The MetaEfficient Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of a home – it’s one of the most-used rooms in a household for both working and socializing, so shouldn’t it be as functional and energy-efficient as possible?  Here is a collection of design ideas and products, both big and small, to help you create a beautiful and efficient kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinets – Refinishing vs. Replacing
Choosing the right kitchen cabinets depends on a huge variety of factors.  But if you’re considering remodeling an existing kitchen, refinishing the cabinets instead of replacing them can be an extremely efficient approach.  Even simply swapping hardware like handles and hinges can have a big aesthetic impact.

Refinish Cabinets Or Replace Hardware & Doors For A New Look

If your kitchen needs a more serious upgrade, replacing the cabinet doors while leaving the existing cabinet structure will minimize the waste (and expense) of the renovation.  And the finished product can give you the look of an entirely new kitchen.

But if you’re building a new home, or if you really need to replace your current cabinets, consider visiting a “reuse-it-yourself” home improvement store.  A growing number of these stores offer new surplus items as well as gently-used supplies from other renovation projects, which can provide huge cost savings.  Some of the most popular R.I.Y. stores are Habitat For Humanity’s nationwide network of ReStore locations.  Visit the Habitat For Humanity website to learn more or find a location near you.

EnviroGLAS Recycled Glass Countertop

EnviroGLAS Recycled Glass Countertop

An ideal kitchen countertop will be functional, and it will be environmentally sensible (which means non-toxic materials and minimizing the environmental impact of its production).  Some of our favorite countertop designs are the beautiful, durable, and low-maintenance terrazzo surfaces from EnviroGLAS.  They require no waxes or special cleaning products, and best of all, they’re created from 100% recycled glass and porcelain bound together with resins that emit no toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

EnviroGLAS countertops are available in a huge variety of colors and styles.  Learn more at the EnviroGLAS website.

The Faucet:  Add An Aerator…

Danco Perfect Match Faucet Aerator

An aerator attached to your existing kitchen faucet is a quick, cheap, and simple way to reduce water use without compromising performance.  The Danco Perfect Match aerator ($2.66 at Amazon) is a basic model that reduces water flow to 1.5 gallons per minute – still plenty of volume for most kitchen use.

… And Consider A Faucet Pedal Control

Pedal Works HandsFree Faucet Controller

Adding a pedal control to your kitchen faucet is more involved (and yes, more expensive) than simply adding an aerator – but it’s a great way to reduce water usage and add convenience in the kitchen.  A pedal controller can be fitted onto an existing hand faucet, and helps avoid letting the water run for tasks like rinsing dishes.  Plus, as a bonus, users can wash their hands without dirtying the faucet handles.

One of our favorite models is the Pedal Works HandsFree Faucet Controller, available at Amazon for $349).

Pick The Right Dishwasher – And Enjoy It
In our recent post about reducing your household water use, we discussed how using a dishwasher is actually quite efficient – as long as it’s an energy-efficient model and you use it properly.  A fully loaded, modern dishwasher typically uses less water and energy than hand-washing the same number of dishes in the sink.

Bosch SHX68E Evolution 800 Plus dishwasher

There are myriad options depending on your size requirements and price range, but you should definitely look for an Energy-Star rated model.  And remember that for major appliances like dishwashers, paying a bit more now may save you money down the road in energy savings and durability.  For example, the Bosch SHX68E Evolution 800 Plus dishwasher ($1,732.56 at Amazon) is a serious investment, but it’s one of the most energy-efficient models available and uses just 1.56 gallons of water per wash cycle.

Microwave Cooking – Fast & Efficient
We haven’t included a range/stovetop in this list because there are so many different owner preferences and needs, and even the most basic choice of gas versus electric often depends on where users live.  But for day-to-day cooking and reheating, a microwave is often far more convenient and energy efficient than a full-size oven, and Panasonic’s NN-SD688S is a solid all-around performer.  The mid-size design offers a 1.2 cubic foot capacity without taking up too much counter space, and the 13.5″ rotating turntable works with “inverter” technology to heat food evenly.  Various preset modes simplify the settings for different uses like defrosting or reheating, and the 1,300-watt power is plenty for most household use.

