Reasons to Remodel Your Kitchen – Part Three: Energy Efficiency

We discussed aesthetics and functionality as two strong reasons why you should invest in a kitchen remodel. Now, let’s look at how you can recoup some of your costs through energy efficiency.

Your kitchen houses some of the most voracious energy-consuming appliances in your home. But by approaching remodeling with energy efficiency in mind, you can increase comfort while curbing energy costs.

Natural Light

There are many ways to harness the power of natural light in your kitchen. You can choose from:

• Architectural upgrades. Large, conservatory-style windows are great at admitting natural light into any space. So are skylights and French doors. Just make sure that you choose the right glazing material; look for high visible transmittance with the right U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient, depending on where you live. If you have an attic or other access to the roofline above your kitchen, you can also install solar tubes that channel light from the outdoors to your kitchen.
• Lighter-colored window treatments and accessories. Avoid dark-colored draperies and opt instead for sheers, cotton, or linen window treatments. These materials make it easy for light to pass through, which means extra illumination for your kitchen. If you do not need privacy, however, you can do away with the drapery altogether. White walls also brighten up any space.

We also recommend positioning your work surfaces near your windows and skylights to make it easier to see what you’re doing.

Ventilation

High-performance ceiling fans can help with improving air circulation around your kitchen better than exhaust fans, and they make less noise. But, should you need exhaust fans to get rid of cooking fumes and other odors, choose exhaust fans that have a variable-speed option for more energy efficiency.

Manage Your Appliances

Choose compact appliances that do not take up a lot of space. Bigger models, after all, need space that should be built, heated, and maintained. Choose ENERGY STAR-rated products, too, to save on energy consumption and curb utility bills. Be careful when selecting your cooktop, with the larger gas units come ventilation requirements and the need for “make up air” which could translate to a drain on the heating system in colder months.  Also, don’t forget to replace old units as they may be inefficient, and could eat up loads of energy.