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Envirnomental Conscious Kitchen Remodel

Bellingham Real Estate

Michael James, REALTOR/EcoBroker

Kitchens are often the heart of the home, where families and friends mingle. the goal of greening your kitchen should include natural lighting, good ventilation, low toxic finishes (VOC paints), energy and water efficient appliances, and surfaces that are durable, cleanable and of course aesthetically pleasing.

What is the most important environmental problems with conventional kitchens?

Wasted energy consumption, followed closely by bad lighting and bad ventilation are just a few of the main reasons to remodel a kitchen. The kitchen is the most energy intensive room in the house. Over-sized and energy inefficient appliances are the number one problem with conventional kitchens today, over consumption of water in energy inefficient dishwashers, chemical sensitization due to over exposure to high emitting formaldehyde chemical toxins in cabinetry, poor lighting and ventilation.

Up to 60% of your energy bills comes from kitchen usage in the home.

Benefits?

I consider the most prominent is the positive mental health benefits of having a brighter, well ventilated work space for all homes owners. As for the physical health benefits, the green remodeling process eliminates those toxic paints and chemicals that we cannot see. Surfaces that can be cleaned easily with no exposure to toxic chemicals, lower injury rate having the appliance put in a more efficient location and the appliances themselves are smaller.

Invest in energy efficient appliances, they can save you hundreds of dollars a year, paying for themselves in just a few short years.

Add lots of natural light (windows), better ventilation, environmentally friendly flooring (natural wood floors/stones), energy efficient lighting, non toxic cabinets, recycle area/cabinets, water flow controlled fixtures, water filter systems, create an herb growing area and proper storage bins.

Please feel free to share this with your clients that may be considering a kitchen remodel. Remodel "Green"

Michael James, REALTOR/EcoBroker FAIRHAVEN REALTY

Posted by Michael James on 02/12/2008 01:27 PM

Comments (3)

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3 Comments on Envirnomental Conscious Kitchen Remodel

I hear bamboo floors are very GREEN

02/12/2008 01:39 PM

by Allegiance Mortgage Services

The way your store your food is also a way to stay green. Vegetables and Fruit not stored properly create waste. Menu planning maybe another to conserve food and energy ultimately. It is fun to brainstorm up new ways to conserve energy, like wearing flipflops saves from washing socks. How much water would that be per year?

02/12/2008 01:41 PM

by Debbie Mounteer (ECI- Right of Way)

Material	Selection Tips	Pros	Cons	Cost	Recommended Uses
Bamboo Renewable resource. Fast-growing grass that can be selectively harvested annually.	Look for bamboo products that have no formaldehyde added.	* Renewable resource * Extremely durable * Harder than red oak or maple	* Overuse of natural bamboo forests may be destroying them * Asian sources require significant embodied energy for transport	$4 - $8 per square foot	* Bedroom * Living room * Family room * Dining room * Kitchen * Entryway
Carpet Green carpets and area rugs are those made from natural fibers or with a high content of recycled synthetic fibers.	Look for The Carpet and Rug Institute's Green Label Plus certification. Area rugs and carpet tiles are preferable to broadloom (wall-to-wall) carpet.	* Carpet industry is actively addressing its environmental issues	* Synthetic fibers are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource * Difficult to clean * Can harbor dirt, dust and mold	$4 and up per square foot	* Formal areas * Bedroom * Stairs
Cork Cork is a renewable resource made from the bark of the cork oak.	Look for products that have no formaldehyde added. Avoid cork-vinyl composites.	* Renewable resource * Sometimes has recycled content * Easy to clean if properly sealed * Good foot support	* Indoor air quality impacts from sealers used to create a durable surface * European sources result in higher embodied energy for transport	$3 - $6 per square foot	* Kitchen * Family room
Linoleum Same ingredients today as when it was invented in 1863 -- linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments, all pressed onto a jute backing.	Look for "natural linoleum." Vinyl flooring is sometimes generically called "linoleum."	* Renewable ingredients * Often has recycled content * 30- to 40-year lifespan * Easy to clean * Good foot support	* Made in Europe, resulting in significant embodied energy for transport * Odor from linseed oil may irritate some people	$4 per square foot	* Kitchen * Bathroom * Family room
Rubber Virgin rubber is derived from rubber trees, a renewable resource; recycled rubber reduces the environmental burden of discarded tires.	Almost all rubber, except virgin rubber, has a significant odor. Use indoors only in well-ventilated areas.	* Often has recycled content * Easy to clean * Good foot support * Can be installed without adhesives * Durable (20-year lifespan)	* Continual off-gassing has indoor air quality impact	$5 - $7 per square foot	* Outdoors * Well-ventilated indoor space
Stone Natural resource; durable material.	Look for locally mined and fabricated stone. Look for stone that does not have to be sealed.	* Easy to clean * Durable	* Stone is a finite resource * High embodied energy if stone is mined or fabricated overseas * Sealers produce potentially harmful VOC emissions	$3 - $10 per square foot	* Kitchen * Bathroom * Entryway * Fireplace
Tile Durable material, often with recycled content.	Look for locally manufactured tiles with high recycled content.	* Easy to clean * Durable * Often has recycled content	* High embodied energy (to fire tiles and produce cementitious materials) * Seek local sources because of heaviness	$1 - $6 per square foot	* Kitchen * Bathroom * Entryway * Fireplace
Wood Natural material; durable.	Look for Forest Stewardship Council-certified, salvaged or reclaimed wood. Ask for a chain-of-custody certification. Avoid laminated products with added formaldehyde. Look for sealers and cleaners that are environmentally benign and low-VOC emitting.	* Renewable resource if from a sustainably managed forest * Low embodied energy, particularly if harvested and produced locally	* Conventional forestry causes overharvesting and destruction of habitat * Naturally occurring formaldehyde	$3 - $6 per square foot	* Bedroom * Living room * Family room * Dining room * Stairs

02/12/2008 01:43 PM

by Michael James (Fairhaven Realty a br of Lakeway)

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