Make your kitchen W
ith an increasing awareness of the need to protect the Earth’s natural resources, more of us are searching for sustainable ways to update our homes. Consider the following ‘green’ solutions for your own climate conscious kitchen.
Boiling Water Taps More energy efficient than a kettle and, arguably, more cost effective in the long run, boiling water taps are becoming a must have in many new kitchens. Quooker’s latest innovation, the ‘Cube’, also provides filtered, chilled and sparkling options, removing the need for anymore plastic and glass water bottles. The company will recycle used canisters too, which can be sent back free of charge. Recycled Materials British based manufacturer Daval has recently launched the Renzo cabinet collection which has been dubbed as the kitchen with a conscience and one that builds a better future. Doors are made from 100% recycled materials, with a guarantee that no trees have been sacrificed in order to create this exciting and unique product. The range is made from items such as pallets, fruit boxes and existing furniture but, aesthetically, will compete with the most luxurious of modern kitchens. Lighting Kitchen lighting needs to work on many levels. It should be bright enough for food preparation, but soft enough for relaxing, kitchen dining. It must be practical yet complement the style of the room at the same time. And, of course, it should be energy efficient. With traditional bulbs, research shows that only 5% of the electricity they use is actually converted into light. Instead, much is wasted on the heating of the filament, which in turn gives off that yellow tinge. Swap
12 Completely Bromsgrove
these for ultra-efficient LEDs, and whilst the initial investment is higher, your new lighting will last up to ten times as long, with considerable cost savings. Less waste New developments in refrigeration are having a direct impact on reducing waste, by keeping our food fresh for longer. Siemens’ hyperFresh technology is designed to store items at the ideal temperature and humidity with intelligent drawer design and the ability to cool food up to 40% faster. Whilst we’re on the subject of food, buying locally not only reduces carbon footprint but also helps to support small, independent businesses. Dishwashers Research suggests that if used efficiently, dishwashers can be significantly cheaper than running your tap while hand-washing your dishes. According to The Energy Saving Trust, one average dishwasher cycle would cost the same in energy and water as heating six washing-up bowls of water in the sink or running the hot tap continuously for nine minutes. Induction cooking With induction hobs you can prepare your favourite dishes quickly and easily, helping you get dinner on the table in less time. Which? found that some models can heat 1.5 litres of water to 90°C in around four minutes. That’s more than twice as fast as most gas or electric cookers. Induction cooking is also safer and more efficient because heat is generated instantly in the induction stove and vanishes just as quickly when
