Make Your Kitchen Energy-Efficient with Kitchen Remodeling in Miami

Design and Layout

Universal design, which recognizes that individuals of various ages and lifestyles occupy homes, is a growing trend in kitchens today. Counters vary in height and depth, with rounded corners for safety; lighting is plenty and practical; knobs are visible and easy to grasp; and shelves are easily accessible, with more rollout access. The workspace is set up so that two or more cooks can work at once and sit or stand while preparing meals.

Kitchen spaces are becoming more people-friendly as well as resource-friendly. Removable recycling and composting bins are now included in the design for waste disposal. Green building materials and non-toxic goods are becoming more popular in construction, and new government regulations ensure that most restored kitchens will include low-flow faucets and energy-saving equipment. These advancements undoubtedly result in cost savings and convenience, but much more can be done to achieve even greater cost reductions and genuine comfort.

The Role of Energy in the Plan

When considering a kitchen remodeling Miami, keep in mind that homes have a specific ecology: everything is interconnected. The effects of heating, insulation, cooling, lighting, ventilation and indoor air quality are all intertwined. It is especially true in kitchens, where heat, dampness, and cooking odors can cause discomfort in the local area and across the house.

It’s appealing to increase the floor area during a kitchen remodel, but it’s not always required. Bear in mind that a greater space will probably consume more energy to operate and require more construction materials. Take advantage of the chance to better use the available floor space by arranging storage and work areas in a highly ordered manner.

Appliances

In a renovated kitchen, new appliances are a popular choice. Because contemporary appliances are significantly more energy-efficient than their ancestors, this is beneficial for energy conservation. Choosing the most energy-efficient model that meets the budget will save money in the long run. When comparing the productivity of unalike models, Energy Guide labels which are of bright yellow, now compulsory on dishwashers and refrigerators, will be helpful.

Refrigerators

While it comes to kitchen remodeling Miami, be extremely cautious when selecting a refrigerator because it consumes the most energy of any kitchen appliance. Fortunately, refrigerator efficiency has improved significantly. Larger models require more energy to operate and more construction materials, so choose the smallest size that meets your needs. A side-by-side freezer/refrigerator is less energy efficient than one with the freezer on the bottom or top.  Automatic ice makers & through-the-door dispensers will upsurge consumption of energy and expense & manual defrost preferable to automatic defrost. Think about these selections carefully because they will surely make a variance.

The location of the refrigerator is crucial. The compressor will work harder if exposed to high temperatures, direct sunshine, or near hot appliances. More essential, heat from the condensing coil and compressor must escape easily, or else the issue will persist. Enclose the refrigerator loosely in cupboards or against the wall to avoid suffocating it. The amount of breathing room required varies based on where the coils and compressor are located on each model, which is crucial to know before the cabinets are redesigned.

Cooking Appliances

The options here will be determined by the number of chefs in the household, their cooking tastes, and whether or not the home is an applicant for fuel swapping. Some individuals prefer gas cooking, while others prefer non-combustion cooking. Because running gas lines, vents, and electrical connections may affect the kitchen’s layout during kitchen remodeling, now is the time to make the transition.

Rather than standing pilot lights, electronic or thermal igniters are used in almost all modern gas ranges to save energy. Commercial ranges, which are becoming increasingly common in the home kitchens, may not have electronic ignition, so double-check before purchasing. Self-cleaning ovens use a long, high-temperature cycle to burn filth off the inside surfaces. While this consumes more energy, it eliminates the need for harsh oven cleansers. Self-cleaning ovens also have higher insulation, which means they use less energy when in use.

Cooks have more flexibility with cooktops separated from ovens than with ranges. The energy used should not be affected; however, installing the individual units will take more time and money. Microwave ovens are both convenient and economical. They consume one-third of the energy of traditional ovens and produce very little waste heat, which puts a strain on the air conditioning system during the summer.

Dishwashers

Select a dishwasher with an integrated water heater. Because hot water consumes about eighty percent of the energy needed by dishwashers, installing this booster heater allows the main water heater to be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the required 140 degrees Fahrenheit for dishwashing. The less water utilized, the fewer energy consumed, so look for dishwashers’ models with adjustable wash cycles, as well as energy-saving cycles. Also, use an air-dry option to avoid using the electric heater during the drying process. Dishwashers are one of the reasons why the kitchen has been dubbed the loudest space in the home. Always buy a dishwasher that is noiseless & energy-efficient.

Lighting

Consider employing energy-efficient lighting for your kitchen remodeling Miami project. Good design is the foundation of effective lighting. Begin by thinking about task lighting for counters and other work spaces, then consider general background lighting. Bear in mind how electric & natural light might mingle for the best outcomes during the procedure.

Task light fixtures should be divided into regions that can be operated individually. The counter, island, range, and sink, for example, would all have their switches. General ambient lighting may not be necessary for kitchens due to abundant task lighting; however, it should be controlled by its switch if it is placed. Although recessed overhead lights are commonly used in kitchens for both ambient and task lighting, they can cause major air penetration and moisture issues and should be avoided whenever feasible.

Lighting Controls

Good lighting controls to direct the appropriate quantity of light to the correct location only when it is required. When not in use, the dimmer switches lower light output and energy consumption. A dimming circuit should, in most cases, employ an incandescent bulb. Because halogen lamps are slightly more efficient than regular incandescent lamps, they can be a suitable choice. Although some fluorescents have dimmers, the ballasts and controls may be out of reach for most household budgets.

Motion sensors are useful in locations where individuals come & go but don’t stay for extended periods, such as pantries & closets. Motion sensors work nicely with incandescent lighting. The life of fluorescent bulbs and ballasts will be shortened as a result of this type of use.

Ventilation

Moisture, smells, and carbon monoxide vapors from combustion appliances can all be controlled if a kitchen is adequately aired. Recirculating hoods should be avoided since they do not remove moisture. People don’t use range hoods as much as they should because they are too noisy. A remote-mounted fan put distant from the kitchen and connected to the range hood by a duct 6 to 8 inches in diameter is one solution to the noise problem. Pay a little more for a silent fan. People will use it more because they won’t have to leave the room to converse.

Windows and Skylights

Adding windows lets in natural light while also conserving electricity. But don’t overdo it. Glare can be caused by excessively natural light, particularly if it comes from a similar direction. As a result, each window should be added for a distinct purpose: framing a view, lighting a job area, or providing cross-ventilation. Without using a single kilowatt-hour, small skylights may deliver natural light into dark interior spaces. They can, however, produce unwelcome summer heat gain and loss of warm air to the outside in the winter.

Without using a single kilowatt-hour, small skylights may deliver natural light into dark interior spaces. They can, however, produce unwelcome summer heat gain and loss of warm air to the outside in the winter. Keep skylights to a minimum to avoid complications. Only four to eight square feet may be required. To avoid heat gain in the summer days, you should place skylights on a north-facing roof plane.

Get Started Today!

Whatever your reason for kitchen remodeling Miami, professional kitchen designers at Homednb will be happy to talk about ideas and alternatives with you. For a consultation, contact Homednb right away and let us refurbish, refresh, and renovate your kitchen to make it energy-efficient!