In the Kitchen

The kitchen is the central command center of my home. This is where my life happens. I spend much of my evening and weekends in just that room. Making the kitchen a little healthier while being more eco-conscious is a great next step in my path to greendom. Plus, with so many eco-friendly kitchen options, it can be one of the easiest places to green up your home.

Always start with the design, says kitchen designer Glenda Anderson, of Details International, who focuses first on natural light. Work areas, chopping boards and sinks should be placed near big, beautiful windows. Skylights are also a must in a kitchen. Anderson suggests venting skylights, which draw hot air up and out for some natural ventilation.

An easy, quick way to go green in the kitchen is with appliances. That ENERGY STAR logo lets homeowners know that they are on the right track. But, other brands offer energy savings as well. Sub-Zero/Wolf is Anderson’s favorite brand of energy-savings all-stars. The company offers super-efficient fridges and freezers. The key is dual refrigeration, which controls each side of the unit separately. After homeowners stand there perusing the food stock, only one side of the unit will have to power up to cool itself. Plus, its Web site boasts, “When you consider that a refrigerator runs 24-hours a day, seven days a week, our largest units only cost pennies a day to operate. The largest unit even uses less power than a 100-watt light bulb.”

Once you’ve got your energy savings in order, it’s time to think about materials. Countertops, floors and cabinets all come in durable, eco-friendly options. The key: formaldehyde free. Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in glues and composite materials. It lets off a stinky gas that can be harmful to our health.

Another important component in choosing these products is how they are made. Always reuse what you can, but if new materials are necessary, look for renewable materials. Wood is considered green when sustainably harvested. Products made from recycled materials, such as countertops and cabinets, are a good bet.