kitchen remodeling and energy efficiency

Kitchens are typically energy-intensive rooms. Non-efficient kitchen appliances and inadequate lighting and ventilation are causes of high energy bills…

Remodeling & Kitchen Appliances

Old refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, dishwashers and other kitchen appliances are typically energy-inefficient. Besides, most kitchen appliances are also oversized, which is also a cause of significant energy consumption.

See, for details:

Energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers
Energy-efficient Clothes Washers and Dryers
Energy-efficient Dishwashers

Passive Solar kitchen

If you are projecting a new kitchen, pay attention to passive solar principles and design. Kitchens are typically very used rooms that should be located in the winter sunny side of the home (the south, in northern hemisphere; the north, in southern hemisphere).

See, on this issue: Passive solar design, Passive solar plans

Daylighting & Windows

Natural daylight is good for our health and to get energy savings. And sufficiently large kitchen windows, properly located, can provide good day-lighting and less energy consumption.

See:

Daylighting basics
Casement, awning and hopper windows
Kitchen lighting

Natural ventilation

Use natural ventilation whenever possible. Many kitchens have poor air quality, due to bad natural ventilation. Mechanical kitchen ventilation is necessary and advantageous in many cases, but whenever possible use natural ventilation (using windows and skylights properly located).

See, for more information on these issues:

Ceiling fans and
Exhaust fans
Natural Ventilation
Types of windows
Basics on windows