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Eco-friendly Kitchen Tips - Part Three

By
Real Estate Agent with Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage RECO Reg# 4325734

Could you incorporate any of the following tips in your kitchen? Save energy and some money by:

 

  • Being Refrigerator frugal - Your refrigerator probably consumes more electricity than any other household appliance.  Ice makers and cold water dispensers can increase your energy usage by aver ten percent (consider this when choosing to use them or not).  If you have an older fridge with coils in the rear, keep them a couple of inches from the wall, and vacuum/dust them twice a year (the dust build-up reduces efficiency).
  • Using water wisely at the kitchen sink - When cleaning vegetables and fruit, put them in a bowl of water and then clean them, rather than running the tap.   Use a low-flow aerator (can save you as much as ten litres of water a minute). Re-use water used to steam vegetables as part of the cooking liquid for grains or pasta.  Rather than empty the left over water from cooking and boiling, let the water cool and water any plants inside or outside your home.
  • Looking for the Energy Star - When purchasing any appliance, especially one for the kitchen, look for an energy star appliance, and look at what your typical savings might be, all energy star appliances are not created equal.

Below are links to past posts on this topic:

Eco-friendly Kitchen Tips - part one
Eco-friendly Kitchen Tips - part two

Ralph Gorgoglione
Metro Life Homes - Palm Springs, CA
California and Hawaii Real Estate (310) 497-9407

Great advice.  I do agree with getting your refrigerator cleaned in the back.  We just did and there was so much "lint" back there - it needed a good cleaning.  Also, FYI - if you have a home warranty and your refrig is covered and something breaks on it, if your coils aren't cleaned they can actually NOT cover you.

Oct 04, 2011 08:23 AM
Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166
Fillmore Real Estate 2990 Av U, Bklyn , NY 11229 - Brooklyn, NY
Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker -

 

Thanks for sharing these eco tips- sometimes we forget that its the extras that can drain our energy consumption.  Also just learned something new from Ralph in his comment regarding Homeowner wty coverage and dirty coils. 

Oct 04, 2011 09:04 AM
David Popoff
DMK Real Estate - Darien, CT
Realtor®,SRS, Green ~ Fairfield County, Ct

Chris, great advice, It does make a difference if you get the EnergyStar appliances. Energy Star for Homes version 3 takes effect on Jan 1, 2012. Even if you do not go through the program it provides a great checklist to make sure that your contractor is doing a good job.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2537968/improved-energy-star-version-3-for-your-home-2012

check out my link on it here on AR.

Oct 04, 2011 10:16 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

I was not aware of the insurance implication Ralph, thanks for sharing

Oct 04, 2011 05:09 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Michele, most of these tips are so easy to implement... it is just conditioning ourselves to make better choices

Oct 04, 2011 05:09 PM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

David, thanks for sharing your link, it is a great addition to this blog

Oct 04, 2011 05:10 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Chris - I think I read recently in the New York Times that today's refrigerators use less energy than many models of the DVR boxes and similar devices.

Oct 04, 2011 11:58 PM
Joni Bailey
101 Main St. Realty - Huntsville, TX
Your Huntsville / Lake Livingston Area REALTOR®
I'm all for going green! :) my big tip is... If you love the earth, love The Creator! <3
Oct 12, 2011 03:07 PM