SAHBA Home Hints
July 29, 2007
SAHBA Remodeler Offers Green Kitchen Advice
No matter what color you plan to paint your kitchen, you can “green it up” with energy efficient and sustainable products. SAHBA and the National Association of Home Builders Remodelers offer this guide of products and appliance lifecycles to make smart choices for your next project.
“With just a few steps, homeowners can turn their kitchen renovation into a green renovation,” said Greg Miedema , Owner of Dakota Builders. “These upgrades can significantly reduce utility bills while looking great for years to come.”
Refrigerators (average life: 13 years)
Energy-efficient fridges save about $6-$9 a year over other models. However, “you can save more than $100 a year by replacing a fridge 10 years and older,” said Miedema, a SAHBA Remodelers member.
Dishwashers (average life: 9 years)
Energy Star R-rated models use 41% less energy than other dishwashers, saving up to $90 over the product's life. When replacing older dishwashers, you can reduce energy bills by $30 a year.
Microwave Ovens (average life: 9 years)
Microwaves cook much faster than conventional ovens and use up to 80% less energy.
Oven/Ranges (average life: 13-15 years)
Gas burners use 55% of the energy produced compared to 65% for electric cooktops. Induction cooking uses 90% of all energy produced.
“When choosing ovens, convection ovens can save up to 20% on energy use compared to non-convection models,” said Miedema. “Additionally, self-cleaning ovens tend to have more insulation, making them more efficient as well.”
Kitchen Cabinets (average life: 50 years)
“When replacing cabinets, consider recycled or reclaimed,” Miedema said. “Particle-board offers another economically and environmentally friendly alternative. However, it is less durable than solid wood products.”
Countertops (average life: lifetime of home)
Counters come in all shapes and sizes. Recycled glass and concrete have a modern look and give old materials a second chapter.
Flooring (average life: 10 years to lifetime)
Carpeting lasts about 10 years, linoleum 25 years, and some wood floors a lifetime.
“Consider renewable flooring like cork or bamboo. These options offer easy maintenance with a long-lasting natural look,” said Meidema. “Also, some 2.7 million tons of carpet and rugs are disposed of annually, comprising about 1.2% of all municipal solid waste.”
Details: Miedema at (520) 792-0438.
SAHBA represents about 750 member businesses and 40,000 jobs serving the residential construction industry in Pima and Cochise counties.
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