How to Choose Green Home Appliances

Most people do not realize that the small home appliances that they purchase are energy hogs, especially when compared to the newer large home appliances, such as refrigerators, televisions and dishwashers. With the new energy star ratings that have been put in place for larger home appliances, it is infinitely easier for consumers to determine how green an appliance is. When it comes to smaller appliances though, it become difficult for the average consumer to understand how much energy will be used and if there is a better option out there. There are several things that you can look for though in order to choose the best products for your home.

The first indicator of how much energy a product consumes is the wattage it requires in order to function, which every appliance should have somewhere on the package or on the appliance itself. Wattage will tell you how much energy is necessary to power the appliance and a quick check at which appliances consume more than they should is to quickly scan several of the same appliance on the shelf. When you have the same product, that are the same size and do the same job, but one requires 240 watts, while another requires 120 watts, then there is an obvious distinction.

Once you have brought home your green appliances, or if you already own all the appliances that you can afford, but don’t know how green they are compared to newer products, there are things you can do to keep energy consumption down. Instead of keeping your appliances plugged in when you are not using them, remove them from a power source and keep the cords put away. Even when not in use, when your appliances are plugged in they continue to consume energy. Above all, make sure that you ask questions about the appliances that you are looking at because there is generally someone on staff who is knowledgeable on which products are more energy efficient than others.

Eco Flooring: Kitchen Renovation Ideas

Kitchen renovation – for some it is two words said with a heavy sigh. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Kitchen renovations don’t have to be an ordeal you endure. Rather, renovating your kitchen can be an adventure you can plan step-by-step. Planning your renovation out well before starting can mean a much smoother process in this fabulous transition (and improvement) of your home. Read more

Silicone Bakeware – Eco Friendly and Safe

My husband and I are looking to buy a home this spring. Part of the “plan” is to use some extra money to invest in a few needful things – and get rid of the old stuff I just don’t use anymore. One of those needful things will include some non-stick cookware and oven gloves of all things. My husband always manages to scorch the oven gloves somehow. Can’t have old stuff in my new kitchen can I? He won’t be able to scorch these gloves! See the video below.

My teeny apartment kitchen has some pretty meager storage, so I’ve simply gone without a lot of the usual kitchen gadgets. The same goes with cooking at home! I haven’t cooked any major family dinners in several years now. With the new kitchen this spring, that will change – finally.

So I look forward to doing some baking. I am really excited about the kinds of silicone bakeware there is out there now. You may not have heard of silicone bakeware before, but it’s been around for about a decade already! I recall seeing them before but was skeptical. Don’t let the flimsy look of these products scare you. They are sturdy enough to keep their shape no matter what temperature you put them in (up to 428 or so to below 25 degrees celsius). Best of all, a simple and gentle twist and your food pops right – no fuss! Cleanup is a breeze. A quick wash under warm water and they are ready to use again. Storing these products is easy! They stack and fit pretty much anywhere due to their flexibility.