Remodeling Kitchens:
A Smorgasbord of Energy Savings

by Bruce Sullivan

The kitchen offers a greater variety of ways to cut energy costs during remodeling than anywhere else in the home.

The kitchen is the busiest room in the house. It's often the social hub of household life. And it's the room most likely to be remodeled--repeatedly--over the life of a house.

The kitchen also represents a concentration of household energy use--anywhere from 20% to 40% of a home's consumption. It should be no surprise then that kitchen remodeling can mean introducing a host of new energy-saving features, or making major energy blunders. Here are a few tips to consider to avoid the remodeler's lament: Oh, no. I should have done it the other way!

The growing trend in kitchens today is universal design, which recognizes that homes are occupied by people of different ages and lifestyles. Counters vary in height and depth and have rounded corners for safety; lighting is generous and functional; knobs are easy to see and grab; shelves are within reach, with more rollout access. The workspace is arranged to accommodate two or more cooks at a time, and they can prepare meals sitting or standing.

Along with being people-friendly, kitchens are becoming more resource-friendly. For waste disposal, removable recycling and composting receptacles are now built into the design. Green building materials and non-toxic products are increasingly used in construction, and new government standards mean the typical renovated kitchen will have low-flow faucets and some new energy-efficient appliances. Certainly these advances mean savings and convenience, but for even greater savings and genuine comfort, so much more can be done.

When contemplating any remodeling job, remember that houses have a certain ecology: everything is connected to everything else. Heating, cooling, insulation, ventilation, lighting, and indoor air quality all affect one another. Nowhere is this more evident than in kitchens, where heat, moisture, and cooking odors can create discomfort in the immediate area as well as elsewhere in the home.

It is tempting to expand the floor area in kitchens during a remodel, but it may not be necessary. Remember: a larger space may use more operating energy and is likely to use more building materials. Take the opportunity to make better use of the existing floor area through highly organized storage and work space arrangements. It's the best way to reduce energy and resource use.

If the space will be enlarged, a heating or cooling system with greater capacity may be a consideration. However, be cautious. First, most residential systems are oversized already. Second, extra insulation, air sealing, proper window orientation, and other structural improvements reduce heating and cooling needs. Pay careful attention to how the redesigned space will be heated, cooled, and ventilated--and how it will influence the rest of the house. Thoughtful redesigns can even correct pre-existing problems such as drafts, stuffiness, and condensation.

Lighting presents similar opportunities for enhancing the home while addressing specific needs in the kitchen. Keep in mind that natural daylight is the most pleasant and efficient lighting source. Daylighting is achieved primarily through proper design, so it shouldn't cost more if windows were already on the replacement list.

Kitchen designers strive to improve the cook's efficiency by carefully arranging workspaces. Cooks obviously take top priority, but don't forget that appliances work, too. The design should take into account how placement affects their efficiency. For example, a refrigerator placed next to an oven or in direct sunlight will work harder and use more energy.

New appliances are favorite items in a remodeled kitchen. That's good for saving energy, because modern appliances are far more efficient than their predecessors. It will save money over the long run to choose the most energy-efficient model that fits the budget. Bright yellow Energy Guide labels, now required on refrigerators and dishwashers, will help when comparing the efficiency of different models.

Placement of the refrigerator is very important, as shown at right. Room temperature, direct sunlight, and close contact with hot appliances will make the compressor work harder. More importantly, heat from the compressor and condensing coil must be able to escape freely, or it will cause the same problem. Don't suffocate the refrigerator by enclosing it tightly in cabinets or against the wall. The proper breathing space will vary depending on the location of the coils and compressor on each model--something important to know before the cabinets are redesigned.

For the most environmentally sound choice, look for the superefficient models containing nonCFC refrigerants that will not harm the Earth's ozone layer. And don't keep that old, inefficient fridge running day and night in the garage for those few occasions when you need extra refreshments. (A 15-year-old refrigerator could cost $100-$150 per year.) Utilities or organizations in many communities will pick up old refrigerators and take them to recycling centers where CFC is recovered.

