The Green Home: Innovations in Sustainable Design

The Kitchen Master

Here at The Kitchen Master, we know that sustainability in home renovation and design is just common sense.

Renovating a home can be one of the most rewarding—and challenging—experiences in one’s life, so it’s important to get it right the first time. That’s why we’re here to share our tips and ideas for creating a home that is energy-efficient, functional and beautiful.

Materials Matter

The type of building materials you choose can have implications far beyond your home.

When inappropriate materials are used in building, it results in one thing: waste. All materials have a certain amount of energy associated with them. This energy is used over their lifecycle, from processing of raw materials, to manufacturing to transportation.

That’s why it’s so important to choose the right materials, so their embodied energy will not diminish or cancel out the benefits of years of sustainable living.

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So what are the best materials to use? In general, sustainably sourced timbers, recycled and locally sourced materials, and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints and finishes are your best bets. When we complete a home renovation project, we keep material use to a minimum, and reuse what we can from the pre-existing materials.

Water Saving Fixtures

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if all American households installed water-efficient fixtures and appliances, the country would save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion dollars per year.

Reducing your water use has numerous advantages. In addition to helping to conserve and protect your community’s water supplies, conserving water also helps you save money and energy. One of the best ways to do this is to install water-saving appliances and fixtures in your home.

Toilets are notorious for wasting the most water, so if you are considering a bathroom remodel, it might make sense to install a high-efficiency, composting, or dual-flush toilet. High-efficiency showe rheads and faucets can also save a significant amount of water and energy. Some utility companies even offer incentives for installing these fixtures.