Making your home a healthy energy-efficient place for you, your family and the environment can be easily achieved. The kitchen is a great place to start if you are thinking about making some changes around the home. Why is this? It’s simple – the kitchen is the centre of activity in many Canadian homes therefore it is also the place where the waste of energy, electricity and water happen the most.
Curious how you can make the kitchen a healthier place for both you, your family and the environment? Check out the tips below for some easy, practical tips that will help to make your home a better place for all of us!
- Install an aerator tap; a simple and inexpensive one can reduce water use by up to (if not more!) 60%.
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances (fridges, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers) as they can cut energy consumption anywhere between 15% and 50%.
- Make sure you store any materials (cleaners, toiletries, compost, garbage) that might have odours that reduce the air quality of your home in properly sealed containers.
- When choosing cabinet materials look for low-pollutant-emission board materials and finishes.
- Light tubes and skylights, if properly designed and installed, are a great way to let in more natural light thus saving on the cost of artificial light.
Energy Efficient Light Tube
- Solid-surface counter-tops are great as they emit few vapours.
- Make sure that the underside of your counter-top is sealed properly with low-odour sealant.
- Proper ventilation is a must as it helps to control cooking-related moisture in your home (and odours!).
- When shopping for cleaning products look for natural, biodegradable products; think baking soda, vinegar and borax.
- And remember; make sure to recycle and compost to help reduce the volume of household garbage sent to landfills.