Because most refrigerators reject heat from the bottom and/or back, they need adequate clearance to allow sufficient airflow. While no specific studies have been done to calculate the optimum clearance space, one general rule-of-thumb is to double the space recommended by manufacturers for refrigerator installation.

The choices here will depend on the number of cooks, their cooking preferences, and whether or not the home is a candidate for fuel switching. Some people prefer cooking with gas, while others favor noncombustion appliances. Remodeling is the time to make the switch, since running gas pipes, vents, and electrical connections will influence the layout of the kitchen. Depending on the local gas and electric rates, energy savings can be significant, but the cost of switching should also be considered.

Almost all modern gas ranges save energy with electronic or thermal ignitors instead of standing pilot lights. The commercial ranges (new and used) that are becoming very popular in residential kitchens may not have electric ignition, so be sure to check before buying one. Self-cleaning ovens burn grime off the interior surfaces with a long, high-temperature cycle. While this uses extra energy, it reduces the need for caustic chemical oven cleaners. Self-cleaning ovens also have more insulation, which reduces energy use during normal oven operation. Beware of ovens with 400-watt thermal ignitors that operate continuously when the oven is on.

For electric ranges, the standard coil element is probably the best bet. High-tech ranges use halogen lamps or magnetic induction to heat the cooking surface. These are more efficient, but costly. Solid disk elements look better than electric coils, but they heat more slowly and generally use more energy.

Electric convection ovens cost about 30% less to operate than conventional electric ovens and are worth the extra investment. They circulate air inside the oven to improve efficiency and reduce cooking time.

Cooktops separated from ovens allow more flexibility for cooks than ranges. Energy use shouldn't be affected, but installing the individual units will require more resources and likely cost more money.

Microwave ovens are convenient and energy-efficient. They use one-third as much energy as conventional ovens and generate very little waste heat to burden the air conditioning system in the summer.

Choose a dishwasher with a built-in water-heating booster. About 80% of the energy used by dishwashers is for hot water, so using this booster heater means the temperature setting on the main water heater can be set at 120deg.F, instead of the 140deg.F recommended for dishwashing. The less water used, the less energy consumed, so check the manufacturer's data on water use and shop for models with variable wash cycles, including energy-saving cycles. Also, select an air dry option, which does not use the electric heater during the drying cycle (this is a standard feature on the latest models).

The kitchen has been declared the noisiest room in the house, and dishwashers are one of the reasons. Look for a dishwasher that is quiet as well as energy-efficient.

Small appliances don't use enough operating energy to worry about. In fact, using a small appliance may save energy compared to doing the same job with a big one. For example, heating a slice of pizza in a toaster oven uses less energy than firing up the full-size oven.

Efficient lighting starts with good design. Begin with task lighting for countertops and other work areas, then think about general background lighting. During the process, keep in mind how natural and electric light can blend for the best results.

Divide task light fixtures into independently switched task areas. For example, counter, island, range, and sink would each have a separate switch. With ample task lighting in kitchens, general ambient lighting may not be needed; however, if it is installed, it should also operate from its own switch. This background lighting could be a surface-mounted fixture, a cove light mounted on top of the cabinets, or a luminous ceiling. Recessed overhead lights, although used extensively in kitchens for both ambient and task lighting, can be the source of serious air infiltration and moisture problems and should be avoided when possible (see Recessed Downlights, p. 14).

Currently, fluorescents are the most efficient light source suitable for residential use. Since kitchen lights burn for hours at a time, they offer ideal applications for both linear and compact fluorescent lights. Not only do fluorescents use less energy, they also can last 10 times longer than incandescents, making them particularly appealing for difficult-to-reach fixtures.

