The Heart of the Home - Only Better

Need more space? An up-to-date-aesthetic? Patience and a sense of humor will get you through the washing-dishes-in-the-tub phase of kitchen remodeling, but you'll need a little extra planning to turn the project into a smart, healthy renovation that keeps paying you back.

While you're ripping things out, you've got a golden opportunity to improve the comfort and quality of the air you breathe -- and at the same time lower your monthly utility bills. You can also make choices that are sensitive to the environment. Why pass these opportunities by?

We can't think of a good reason, either.

Here's how to do it:

Appliances: Got kids? If they're along for the ride when you're appliance shopping, have them help you look for the ENERGY STAR® label. These appliances meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy. An ENERGY STAR qualified dishwasher, for example, will only cost about $20 more than a comparable model, but because it is 25% more efficient than federal requirements, it can save you between $15 and $25 or more a year on your water heating bill.

An ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses at least 15% less energy than federal allowances, and 40% less than conventional models sold in 2001. You can expect to pay about $30 more up front; through energy savings, you'll be earning money back on your purchase within 5 years. Learn more about savings through ENERGY STAR.

Cabinets: Do you really need new cabinets, or could you revive your old ones with resurfacing or repainting? If you're after an updated look, resurfacing can do the trick. This could save you thousands. Look up "cabinet refacing" to find an installer near you.

Whether refacing or installing new cabinets, be wary of cabinets constructed of particleboard or conventional medium density fiberboard (MDF), which can fall apart when wet. According to the City of Seattle's Sustainable Building Program, these products often contain urea formaldehyde, which can emit irritating and unhealthy fumes for decades after installation. Instead, select environment and health friendly alternatives such as formaldehyde-free MDF; agricultural fiber panels, called wheatboard or strawboard, which are free from formaldehyde binders; or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified exterior-grade plywood.

Countertops: Try to avoid using a product that is mined in an ecologically damaging way, like most granite products. Choose one of the many beautiful, affordable and environmentally friendly alternatives such as recycled glass tiles, recycled stone, and composite countertops.

Flooring: Bamboo, recycled content tile, concrete and reclaimed or sustainably certified woods are all environmentally friendly floor coverings (pdf). They are durable, attractive, and affordable.

Insulate Walls and Ceiling: If your remodel involves tearing down walls or replacing drywall, seize this chance to do some extra air sealing and insulating to your ceiling and exterior walls. HUD's Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor estimates that this step will add only about $140 to your project cost, and will save you about $55 annually. As energy prices rise, you'll save even more. PATH can help you understand your insulation options so you can decide which product is right for you.

Lighting: Select ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures. They will save you roughly 75% over non-fluorescent alternatives. If you tried compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in the past and didn't like them, give them another shot. Recent improvements have eliminated flicker and delay, and you can get them in warm light tones that look just like incandescents (CRI of 80 or above).

If your old fixtures are staying, replace the incandescent bulbs with CFLs. Each CFL bulb will save about $30 over its lifetime, and they only need replacing once every 6-10 years.

Windows: ENERGY STAR qualified windows with a U-Value below 0.35 are your best choice. The improved comfort they deliver will surprise you. Be sure to select windows appropriate for your climate (click on window selection tool). A high-performance ENERGY STAR window will cost you only about $40 more than a conventional window, but it will save you about $20 a year in heating and cooling costs.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, they say. These few steps can give your home a healthy new heart. And that's more exciting even than the return of running water.

For more ideas on how to incorporate energy efficiency into your remodel, and for more specific cost information for your project, visit the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor.

Content updated on 1/16/2007