Our top 5 tips for a greener & kinder kitchen.
We are often asked about sustainability when installing a new kitchen. There is a lot of detail when it comes to ensuring that the kitchen of your dreams will not cost the earth. The ideal time to ensure that your new kitchen meets your sustainable aspirations is at the design stage. Some additional thought at the outset will save you money and energy in the longer term.
Choose a quality kitchen that will stand the test of time
A low quality mass produced kitchen will almost always prove to be a false economy both financially and in terms of the environment.
A handmade kitchen uses sustainable, quality materials. Although more of an initial investment, it will last for significantly longer, ensuring fewer resources are used overall and less energy consumed. So less waste as multiple cheap kitchens are removed and sent to landfill whilst your investment in quality will deliver benefits for decades. Your own quality of life and the investment in your property will also see the rewards.
Choose your sustainable kitchen locally
A locally crafted, sustainable and ethically sourced handmade kitchen is significantly kinder to the planet. Our own manufacturing facility is in Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Our carefully managed supply chain is short and constantly monitored to ensure sustainability.
Use energy efficient appliances
Smart appliances not only make your kitchen easier to use, but also improves its energy efficiency. Consider an induction hob as this is highly efficient. Heat is from the hob channelled into the pan itself, cooking the food faster and using much less power than electric or even gas hobs.
Modern fridges, freezers and cool drawers optimise and manage storage temperatures. This ensures the best use of energy as well as keeping your food fresh for longer, ensuring less waste.
Water, water everywhere
Water consumption is a big deal in kitchens – Modern taps, dishwashers and washing machines can all function with a much lower water flow than older versions thus minimising water consumption. Fisher & Paykel’s Dish Drawer for example offers an attractive and economic way to do small dishwasher loads.
Multi-function taps can provide hot cold and even sparkling water. Thus removing the need for a kettle along with storage space for bottled water. Studies have shown that the vast majority of us tend to over fill a kettle for a single cup of tea. (We’ve all done it!) Using a Quooker smart tap, you only use the amount of water you actually need. Smart indeed!
Light up your life
Long-lasting LED Lighting not only provides a highly controllable lighting system but is also is considerably cheaper to run than old fashioned lights. Standard LED bulbs can be up to 80% more energy efficient than conventional bulbs, and waste far less energy than other styles of lighting.
Fluorescent lights convert over 90% of the energy they produce into heat and only 5% into light. LED lights, however, convert 95% of their energy into light, with only 5% being wasted as heat. So an LED requires much less power to run than traditional lighting and will have a positive impact on running costs and the planet.
Get more information on smart appliances in our Inverleith and Morningside Showrooms