Linear fluorescent lamps, commonly referred to as tubes, convert electricity to light with four times greater efficiency than the typical incandescent lamp. Tubes come in a variety of sizes. Larger ones work well for ambient lighting, while the smaller models are perfectly suited for under-the-cabinet task lighting, for example.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are two to three times more efficient than incandescents. Their smaller size makes them easier to screw into sockets normally occupied by incandescents, but sometimes their unique shapes are not the perfect fit for fixtures. However, there are now many choices of CFLs on the market, especially for replacing 60W and 75W incandescents. Recently, manufacturers have introduced CFLs with light output similar to a 150W incandescent bulb. There are also CFL fixtures available that take pin-based compact fluorescents so there is no need to worry about the bulb's fit. Proper fit is particularly important in enclosed fixtures, where heat buildup can affect the lamp's performance. Favorite spots for CFLs in the kitchen are over the sink and in suspended and ceiling-mounted fixtures.

A fluorescent lamp needs a ballast to provide the proper electrical input. Select electronic rather than magnetic ballasts. They operate the lamp at a higher frequency, eliminating the flicker and hum sometimes associated with fluorescents. Older electronic ballasts have been known to interfere with electronic devices, such as telephones, televisions, and computers, but current models have eliminated this problem. See if the local electric utility can recommend any particular models.

Fluorescents once had a reputation for providing poor-quality light. That changed roughly 10 years ago when lamps with improved color characteristics became widely available. The color problem is easy to avoid by paying attention to two numbers. The first is color temperature, expressed in degrees Kelvin (K). Most people associate indoor light with the warm look of incandescent lamps at 3,000K or less. Fluorescents for indoor use should have a color temperature of not over 3,500K. The second number is the Color Rendering Index (CRI), which indicates how accurately the light displays colors. Always select lamps with a CRI above 80. Since each manufacturer has a different designation for color properties, it may be difficult to tell by looking at the packaging. However, the manufacturer's product literature often provides the CRI and color temperature information.

Only 10% of the electricity that enters an incandescent lamp comes out as light. The rest turns into heat, which must often be removed with air conditioning. Because they are so inefficient, incandescents should be used selectively for accent and task lighting, or dimming circuits where fluorescents might be too expensive.

Although they are up to 30% more efficient than other incandescents, halogen lamps are still less efficient than fluorescents. Their main advantage is a crisp white light and better control of the light beam. Halogen PAR lamps and the low voltage MR16 lamps are a good choice when you need to direct light to a certain spot.

Good lighting controls put the right amount of light in exactly the right place only when it is needed.

Dimmer switches reduce light output and energy use when not set at full brightness. As a practical matter, a dimming circuit should use an incandescent lamp. Halogen lamps can be a good choice because they are slightly more efficient than other incandescents. Although dimmers are available for some fluorescents, the ballasts and controls may be too expensive for most residential budgets.

Motion sensors, also known as occupancy sensors, are appropriate in areas such as closets and pantries, where people move in and out but may not stay long. Incandescent lamps work well with motion sensors. This kind of use will shorten the life of fluorescent lamps and ballasts.

Recessed Downlights
Recessed downlights are very popular in kitchens, but they can cause problems. Typical recessed fixtures create a large hole in the ceiling and allow a lot of air to pass from the room into the space above the ceiling. If that ceiling is insulated, trouble could be brewing.
The first problem is heat loss carried by the air escaping from the kitchen. A second problem is a hitchhiker that goes along for the ride. Water vapor--generated in large amounts in kitchens--flows with the air through the recessed fixture and directly into the attic or wall cavity, where it can condense on a cool surface, such as the roof sheathing. This can lead to mold, mildew, and eventual structural decay. Cathedral ceilings are especially vulnerable to the moisture problem, because they have limited ventilation space. To avoid these problems, consider surface-mounted fixtures, such as track lights. When recessed fixtures must be used, always specify airtight models that have been pressure tested for low air leakage and be certain they are properly insulated. To ensure the best efficiency and light distribution, install compact fluorescent fixtures.

