchase sinks made of recycled materials like snazzy copper or styles with energy-saving benefits such as the attractive Silhouette Collection by American Standard, which insulates against heat loss and keeps your dishwater warm longer, and comes in a range of bowl styles and rich porcelain enamel colours.

Before starting your renovation, consider a home energy audit performed by a qualified energy advisor to help identify energy-efficiency projects in your home and the best ways to spend your budget to maximize potential rebates. For information and ideas, consult the National Resources Canada website: www.nrcan.gc.ca. BC residents can check the LiveSmart BC website: www.livesmartbc.ca.

It’s Just That Easy!