If you’re considering a kitchen remodeling, now is an excellent opportunity to make the following changes: As you redesign your kitchen, you may make it more ecologically friendly. However, if you want to maintain things environmentally sustainable, you must be deliberate about it.

You could focus on aesthetics or function when selecting new cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, paint, and other elements for your kitchen. However, you may still finish an ecologically friendly kitchen remodeling project without jeopardizing these principles since there are lots of green choices available.

To make the process of making your Orange county kitchen more environmentally friendly as simple as possible, we’ve compiled a list of some of the ways you may be “greener” after your kitchen remodeling project.

About Prime Home Renovations:

We are a full-service interior remodeling company based in Orange County. As a one-stop shop for your flooring, bath, and kitchen remodeling, we provide our clients with a complete package including design, materials, removing installation, and in-house construction labor.

Build Better Cabinets for Your Kitchen Remodeling

Eco-friendly kitchen remodelings must feature non-toxic, ecologically safe cabinetry. There are formaldehyde-containing glues in many traditional cabinetry materials such as plywood, pressed wood, and medium-density fiberboard, which emit formaldehyde into the air even when they have dried. Solid wood, recycled wood, FSC-certified wood, bamboo, or recycled concrete are preferable to cabinetry than formaldehyde-free woods.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances for Your Kitchen Remodeling

Gas-powered appliances cannot compare with induction cooktops and convection ovens. This will be the kitchen of the future as more renewable energy sources drive down energy prices and we decarbonize our built environment. You can have it right now.

Kitchen appliances generally account for at least 10% of a home’s energy use. For one room, that’s a high proportion! You may minimize your home’s energy consumption while also reducing power plant emissions by adopting energy-efficient equipment. Plus, who doesn’t like the prospect of a lower power bill? When shopping for a new refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher, search for the energy star sign of approval.

Purchase an Energy-Saving Microwave

Invest in a convection microwave oven to replace your microwave. These microwaves are smaller than an oven, requiring less energy, but they can do the same functions! Utilizing the microwave to reheat or heat meals saves money and energy long term.

Green coffee Makers 

Make your daily cup of coffee part of your green habit by investing in an eco-friendly coffee machine! Look for a device that utilizes reusable coffee filters and shuts itself off automatically. If you like single-serve coffee makers, make sure the pods are recyclable or invest in reusable pods that you can fill with your favorite sustainable coffee!

Convection Oven

Replace your outdated oven as your next eco-friendly kitchen remodeling project! A convection oven uses around 20% less electricity than a regular oven. How? A convection oven includes a fan that circulates warm air continually, shortening cook time and maintaining targeted temperatures, making it an environmentally friendly device.

Install Energy Efficient Lighting

Installing energy-efficient lighting is another method to make your kitchen remodeling more environmentally friendly. You’ll probably be changing your light fixtures anyhow as part of your kitchen remodeling, so now is the time to switch to LED bulbs! This is one of the most effective strategies to save electricity.

LED bulbs may be added to almost any lighting fixture, and integrated LED light fixtures with built-in bulbs are also available. In addition to helping the environment, switching to LEDs can lower your monthly energy cost, allowing you to save both money and energy.

Energy Efficient Windows for Your Kitchen Remodeling

Larger windows will brighten a dimly lit space without adding to your carbon footprint. These homeowners stretched their windows from countertop to ceiling to allow more light and open up the area. During the day, the space is bathed in natural light, negating the need for overhead lighting. Furthermore, the energy-efficient windows provide spectacular views of the garden outdoors.

Choose Water-Saving Fixtures for Your Kitchen Remodeling

Isn’t it amazing how much water you can save by just choosing suitable eco-friendly faucets? Faucets marked with the WaterSense emblem use less water while still delivering a high-quality showering experience. 

With a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute, WaterSense faucets can reduce water flow in a sink by 30 percent without compromising performance. In addition, WaterSense faucets can save the country billions of gallons of water each year by replacing old faucets. Incredible!

Select an Eco-Friendly Countertop Material for Your Kitchen Remodeling

Not all kitchen countertops are built with environmentally friendly materials. If you care about the environment, you’ll have to specifically search for ecologically friendly countertops. Fortunately, several attractive countertops are also safer for the environment than others. 

Some of these countertops are composed of recycled materials, one of the most ecologically responsible options available. You might wish to look at the following environmentally friendly countertop options for your kitchen remodeling:

• Countertops built of ALKEMI-acrylic or ALKEMI-polyester manufactured from post-industrial waste.
• Walnut Shells, Crushed – Walnuts are a renewable and sustainable resource. Unlike other nutshells, they do not absorb moisture. Because they’re lightweight and high-density, they’re a fantastic choice for an environmentally friendly countertop.
• Quartz – Quartz is a fantastic natural stone substitute. It requires little upkeep and is exceptionally durable. There are a variety of quartz hues to choose from, so you’re likely to find one that suits your aesthetic preferences.
• Crushed, recycled glass — Glass countertops offer a distinct, one-of-a-kind look. They’re also quite durable, contrary to popular belief. They’re also manufactured from recycled materials, which helps you lessen your environmental effect.

 These four countertop options stand out For more than just their environmental benefits; Because they’re composed of recycled materials, they have a unique appearance. With their distinctive design, they’re sure to freshen up your kitchen!

Choose VOC-Free Paints

If you plan to paint your kitchen or cabinets for a green kitchen remodeling. No VOCs indicate the paint is devoid of compounds that can be emitted as gases. Following their release, they might cause health issues ranging from minor headaches to cancer.

When using VOC paint, the vapors might linger, causing harmful impacts even after the paint has dried. In addition, ventilating a painted area does not protect against VOCs.

We must all recognize that VOC-containing paint is not the only option. There are specialized VOC-free choices available to avoid the negative health impacts of these toxins. Less chemical products are healthier for the environment and your health, so use them to benefit yourself and the earth! Paint isn’t the only thing that has VOCs. So be cautious to check for VOC-free or low-VOC choices when choosing finishes, stains, and varnishes.

Pick Sustainable Flooring

Think about using environmentally friendly materials to replace the flooring in your kitchen remodeling project. Some of the numerous flooring alternatives to consider for your green kitchen remodel are recycled tiles, bamboo, cork, or sustainably produced hardwood. 

You won’t have to trade beauty for sustainability, regardless of your chosen material.

The following are some of the leading contenders:

• Hardwood recovered and reclaimed for a new use is known as reclaimed hardwood.
• Cork — This type of flooring is soft and springy underfoot. It’s created from a renewable resource, the cork oak tree, like the other items on the list.
• Marmoleum is a natural alternative to linoleum, which is still quite popular.
• Bamboo – Bamboo flooring is gaining popularity in the East due to its vast natural supply.

Consider Hiring an Environmentally Conscious Contractor

If you want to make your kitchen remodeling project environmentally friendly, consulting an expert might benefit. Some contractors have a lot of experience making environmentally-friendly kitchen remodelings. If they specialize in it, they’ll have all the information you need to get the job done well.

If you need assistance with some aspects of your remodeling, you may hire professionals to help you finish those sections. Just make sure you tell each contractor upfront that you want your kitchen remodeling to be environmentally friendly.

Final Thoughts: Commitment is Required for Environmentally Friendly Remodeling

Choosing an ecologically friendly kitchen remodeling project will require more effort than one. To ensure that you’re using the greatest materials and techniques, you’ll need to conduct a study on each one. Thankfully, Ecologically safe and sustainably sourced alternatives from The Forest can take a lot of the uncertainty out of the process, making your green kitchen remodeling project that much easier. Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions. We would be glad to answer any questions you have about kitchen remodeling.