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.

For most, the cabinets are the number one priority for a new kitchen design. So matching your cabinets seems to be an obvious step when considering the type of flooring you choose for your kitchen. If your cabinets are a dark wood, then your flooring should also be dark. While white or light wood cabinets offer a wider choice of floor colors and types.

Solid hardwood flooring is a traditional choice for a kitchen renovations. Laminate flooring is a cheaper option, but if you are eco conscious, seek out local salvage shops or neighborhood teardowns for existing flooring that you can recycle! Using reclaimed hardwood will ease the renovation bill as well as add peace of mind.

Other eco friendly choices include bamboo and cork. This type of eco flooring, made from tree-like grasses, is really ideal for kitchens. As the tropical woods are already moisture resistant, they make an obvious and easy choice. Even better, they tend to have natural antimicrobial properties.

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.