Adding windows captures natural light and saves energy. But don't go overboard. Too much natural light, especially if it's all from the same direction, can create glare. Large expanses of glass can also reduce thermal comfort by increasing heat gain or heat loss. So add each window for a specific reason: to frame a view, to light a task area, or for cross-ventilation.

The thermal performance of windows has improved greatly over the last 20 years. Today, multiple glazings, low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, and insulated edges combine to give windows overall insulating values that can exceed R-4. Window efficiency is rated by U-factor, which is the rate of heat flow (and the inverse of the R-value). A lower U-factor means less heat transfer.

If possible, install windows on the south side of the room. These will capture solar energy in the winter. Add overhangs and external shading to block unwanted heat gain in the summer. If external shading does not fit the project, look for new glazing products that block direct solar gain without the heavily tinted coatings needed in the past. The shading ability of a window is indicated by its solar heat gain coefficient. The lower the number, the better. Check the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) labels on windows for the solar heat gain coefficient and U-value. The U-value on the NFRC label is the rating for the whole window, including the frame.

Small skylights can bring natural light to dark interior spaces without burning a single kilowatt-hour. However, they can also cause unwanted summer heat gain and lose warm air to the outside in winter. To minimize the problems, keep skylights small. Four to eight square feet may be all that's needed. In warmer climates place skylights on a north-facing roof plane to reduce summer heat gain.

If the existing structure allows, angle the walls of the skylight well so that they fan open into the room, allowing the light to spread. Don't forget to insulate the area around the skylight to at least the same R-value as the ceiling.

Whether illumination comes from a natural source or an electric lamp, try to take full advantage of it. Light-colored paint on the walls and ceiling will bounce light around a room. Prime locations are in skylight wells and on surfaces used for indirect lighting. Light colors also help to make a small room seem more spacious. Semigloss paint adds a bit of reflectivity and durability and eases cleaning. However, to reduce glare avoid semigloss on walls that receive direct sunlight.

Kitchens can get a bit steamy with all the cooking, dishwashing, and gathering of people in one space. In winter, the coldest surfaces in the kitchen are probably the windows and their frames. That's where the water vapor floating in the air will condense. Wood, vinyl, and fiberglass are the best frame materials for insulating value and for reducing moisture problems from mold and mildew.

If a kitchen is properly ventilated, moisture as well as odors and carbon monoxide vapors from combustion appliances can be controlled. Always install a range hood with at least a 150-cubic-feet-per-minute fan that exhausts to the outdoors. Avoid recirculating hoods because they do nothing to remove moisture.

Most range hoods are too noisy, so people don't use them as much as they should. One solution to the noise problem is a remote-mounted fan installed away from the kitchen and connected to the range hood by a duct 6 to 8 inches in diameter. Go ahead and pay more for a quiet fan. It will be used more because people will not have to leave the room to have a conversation.

Range hoods mounted above the cooking surface are effective because they work with the momentum of the vapors as they rise naturally from the cooking surface. Downdraft fans must overpower this natural momentum with a fan two or three times larger than is necessary in an overhead hood.

In tight houses or where multiple or larger exhaust fans are used, suction can cause flue gases to spill from combustion devices, such as gas water heaters, furnaces, and wood stoves. If the house has combustion appliances, be sure that they have an adequate air supply.

While working on the ventilation system, remember to seal the ducts and the openings where they penetrate walls. If old vents are not going to be used in the renovation, be sure they are sealed off and the area is insulated. Often flex duct is used to extend existing duct runs to a new register. It's important that there are no bends in the ducts that will inhibit air flow and that the joints are secured with airtight mechanical fasteners.

When the remodeling project tears into the building's structure, a whole new set of energy-saving opportunities arises. This is the perfect time to tighten up air leakage passageways that cause discomfort and contribute to high heating and cooling costs. While the walls are open, seal all the gaps around pipes and wires. Air leaks through gaps like these can be responsible for 30% of the heat loss in a typical older home; the kitchen, with all its plumbing, electrical, and gas penetrations, is a major source of that leakage. Don't forget the space behind cabinets and above false ceilings, which are common corridors for air flow to and from the outside.

