Renovating your kitchen to be energy efficient has numerous benefits. Not only will you help the environment, you’d also lower your home energy bill and save money as well. If you are looking for inexpensive ways to make your kitchen renovations more energy efficient from the standpoint of energy usage and conservation of resources, you have come to the right place.
Here are 4 tips to renovating your kitchen to be energy efficient, put forth by folks at Fairfax VA Kitchen Remodeling.
Benefits of installing low flow faucets
You can benefit tremendously by switching your standard faucets to low flow models. The low flow faucets are not only easy on your wallet, they are also relatively easy to install. Upon installation, you will witness up to a 60% decrease in your water usage. Those who already understand the advantages of conserving water know that water-conserving techniques considerably reduce water and wastewater treatment costs; they also reduce the amount of energy used to treat, heat, and pump water.
Upgrading your windows
You should also consider upgrading your windows to have an energy efficient kitchen. When opting for windows, you should choose windows coated with a glaze; the aforementioned windows work well to prevent excessive heat gain. If proper insulation is what you are going for, you should install windows that are double or triple-paned. It is also advisable for you to install large windows in your home. Doing so allows more light to enter into your kitchen naturally, thus putting a check on your energy bill.
How should you proceed to choose your fridge and dishwasher?
If you have an outdated fridge and dishwasher, you should consider upgrading them. Newer appliances are much better for the environment as they are more energy efficient. It is fairly easy to choose a fridge for your home as most of the new models are rated for their energy efficiency and marked with an Energy Star label. Here’s an interesting fact for you! Refrigerators that boast of freezers on the top part tend to be more energy efficient. Size also plays an important factor when determining energy consumption. Basically, the rule of thumb implies that larger appliances use more water and energy than the smaller ones, even if they come with better energy ratings.
What type of oven should you go for?
There are primarily two types of oven—gas and electric ovens. So, which type utilizes energy better? Well, the gas oven is the clear winner here. Gas ovens don’t use electricity; therefore, no energy is lost while in transit to consumer homes. And, if you don’t have access to a gas oven, it is advisable for you to get an induction oven. You can also consider acquiring ovens with quadruple-glazed glass on the door. Such ovens work exceptionally well at trapping heat and, thus, increasing energy efficiency.
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