green kitchen design
When I wanted to research green kitchen design for this book, I contacted April Sheldon, a San Francisco interior designer, whom I’ve worked with for over a dozen years. She has a long history with green design and a passion for creating beautiful, eco-friendly living spaces. I asked her to give us some tips.
The goal of green design is to make the kitchen healthy for both people and the planet. April explains that even though the initial cost of green design is sometimes a bit more, future household expenses for energy and water will be reduced.
There are many green design choices for the kitchen, and April broke them down into four basic categories: (1) energy-efficient appliances; (2) energy-efficient lighting; (3) water-conserving appliances and plumbing fixtures; and (4) nontoxic, sustainably produced building and decorating materials. You certainly don’t have to completely remodel your kitchen to go green, but if a construction project or a new appliance is in your future, here are some things to consider.
1. Energy-Efficient Appliances
Look for appliances with an Energy Star label.
• The Energy Star label is given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to appliances and products that exceed federal energy efficiency standards. One of the main goals of the Energy Star program is to develop performance-based specifications that determine the most efficient products in a particular category.
• Look for the Energy Star label on cooktops, ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Study the Energy Star rating to find the kilowatt use of an appliance. Remember, a larger appliance will probably use more energy, so don’t buy a larger one than you need.
Some tips for choosing an energy-efficient refrigerator:
• Models with the freezer on top use the least amount of energy. Bottom-freezer models use more. Side-by-side models use the most.
• Water dispensers in the refrigerator door and ice makers can increase energy consumption by as much as 14 to 20 percent.
2. Energy-Efficient Lighting
• Whenever possible, use natural lighting.
• Use CFL (compact fluorescent lighting) bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire ninety average-size power plants.
• Consider using LED (light-emitting diode) lights: small, solid light bulbs, which are extremely energy-efficient. New LED bulbs are grouped in clusters with diffuser lenses that have broadened the applications for LED use in the home. These are wonderful for under-counter lighting.
LEDs last up to ten times longer than CFLs and far longer than typical incandescent bulbs, making them cost efficient in the long run. They do not cause heat buildup, producing 3.4 BTUs per hour compared to 85 for incandescent bulbs. LEDs are mercury-free and efficient, using one-third the energy of incandescent bulbs and one-thirtieth of CFLs.
3. Water-Conserving Appliances and Fixtures
• Most Energy Star dishwashers also conserve water. In the future, kitchen faucets will probably carry the EPA’s Water Sense Label as well (this label is currently on selected bathroom plumbing fixtures only and verifies water efficiency and performance, backed by independent testing and certification).
• Install water aerators in faucets if they are not already built into your model.
4. Nontoxic, Sustainable Building and Decorating Materials
FSC Certified Woods
Look for the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) seal for all new woods. FSC-certified woods are harvested from responsibly managed forests. This means that the wood is grown in a manner that replenishes the forest, and that biodiversity as well as air and water quality are preserved. FSC certification ensures environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic viability. FSC certification is applicable for reclaimed and salvaged wood as well as virgin material.
Recycled materials
Consider building materials that contain recycled materials. Look for a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content (PCR).
Nontoxic paints, glues, and laminated products
Look for a low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds) rating on glues, paints, and laminated products. VOCs are chemicals that become a gas at room temperature. This is called off-gassing. Breathing in high concentrations of many of these chemicals can cause health and environmental problems, so look for the VOC content on the label or in the product literature. Usually listed in grams per liter, VOC content can range from 5 to 200. Using a product with the lowest VOC content will yield the lowest overall health risk. Ask the manufacturer if the product has been manufactured with VOCs, such as formaldehyde or other toxic chemicals.
Nontoxic maintenance
Consider a material’s maintenance. Will it require future treatments with toxic sealants or cleaners? For example, stone countertops are often factory-sealed with products that contain toxic petroleum distillates with high levels of VOCs. Ask the manufacturer about this and inquire about safer water-based options.
Responsible suppliers
When purchasing some materials, such as stone, there are no regulations or environmental certifications to show that your material has been responsibly produced or quarried, avoiding damage to the earth, air, and waterways. The best course is to find a trusted supplier or fabricator who is able to answer your questions and explain how the materials were produced.
Shipping miles
Take into account how far the materials were shipped. A material may be eco-friendly, but if it’s shipped from overseas, that adds a lot to its carbon footprint—especially if the material is heavy, like stone.