Next, fill the walls, ceilings, and floors with as much insulating value as is economically feasible. The local utility will know what level is recommended for the area. An R-value may be printed on the insulation bag, but proper installation is required to actually achieve that value. Demand a high-quality job. Batt insulation should fill every nook and cranny without compressing the material. Loose-fill and dense-pack insulation can be blown into areas around obstructions. With both systems, the skill of the installer is critical. Use expanding foam to seal and insulate areas too small for fibrous insulation.

In most households, heating water ranks second only to space conditioning on the list of big energy users. Much of that hot water goes to the kitchen for cleaning and dishwashing.

As a first step to save energy be sure the thermostat on your water heater is not set above 120deg.F and that the tank is wrapped with an insulating jacket. Insulating the hot water pipes will save even more.

All new faucets should restrict water flow to no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. If a new faucet is not in the plan, a replacement aerator will reduce water use.

On-demand water heating systems installed in the kitchen eliminate the long wait for water to get hot as much of it pours down the drain. Until recently, most of these systems had drawbacks because of fluctuating temperatures, limited capacity and questionable energy savings. However, new demand systems, which simply accelerate the flow of water from the hot water tank and force standing water in the pipes back to the tank, provide convenience and save water and energy. Don't confuse these with constant recirculation systems, which increase energy use.

When most existing kitchens were designed, little thought was given to trash removal beyond garbage disposals and trash compactors. Now that household waste recycling is available in most communities, kitchens need to accommodate sorting and storage of an increasing number of materials. The kitchen is the logical place for a recycling center.

Recycling systems can be as individual as people and their kitchens. Any retailer with a good selection of storage supplies should be able to offer the makings of a suitable system. Here are two guiding principles:

• Keep it flexible. The recycling industry is growing and changing. Local recyclers may start accepting new materials or change the way materials are separated. A rigid storage system may not adapt to changes.
• Keep it simple. No one likes to deal with trash, so reduce handling to a minimum. Most people like a system that allows sorting, storage, and transportation all in the same container.

Throughout the project choose products and materials that are friendly to the environment. Hundreds of materials with recycled content are now available. They use less energy for reprocessing than new materials use for extraction and primary processing. A few examples are ceramic tiles made from glass bottles, floor boards resawn from old barn beams, and cellulose insulation that gives a second life to newspapers.

Other categories of green materials are wood from trees that are grown in sustainably managed forests and nontoxic products for sealing, finishing, etc. A few large cities have stores that specialize in these products. Several sources of information about sustainable products are listed under Resources.

Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2140 Shattuck Ave., Suite 202, Berkeley, CA 94704. Tel:(510)549-9914; Fax:(510)549-9984. (Includes guide to efficient new appliances)

Environmental Building News, West River Communications Inc., RR 1 Box 161, Brattleboro, VT 05301 Tel:(802)257-7300; Fax:(802)257-7304. (Bimonthly newsletter on sustainable building)

Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180-3590. Tel:(518)276-8716; Fax:(518)276-2999. (Books, including Lighting Pattern Book for Homes, and technical reports on energy-efficient lighting)

The Smart Kitchen, and Choose to Reuse, Nikki and David Goldbeck, Ceres Press, P.O. Box 87, Woodstock, NY 12498. Tel/Fax:(914) 679-5573.

Iris Communications, Inc., 258 East 10th Ave., Suite E, Eugene, OR 97401. Tel:(800)346-0104; Fax:(503)484-1645. (Books, videos, product directories and databases on energy efficient and sustainable building materials, free catalog)

Center for Resourceful Building Technology, PO Box 100, Missoula, MT 59806. Tel:(406)549-7678; Fax:(406)549-4100. (Sustainable building consulting, product guides)