8 ways to go green in the kitchen

Key insights

• Amping up the amount of natural light in your dining space can help save energy, cut spending and improve your mood.
• Separating kitchen waste in three separate bins can help the environment by reducing the amount of waste entering landfills.
• Consider investing in an eco-friendly refrigerator and other energy-efficient appliances.

If you’re looking to make your home more eco-friendly, a great place to start is in the kitchen. Not only is an updated kitchen one of the best home renovations to boost your resale value (with an estimated 78.4 percent return on investment), improving your kitchen can also lead to a more efficient and green-friendly home. Here are eight ways to help your household go green in the kitchen.

1. Install windows and skylights

Whether you’re planning to stay in your home for the long run or you’re considering selling in the next few years, consider making the investment to add additional windows or skylights in your kitchen.

Not only will these light sources provide an appealing natural ambiance (with benefits that we’ll discuss next), they will also help clear vapors, pollutants and toxins from the space where you make and enjoy your meals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reports that increasing the amount of outdoor air in your home is crucial to improving indoor air quality.

2. Make use of natural light

Whether you install windows or your home is already well-equipped with natural light sources, it’s time to optimize the light in your space. After all, there’s a reason homeowners and real estate professionals alike rave over the use of natural light. Not only can natural light help improve your mood, it can also help you go green in your kitchen.

To lessen the use of electricity in your home, relocate your favorite cutting boards, kitchen workspaces or dining table to be near a window or under a skylight. Then, you can turn off some or all of your lights to make use of the daylight in your kitchen while cooking or eating.

When it’s dark outside and you must use lighting, upgrade to compact fluorescent bulbs or LED lighting; each option is much more efficient than standard bulbs.

3. Utilize high-efficiency ventilation systems

While it’s preferred to use windows to circulate air, natural air isn’t a practical solution during extreme Minnesota and Wisconsin winters. When ventilation is necessary and open windows aren’t an option, consider using a higher-efficiency exhaust fan. Ideally, invest in a fan that offers different speed options.

For even more ventilation, choose a high-efficiency ceiling fan to help circulate air. In addition to using less energy, these fans are usually quieter than exhaust fans.

If you’re looking for a high-efficiency ventilation solution for your kitchen, check out Energy Star’s 2021 recommendations for the most efficient housing appliances.

4. Update your plumbing

It could be time to update your plumbing. Dated fixtures may use more water, whereas low flow models have gained popularity and are available for reasonable prices. When opting for more water-efficient faucets, remember that you’ll be saving yourself a bit of change (up to $35 annually) while also helping to protect the environment. Keep in mind, even a small faucet leak can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water in a year.

5. Purchase energy-conscious appliances

When making green updates in your kitchen, consider the lifespan of your home appliances. For example, refrigerators can account for nearly 15 percent of your home’s energy demand. And, most fridges function for an estimated 10 years. If you’re nearing the 10-year mark, it could be the moment to invest in a new, more eco-friendly refrigerator.

Compact and high-efficiency models are preferred. In fact, the Department of Energy indicates that fridges with top-mounted freezers use anywhere from 10 to 25 percent less energy than typical side-by-side or bottom-mount refrigerators.

Want to test the efficiency of your fridge? Try closing the fridge door over a piece of paper. If the paper can easily slide out, the seal may need to be adjusted or a new model may need to be purchased. See how much an energy-efficient fridge could save you with this Flip your Fridge Calculator.

6. Locally source kitchen amenities and appliances

While making changes to go green in the kitchen, try to source your updated eco-friendly supplies and high-efficiency fixtures locally. This helps support local businesses while also reducing the hidden environmental impact of shipping new products to your doorstep.

For other ways to limit your environmental impact as you elevate your space, consider:

• Tidying your home and donate what you no longer need
• Repurposing items you already own, rather than buying new
• Opting for eco-friendly building materials when possible

7. Create a built-in waste station

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 42.8 million tons of food waste end up in landfills or combustion facilities every year. To create a greener kitchen and divert waste from landfills, consider sorting your kitchen waste and composting when possible.

By creating a built-in waste station in your kitchen, separating your waste will become simpler than ever. Plus, these systems can be made to blend in your home (think of a pull-out waste drawer) or be stylish (find DIY options on Pinterest or search your local home improvement store for ready-to-go products). When separating your waste so it can be properly disposed of, be sure to create three separate containers for the following:

• Trash
• Recycling
• Composting

8. Recycle and donate old materials

Recycling and donating materials or equipment that your household no longer uses is ultra-important, especially during a remodel aimed at going greener in the kitchen. While making changes to elevate the efficiency of your space, be sure to properly dispose of the pieces you no longer need.

Moving forward with a green kitchen

Whether you’re a homeowner ready to stage your renovated green kitchen for sale or you’re in the market for a Green Path home with an energy-efficient cooking space, reach out to Edina Realty or your agent today. We can help you at any stage of the home buying or selling process.