How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Remodeling Your Kitchen

There are two rooms that homeowners typically remodel to increase the value of their homes:

Kitchen & Bathroom

Restoring and remodeling these rooms will not only grant your home a higher market price, but it will also allow you to choose and install cost-efficient methods and mechanisms that suit your budget.

We won’t discuss both the kitchen and the bathroom in this brief article; instead, we’ll focus on the kitchen this time around, and bring you as much necessary information as we can. Let’s dive in and see what there is to learn about today!

Kitchen Remodel – What’s in & What’s Not?

Everywhere we look we find eco-friendly and environmentally stable options for remodeling. Today, when we ask the question “what’s in?” we find the answer to be a green home remodel; oddly, there’s no shock to that answer.

When you go to a restaurant nowadays, you can refuse a plastic straw. When you go to local grocery stores, you’re encouraged to reuse previous plastic bags. When you read through digital contracts, you’re urged to sign them electronically instead of printing the documents out and signing them on paper. There really shouldn’t be a shock to the increased popularity green home remodels are gaining.

What is a Green Home Remodel?

Green home remodels have one main priority:

Omit or Reduce Carbon Footprints

Carbon footprint refers to the number of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities. These gases can be produced directly or indirectly, and they often refer back to things like the environment and pollution.

But, what’s so bad about the terms carbon footprint? Well, homeowners, the answer to that question would be that it leads to global warming.

All in all, if you’re trying to adopt the green home remodel method, you’ll want to do everything in your power to omit or reduce carbon footprint production. Luckily, you’ve come to the right place. Check out some of our top suggestions below and implement the ones you find to be most adaptable for your kitchen remodel situation.

1. Be Aware of the Materials You Use for Remodel

The materials you use to remodel your kitchen play a part in carbon foot printing, that’s why you should always be mindful of the ones you choose. Consider one of the two suggestions we provide you with below.

Use local materials. Local materials will require minimal transportation from the business to your home because they’re often found in your area or relative neighborhood. If you choose this route, you’ll reduce pollution created by transportation, and you’ll be supporting a local business. Using natural materials for your counters during a remodel from a local business is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Use recycled materials. Recycled materials are everywhere. You can visit a craftsman shop that specializes in producing reclaimed wood flooring and trim, or you can head on over to a shop that creates countertops made from recycled glass.

If you’re not too keen on adopting the recycled method, try using the antique method. Antiques will reduce the demand for new product production, in turn reducing the overall carbon footprint.

2. Power & Light will Play a Part in Your Remodel

The amount of power you use and the amount of artificial lighting you allow into your kitchen will determine the percentage of the carbon footprint you have. Consider alternative ways of powering and lighting your kitchen; start with the options we present below.

Try solar power. Alternative power may be expensive at first, but the financial turnaround will come quickly. Also, homeowners that install solar power methods are eligible for rebates and tax incentives. Future homeowners and potential buyers are in fact looking for homes to buy that have solar power, considering they are energy-efficient houses.

Take advantage of natural sunlight. The sun is a natural source of light, heat, and energy. By installing skylights and additional windows, you’re allowing your home to increase its access to natural light, therefore reducing the electricity you use in a given day.

3. Technology Contributes to an Easy Kitchen Remodel

Homeowners may think that a green home remodel should not employ technological advances, but that’s not true. In fact, technological advances can help conserve energy instead of using it. Consider two of our favorite options below.

Smartphones have your back. There are now applications that you can download to connect your light fixtures and appliances to your smartphone. They work to help you conserve energy by alerting you if any light or appliance has been left on throughout the day.

Motion detectors work, too. If you’re not tech-savvy, or you don’t regularly check your smartphone, you can purchase motion detectors; these nifty technological pieces will automatically turn off lights when there is no motion detected in the room for a specified period.

4. Upgrade Appliances during your Kitchen Remodel

Appliances contribute to approximately 15% of your energy consumption in your kitchen. It’s important to know that purchasing energy-efficient appliances will reduce carbon footprints in your home. Remember to look at kilowatt-hour usage before choosing the appliances you want to take home with you.

Energy-efficient is important. These types of appliances will only use the minimum amount of energy needed to perform their regular tasks. What’s more, is that these appliances can also work off renewable energy sources, like solar energy, to get the job done.

Unplug appliances. Always unplug an appliance if you are not using them. Even appliances on standby mode can consume a lot of power and energy, so it’s best always to unplug.

5. Additional Mini Tips

The four aspects of a kitchen remodel that should be awarded the most attention are:

–   Materials used during Remodel

–   Power & Light chosen for Remodel

–   Technological Advances Purchased for Remodel

–   Appliances Upgraded for Remodel

However, there are a few additional mini tips you may want to keep in mind before finishing your remodel.

–   If you choose to do lighting other than solar or natural, purchase LED or CFL.

–   Insulate the walls if possible.

–   Eliminate leaking taps and fixtures, this will conserve water usage.

–   Use natural, non-toxic, and low-allergen materials when possible.

All in all, a green home remodel is the way to go. Though it may be expensive in the beginning, it will make up for it in a short time. Luckily, many prospective homeowners and future buyers are leaning towards purchasing homes that have energy-efficient methods incorporated.

Have fun on your green kitchen remodel journey ladies and gentlemen!