Eco-kitchen

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An Eco kitchen is a kitchen that consumes fewer resources to build, operate, and maintain. Renewable resources are used to build eco kitchens, and the use of artificial materials is minimized. An eco kitchen will use less fossil fuel energy to power appliances than a typical conventional kitchen, and if possible it uses more renewable energy such as solar or biomass. A typical conventional kitchen can be evolved into an eco kitchen over time; or a new kitchen can be built so that it is ecologically friendlier from the start. (Note: Because the word ‘kitchen’ is defined as ‘a room where food is prepared’, the term ‘eco kitchen’ as used herein does not include a focus on the types of foods prepared.)

Considerations when building, remodeling or renovating for an eco kitchen

Kitchen size

New construction of an eco kitchen first takes into consideration the kitchen size needed. Room size affects a home’s ecological footprint. The larger the house, the more construction materials and embodied energy needed to build, and maintain, including heating, cooling, and lighting. Unnecessarily large kitchens require correspondingly more natural resources and materials to build and also more energy to heat and cool, than moderately sized kitchens. An eco kitchen floor plan size is designed to be sufficient and efficient, vs. excessively large.

Kitchen weatherization

An eco kitchen is well insulated with particular attention to attic insulation, wall insulation, door seals, and thermal windows.

LEED certification for cabinets and counters

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications are earned according to a rating system for the sustainability of the design, construction, operations, and maintenance of the building. Using kitchen cabinets and counters made with certifiably sustainable processes can contribute to getting LEED certification points.

Reduce unnecessary kitchen construction aspects

Having open shelving (for storing or displaying glassware and dishware) will eliminate materials used in making fully boxed-in wall cabinets. Using kitchen cabinet curtains on some or all base cabinets will reduce the amount of solid wood, or particle board and wood veneers used in making cabinet doors. Before beginning new home construction or renovating, plan to include ways which reduce the amount of materials needed for an eco-kitchen.

Sustainably sourced kitchen construction materials

• One choice for the source of wood for kitchen cabinets is locally harvested lumber from a local sawmill, which is then made into cabinets by a local cabinet maker. Locally sourced trees, made into lumber at a local sawmill, are another source of sustainable wood used by many woodworkers, builders, and DIYers.
• Recycled wood. Reclaimed wood is recycling. Reusing lumber is a sustainable practice for the environment, even more so than Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber. Its reuse keeps the product out of landfills.
• Many new cabinets are made from particle board, which contains formaldehyde, a toxin that can cause eye, nose, and respiratory irritation. Consider using and building around salvaged items like vintage wood cabinets and dressers.
• Using Chain of Custody Certified wood for your kitchen. Chain of Custody Certified wood is more sustainable than non-certified imported lumber. The logo of a Chain of Custody Certification shows that all vendors, from the forest to the shelf, are certified and audited to maintain their Certification. FSC certified wood follows the path of products from forests through the entire supply chain, ensuring that FSC certified material is identified or kept separate from non-certified material.
• Consider material sources; granite countertops are often made from rock mined in ecologically damaging ways, often irreparably damaging ecosystems. The slabs are often shipped across the world and require significant energy. Sustainable countertop materials include recycled glass, paper, concrete, or wood.

Considerations when buying new or replacing old appliances for an eco kitchen

Durable appliances

Poor quality appliances with short lifespans are avoided for use in an eco-kitchen. They end up in landfills sooner than well-built appliances. Intentionally manufacturing a product for a short lifespan is called planned obsolescence. Frequently replacing poor quality appliances consumes extra natural resources, energy, and landfill space. Kitchen appliances have a range of lifespans. Doing your research will help you purchase long-lasting appliances. As an alternative, consider doing appliance repairs yourself using inexpensive Arduino open-source processors and control boards. When purchasing a new appliance, get the most durable and reliable make and model available. It will help put an end to the throwaway appliance culture.

Energy efficient appliances

Efficient energy use is important in eco kitchens. The bare minimum when purchasing appliances for an eco kitchen is to ensure they are Energy Star certified. To bear the Energy Star logo, an appliance must be more energy efficient than minimum government standards, as determined by standard testing procedures. Another label to look for is the ‘Energy Rating’ label. You will find it on refrigerators, dishwashers, and freezers. The appliances are rated with stars and include an estimate of annual electricity use. The Energy Rating label will help you determine which appliances are more efficient.

Super Efficient appliances

Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) is a nonprofit organization governed and funded by members working together to accelerate energy-efficient products and services. CEE maintains updated lists of Super Efficient Home Appliances, rated into tiers of efficiency at or above the Energy Star level. Lists of qualifying refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines can be found on the CEE website. Products in Tier #3 are significantly more energy efficient than those in Tier #1.

Conventional stoves

Which are the most energy efficient – natural gas, electric, or induction cooking? Induction stovetops are widely considered the most energy-efficient cookers. They heat pots and pans directly, with minimal heat loss, and average 84-90% efficiency. Electric elements average around 74% efficiency, and gas burners have the lowest efficiency at 50-55%.

Innovative stoves

In areas with abundant biofuel, clean-burning stoves and smokeless catalytic wood-burning cook stoves are a viable way to achieve optimal efficiency.

Solar refrigeration

A DC refrigerator run off solar will eliminate a portion of a household’s dependence on distributed energy – whether generated by coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydro-electric, or renewables. Several manufacturers make DC refrigerators for use with one or two solar panels, a deep-cycle battery, and a charge controller. Investing in a DC refrigerator results in a simpler system and smaller solar placement. If grid independence is desired, DC refrigerators are highly efficient, take up less space, and are essentially blackout-proof and autonomous.

Whole house solar

Solar power technology is becoming more affordable over time. Five US states offered residential solar subsidies and incentives in 2017, making whole-house solar more affordable for households located there. The top five solar states in 2017 (by cumulative solar capacity) were CA, NC, AZ, NV, & NJ.

External links

These 'missing charts' may change the way you think about fossil fuel addiction

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