Hybrid Living

The MetaEfficient Kitchen

Posted by benjamin
October 2, 2010

The MetaEfficient Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of a home – it’s one of the most-used rooms in a household for both working and socializing, so shouldn’t it be as functional and energy-efficient as possible? Here is a collection of design ideas and products, both big and small, to help you create a beautiful and efficient kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinets – Refinishing vs. Replacing
Choosing the right kitchen cabinets depends on a huge variety of factors. But if you’re considering remodeling an existing kitchen, refinishing the cabinets instead of replacing them can be an extremely efficient approach. Even simply swapping hardware like handles and hinges can have a big aesthetic impact.

Refinish Cabinets Or Replace Hardware & Doors For A New Look

If your kitchen needs a more serious upgrade, replacing the cabinet doors while leaving the existing cabinet structure will minimize the waste (and expense) of the renovation. And the finished product can give you the look of an entirely new kitchen.

But if you’re building a new home, or if you really need to replace your current cabinets, consider visiting a “reuse-it-yourself” home improvement store. A growing number of these stores offer new surplus items as well as gently-used supplies from other renovation projects, which can provide huge cost savings. Some of the most popular R.I.Y. stores are Habitat For Humanity’s nationwide network of ReStore locations. Visit the Habitat For Humanity website to learn more or find a location near you.

EnviroGLAS Recycled Glass Countertop

EnviroGLAS Recycled Glass Countertop

An ideal kitchen countertop will be functional, and it will be environmentally sensible (which means non-toxic materials and minimizing the environmental impact of its production). Some of our favorite countertop designs are the beautiful, durable, and low-maintenance terrazzo surfaces from EnviroGLAS. They require no waxes or special cleaning products, and best of all, they’re created from 100% recycled glass and porcelain bound together with resins that emit no toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

EnviroGLAS countertops are available in a huge variety of colors and styles. Learn more at the EnviroGLAS website.

The Faucet: Add An Aerator…

Danco Perfect Match Faucet Aerator

An aerator attached to your existing kitchen faucet is a quick, cheap, and simple way to reduce water use without compromising performance. The Danco Perfect Match aerator ($2.66 at Amazon) is a basic model that reduces water flow to 1.5 gallons per minute – still plenty of volume for most kitchen use.

… And Consider A Faucet Pedal Control

Pedal Works HandsFree Faucet Controller

Adding a pedal control to your kitchen faucet is more involved (and yes, more expensive) than simply adding an aerator – but it’s a great way to reduce water usage and add convenience in the kitchen. A pedal controller can be fitted onto an existing hand faucet, and helps avoid letting the water run for tasks like rinsing dishes. Plus, as a bonus, users can wash their hands without dirtying the faucet handles.

One of our favorite models is the Pedal Works HandsFree Faucet Controller, available at Amazon for $349).

Pick The Right Dishwasher – And Enjoy It
In our recent post about reducing your household water use, we discussed how using a dishwasher is actually quite efficient – as long as it’s an energy-efficient model and you use it properly. A fully loaded, modern dishwasher typically uses less water and energy than hand-washing the same number of dishes in the sink.

Bosch SHX68E Evolution 800 Plus dishwasher

There are myriad options depending on your size requirements and price range, but you should definitely look for an Energy-Star rated model. And remember that for major appliances like dishwashers, paying a bit more now may save you money down the road in energy savings and durability. For example, the Bosch SHX68E Evolution 800 Plus dishwasher ($1,732.56 at Amazon) is a serious investment, but it’s one of the most energy-efficient models available and uses just 1.56 gallons of water per wash cycle.

Microwave Cooking – Fast & Efficient
We haven’t included a range/stovetop in this list because there are so many different owner preferences and needs, and even the most basic choice of gas versus electric often depends on where users live. But for day-to-day cooking and reheating, a microwave is often far more convenient and energy efficient than a full-size oven, and Panasonic’s NN-SD688S is a solid all-around performer. The mid-size design offers a 1.2 cubic foot capacity without taking up too much counter space, and the 13.5″ rotating turntable works with “inverter” technology to heat food evenly. Various preset modes simplify the settings for different uses like defrosting or reheating, and the 1,300-watt power is plenty for most household use.

Panasonic NN-SD688S Prestige Microwave Oven

You can find the Panasonic NN-SD688S Prestige Microwave Oven at Amazon for $140.99.

LED Under-Cabinet Lighting
LEDs are perfect for task lighting applications like under-cabinet fixtures in a kitchen. They’re extraordinarily energy efficient, they produce clean white light, they’re durable, and they produce minimal heat. They can be installed in tight spots with less clearance, and they avoid adding more even more heat to a workspace like a kitchen.

Juno Lighting Pro Series Under-Cabinet LED Light

LED fixtures have a higher purchase price than comparable fluorescent or halogen/xenon fixtures, but they pay for themselves over time. The 30-inch Juno Lighting Pro Series Under-Cabinet LED fixture ($204.56 at Amazon) contains 8 LED modules in a slim aluminum casing that produce warm 3000K light, and the LEDs use just 1/8 the energy of incandescent lamps. Best of all, the lifespan of the LEDs is 50,000 hours, meaning zero maintenance.

Last But Not Least – The Fridge
We’ve saved the best for last – a refrigerator is usually one of the biggest electricity consumers in a home, so finding a model that combines functionality with energy-efficiency is key. If you’re still using an older model, an upgrade to a modern refrigerator will offer huge energy savings. And don’t move that old energy hog into the garage for extra storage – make sure the new one is the right size for your household.

You can get the most out of your fridge by using it as efficiently as possible. Make sure all door seals are in good shape by closing a dollar bill in the door – a good seal will hold it tight. Keep your condenser coils free of dust and debris, and make sure the refrigerator isn’t located in direct sunlight. Try to keep it well stocked, since a full fridge tends to stay cold once the contents are chilled (just leave a little space for cold air to circulate). And keep the temperature in the right range (35-38F for the fridge, 0F for the freezer) since going colder just wastes power.

Sun Frost Energy Efficient Refrigerator

When shopping for a new fridge, look for a model with the freezer on the top or bottom, since side-by-side designs use more electricity. Through-door icemakers/water dispensers also reduce energy efficiency, so skip those features. Although they’re not widely distributed, Sun Frost produces some extraordinarily energy-efficient refrigerators, including a 16 cubic foot model that consumes just 372 kWh annually.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency offers a comprehensive list of Energy Star rated refrigerators, as well as the even more efficient CEE Tier 3-rated models.

For more information on other kitchen gadgets and appliances, you might also be interested in MetaEfficient’s posts on chef’s knives, blenders, slow cookers, and juice extractors.