An Eco-Kitchen Needn’t Cost The Earth

An Eco-Kitchen Needn’t Cost The Earth

‘Sustainability’ has become a buzzword in these modern times. It’s all about reducing our carbon footprint and using as many eco-friendly products as we can get our hands on but how does that relate to kitchens?

Well, for a start your kitchen is the most eco-hungry room in your home. All those energy-guzzling appliances such as fridges/freezers, washing machines and dishwashers – not to mention toxic paints and rainforest-reducing wood – can have the green brigade screaming in outrage.

So how can you make your kitchen more ‘green’ without too much extra cost to yourself? At My Beautiful Kitchen we have a few answers:

Reclaimed wood

• Cabinets made from this are often cheaper and have a lot more character than newly-produced versions – perfect for an eco kitchen.
• Worktops can be made from recycled stone (which is a lot more glamorous than it sounds)

A-rated appliances

• Triple AAA washing machines, dryers, cookers etc use far less energy and so cost less to run. If your current appliances are more than ten years old chances are it’ll be cheaper for you in the long run to buy new versions (but not necessarily all at the same time!)
• Make sure your fridge stands at least 20cm from the wall to allow its cooling function to do its job and try and keep the door open as little as possible. Rapid cooling versions are now available in shops
• Freezers use less energy when full – so do dish washers
• When it comes to ovens, self-cleaning versions are better insulated and so use less energy. Some ovens have triple-glass doors for super-insulation
• Induction hobs are a relatively new technology which only heat up when a pot is sitting on them, meaning only necessary energy is used
• Steam-based washing machines are becoming popular. These use less water and electricity than conventional models and some can even calculate your clothes load

Led lights

• These tend to use a low wattage which can lend a nice atmosphere to your kitchen. They also burn for a lot longer than conventional bulbs.
• If you’re thinking of having a kitchen make-over try and utilise as much day-light as possible by putting worktops and sinks near windows

Recycled goods

• Chopping boards can be produced from recycled paper or sustainable bamboo and coffee filters are made from recycled paper these days
• Consider getting a recycling facility built-in to your kitchen

Other tips you might want to consider in a bid to keep your kitchen ‘green’ is a built in water filter (rather than buying bottled water), time delay switches so you can run your appliances at night when energy is cheaper to use and, of course, natural cleaning products to keep all those energy efficient goods nice and shiny for longer.

For more information on energy saving devices in your kitchen give our kitchen eco experts at My Beautiful Kitchen a call tel 0141 771 3640.