Panasonic NN-SD688S Prestige Microwave Oven

You can find the Panasonic NN-SD688S Prestige Microwave Oven at Amazon for $140.99.

LED Under-Cabinet Lighting
LEDs are perfect for task lighting applications like under-cabinet fixtures in a kitchen.  They’re extraordinarily energy efficient, they produce clean white light, they’re durable, and they produce minimal heat.  They can be installed in tight spots with less clearance, and they avoid adding more even more heat to a workspace like a kitchen.

Juno Lighting Pro Series Under-Cabinet LED Light

LED fixtures have a higher purchase price than comparable fluorescent or halogen/xenon fixtures, but they pay for themselves over time.  The 30-inch Juno Lighting Pro Series Under-Cabinet LED fixture ($204.56 at Amazon) contains 8 LED modules in a slim aluminum casing that produce warm 3000K light, and the LEDs use just 1/8 the energy of incandescent lamps.  Best of all, the lifespan of the LEDs is 50,000 hours, meaning zero maintenance.

Last But Not Least – The Fridge
We’ve saved the best for last – a refrigerator is usually one of the biggest electricity consumers in a home, so finding a model that combines functionality with energy-efficiency is key.  If you’re still using an older model, an upgrade to a modern refrigerator will offer huge energy savings.  And don’t move that old energy hog into the garage for extra storage – make sure the new one is the right size for your household.

You can get the most out of your fridge by using it as efficiently as possible.  Make sure all door seals are in good shape by closing a dollar bill in the door – a good seal will hold it tight.  Keep your condenser coils free of dust and debris, and make sure the refrigerator isn’t located in direct sunlight.  Try to keep it well stocked, since a full fridge tends to stay cold once the contents are chilled (just leave a little space for cold air to circulate).  And keep the temperature in the right range (35-38F for the fridge, 0F for the freezer) since going colder just wastes power.

Sun Frost Energy Efficient Refrigerator

When shopping for a new fridge, look for a model with the freezer on the top or bottom, since side-by-side designs use more electricity.  Through-door icemakers/water dispensers also reduce energy efficiency, so skip those features.  Although they’re not widely distributed, Sun Frost produces some extraordinarily energy-efficient refrigerators, including a 16 cubic foot model that consumes just 372 kWh annually.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency offers a comprehensive list of Energy Star rated refrigerators, as well as the even more efficient CEE Tier 3-rated models.

For more information on other kitchen gadgets and appliances, you might also be interested in MetaEfficient’s posts on chef’s knives, blenders, slow cookers, and juice extractors.

Reduce Your Home's Water Consumption

Reducing household water usage has big-time benefits for both homeowners and for the environment: reducing strain on local water resources, cutting demand on wastewater treatment facilities, and lowering both water and sewage utility bills, to name a few. Although this is by no means an exhaustive list, we’ve put together a collection of water-saving tips and products that can help you save money and reduce your environmental footprint.

Best of all, these don’t require major sacrifices or lifestyle changes, they’re just adjustments that make a big difference – sort of the water conservation equivalent of “working smart instead of working hard”.

Basic Maintenance

Small Leaks Can Waste Huge Amouts Of Water

Check your fixtures and pipes. Give your household plumbing a good look. Do you see any leaks, even just tiny drips when a faucet is turned on? All those drops add up. A leaky faucet washer can waste tens of gallons of water per day, so why pay for all that water you aren’t using? Plus, by sealing the leak, you’ll avoid the maintenance nightmare of repairing water damage if the little drip turns into a raging flow.

Check your meter. Take a look at your water meter before you leave home to run your errands, then check it a couple hours later when you return (and you know there has been no water use.) If you see any change on the meter, there’s a leak somewhere. Find it and fix it.

Next Stop: The Kitchen

Reuse kitchen water. Instead of wasting it down the drain, use a pail to collect the water you use for rinsing vegetables or cooking foods like pasta or potatoes. The added nutrients make it great for watering a garden.

Don’t let the water run… and run… Of course, this is good advice in the bathroom too, but it’s especially easy to waste water in the kitchen. Make the effort to turn off the faucet when you don’t need it, even for a couple seconds – the water savings will add up quickly. A faucet pedal makes it even easier to regulate water use when your hands are full. One of our favorites is the Pedal Works Hands-Free Faucet Controller ($349 at Amazon)

Pedal Works Hands-Free Faucet Controller

Use the dishwasher. This is an indulgence you can feel good about. A modern, energy-star rated dishwasher loaded to capacity will use less water and energy than hand washing in the sink. And you can generally skip the pre-rinse, further reducing water use.

