Unknown.
READ MORE ABOUT:
Want to build a green kitchen? You could spend a zillion dollars on a Valcucine like the one shown in the picture, or you could follow the check list provided by Kitchen and Bath Green.
Finish materials:
1. Use low-/no-VOC paint. (VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, the toxic fumes from most building products.)
2. Use low-/no-VOC adhesives.
3. Use low-/no-VOC sealers.
4. Use formaldehyde-free cabinetry and MDF.
5. Use bamboo cabinetry.
6. Use wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
7. Replace vinyl with healthy, rapidly renewable flooring, like cork or linoleum.
8. Use recycled-content glass or ceramic tiles for counters and back-splashes. Framing:
1. Salvage materials from demolition.
2. Use engineered lumber.
3. Use FSC-certified wood.
Energy systems:
1. Install LED or compact fluorescent lamps.
2. Use task lighting to illuminate the work surfaces.
3. Install dimmers and occupancy sensors.
4. Install cellulose, recycled-content or formaldehyde-free insulation.
5. Replace appliances built before 1990 with Energy Star models.
6. Insulate around the refrigerator. Move the refrigerator away from direct sunlight and the oven.
7. Replace windows with new energy-efficient windows.
8. Install skylights or sun tubes to bring in additional natural light.
Water systems:
1. Insulate hot- and cold-water pipes.
2. Add flow reducers to all faucets.
3. Add a water filter to the sink or whole house.
4. Add foot pedal controls to the kitchen sink.
Miscellaneous:
1. Use finger-jointed trim (where small pieces of wood are joined together to form a long length of trim).
2. Vent range hoods to the outside.
3. Set aside space for recycling and composting bins to encourage their use.
Difficulty level: Moderate
-
- {}
