You’ve probably heard of energy-star appliances for your kitchen. They are government rated and approved electronics that use energy efficiently in order to reduce greenhouse gases and other pollutants that are released into the atmosphere. And while the EPA has mandated that in order for products to earn this label they must meet certain standards (such as delivering the performance and features that consumers demand while still contributing significantly to energy savings in a measurable fashion), it should come as no surprise that there a quite a few eco-friendly appliances that carry the coveted label. However, the lack of an energy-star sticker should not stop you from purchasing appliances that are better for the environment (since they may simply not have undergone testing yet). In any case, here are a few items that you may want to consider for your kitchen, especially if you can find a version available from energy-star.
1. Thrifty oven. If you didn’t know this oven was eco-friendly, you wouldn’t guess by looking at it. The sleek exterior could belong to any similar appliance in a department store, especially with handy features like electronic displays and controls, a child lock, and telescopic shelves. But when you discover that low-energy halogen lights brightly illuminate the cavity (so you never have to open the door to see inside), heat is circulated quickly and efficiently with Circotherm technology, and the door is triple glazed to keep heat inside, you’ll feel even better about installing it in your green and modern kitchen.
2. Induction stove. The idea behind this cook top is simple science that will nonetheless blow your mind. The reason less energy is used is because no heat is created by the elements on this stove. In fact, an electromagnet under the surface is fed small amounts of electricity, which it then induced into the metal of the pot or pan resting on the element, causing it to heat up. So the only heat generated for cooking comes from the pan itself. The best part is, very little heat escapes so less energy is required and the risk of burns from touching a hot stovetop is greatly reduced (as the heat from the pan dissipates quickly once it is removed).
3. Low-flow dishwasher. This appliance can not only save gallons on every load of dishes washed, if you opt for one with the energy-star rating, it will also cut down on electrical use, providing a savings on not one, but two utility bills. That’s one double-duty dishwasher.
4. Tankless water heater. This appliance is one that can benefit your entire home, including your kitchen. It functions differently than a regular water heater in that it does not keep a tank full of heated water on hand (needlessly wasting electricity). Instead, its elements heat water super fast and on demand so that you never heat more water than you need.
5. Aerated faucet. This isn’t exactly an appliance, but it can definitely help you cut down on your water consumption in the kitchen, especially if you rinse a lot of produce. It is a handy addition to your regular faucet that allows you to get the same pressure as taps of old while using only a fraction of the water, which is accomplished by adding air to the mixture.
Kyle Simpson is a writer for Nursing Scholarships where you can find jobs, scholarships, and nursing career descriptions.