Eco-kitchen

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An Eco kitchen is a kitchen that consumes less 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 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 which go into the making of cabinet doors. Before beginning new home construction or renovating to create an eco-kitchen plan to include ways which reduce the amount of materials needed.

Sustainably sourced kitchen construction materials

• One choice for the source of wood for kitchen cabinets is locally harvested lumber by local sawmill which is then made into cabinets by a local cabinet maker. Local 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 for the environment, even more than Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber. Because its from a product already manufactured and through its reuse will keep that product out of a landfill.
• 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 you that all vendors, from the 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 separated from non-certified material.
• Consider material sources; granite countertops are often made from rock mined in ecologically devastating ways, ecosystems are often irreparably damaged by this mining. The slabs are often shipped across the world and take a tremendous amount of 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 which have a short life span are avoided for use in an eco-kitchen. They end up in a landfill sooner than well-built appliances. The act of intentionally manufacturing a product to have a short life span is called planned obsolescence. Having to frequently replace poor quality appliances consumes extra natural resources, energy for the manufacturing processes, transportation of goods, and landfill space. Kitchen appliances have a range of lifespans, doing your research will help you purchase long lasting appliances. As an alternative, look into 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 era of the throw away appliance.

Energy efficient appliances

Efficient energy use is important in eco kitchens. The bare minimum to consider when purchasing any appliance for an eco kitchen is to ensure that it is Energy Star certified. To bear the Energy Star logo, an appliance must be more energy efficient than the 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 how much electricity will be used by it per year. The Energy Rating label will help you determine which appliances will be more efficient.

Super Efficient appliances

Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) is a nonprofit, governed and funded by members who work together to accelerate energy efficient products and services in targeted markets. CEE maintains updated lists of Super Efficient Home Appliances which are rated into tiers of efficiency at or above the Energy Star level of efficiency. Lists of qualifying refrigerators, dish washers, and washing machines can be found on CEE website. Products that are in the top 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 to be the most energy-efficient cookers. They heat your pots and pans through direct contact, with no heat lost to the surrounding air, and average about 84 percent to 90 percent efficiency. Electric elements average around 74 percent efficiency, and gas burners, come in last at 50 to 55 percent.

Innovative stoves

In areas where there is an abundance of biofuel, clean burning stoves and smokeless catalytic wood burning cook stoves are a viable way to achieve optimum efficiency during part-time or full-time use.

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. There are a few manufacturers that make DC refrigerators for use with one or two solar panels, a deep cycle battery and a charge controller. The extra bit money going towards a DC refrigerator would result in a much simpler system and a much smaller placement of solar. If you want something powered independently from the grid, then absolutely choose DC. They’re incredibly efficient, take up less setup space and are essentially blackout proof and autonomous after you set it up.

Whole house solar

Solar power technology is advancing every year, making it more affordable over time. Five US states provided residential solar subsidies and incentives in 2017 so whole house solar was more affordable for households located there. The top five solar states to date (2017) by cumulative solar capacity are: CA, NC, AZ, NV & NJ.

External links

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

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