Bosch SHX68E Evolution 800 Plus Dishwasher

Bosch is an industry leader when it comes to efficient dishwashers. The Bosch SHX68E Evolution 800 Plus is extraordinarily energy efficient, and uses just 1.56 gallons of water per cycle. Fair enough, this is the Rolls Royce of dishwashers ($1,732.56 at Amazon) but all major manufacturers now offer their own energy star models.

If you must wash by hand, don’t let the water run constantly. Fill the sink with soapy water, wash the dishes, then refill with rinse water.

Bathrooms

Sorry, baths. Despite the very name of the room, baths are a killer when it comes to household water conservation. Showers use a fraction of the water compared to baths, so avoid the full-on tub soaking whenever possible.

Go low-flow. New low-flow showerheads match the performance of older, wasteful designs, while drastically cutting water consumption. One of the best is the Delta Water Amplifying Low-Flow Showerhead ($29.98 at Amazon), which uses just 1.85 gallons per minute in its low-flow mode, yet maintains impressive water pressure for rinsing.

Delta Water Amplifying Low-Flow Showerhead

Shower smart. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get distracted in the shower, what with all the singing and pondering the mysteries of the universe. But try to keep it short – reducing a shower by just two minutes can easily save 100 gallons of water each month.

A nifty little gadget to help you avoid wasting water by being aware of how much you’re using is the Water Pebble, designed by Paul Priestman. The Water Pebble is placed in a sink or shower, and uses green, yellow, and red indicator lights to give a quick visual reference of how much water is being used. Learn more at the Priestman Goode Design website.

The Water Pebble

And While We’re Talking Bathrooms… Low-flow toilets are good, but toilets with a dual-flush option are even better. One of the best is the Caroma Caravelle ($369 at Amazon) which performs just as well as many older high-flow designs but uses only 0.8 gallons per flush for liquids, or 1.6 gallons for solids – which can translate into annual utility savings of $100 in water-restricted areas.

Caroma Caravelle Dual-Flush Toilet

Finally, don’t use the toilet as a trash can. Even with a low-flow design, flushing a tissue or a cigarette butt is an unnecessary waste of water.

Bring The Rain Indoors

OXO Good Grips Pour & Store Watering Can

Rainwater is great for watering indoor plants. It’s free, and it’s actually better for your plants than using municipal water from the faucet. Rainwater contains no chlorine, and its ambient temperature is easier for plants to tolerate than cold tap water. The OXO Good Grips Pour & Store watering can ($15.50 at Amazon) is great for indoor use, thanks to its ergonomic design and compact folding spout.

Do you have other suggestions for simple ways to cut household water consumption? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Foot pedal faucet controllers allow you to control a faucet hands-free. These devices are efficient and hygienic — they are commonly found in commercial kitchens and hospitals. I’m not sure why we don’t see them in more homes. You can reduce water use by 50% using pedal controllers, and if it’s hot water, you’ll be saving power too.

At a sink, you control the flow of a faucet with a pedal much like the accelerator in a car. It’s easier to turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth, shaving, or doing the dishes. In a four-person household, the use of pedal controllers in the kitchen alone can save up to 7500 gallons of water annually, as well as conserve the energy needed to heat those gallons.

Hand-free faucet controllers also guard against the transfer of bacteria between faucet fixtures and hand. They are particularly useful when your hands have paint or soil on them.

Pedal controllers can be installed relatively easily under the sink, although most do require an electrical connection.

Some foot pedal faucet controllers retailers are: Pedal Works Hand-Free, Foot Faucet and Chicago Faucet Shoppe.

This EcoPower faucet by Toto is the type of faucet that uses a infrared sensor to turn on automatically. What makes this faucet unique is that it harnesses the electrical power generated by its own water flow. It has a miniature turbine generator to maintain its rechargeable battery. It can keep itself charged on as little as 5 uses a day. The faucets use less than 0.25 gallons per cycle.