Face it, the odds of energy costs coming down in the near future are Not going to happen. I would say Combine that with a stagnant housing market, but that is not the case here in Phoenix for the last few months. The investors are here and have been here purchang those 2nd homes and rentals. What we have is a surge in Green Remodeling.
The Green movement has always been a fringe element of society as long as it was not affecting the pocketbooks of the American consumer. We tend to think right but act based upon our pocketbooks and what is good for our families.
However, when energy prices soar, the right thing to do for our families is now concentrate on energy efficient choices that will benefit us all. Add to that technological innovations that have improved efficiency while lowering cost on energy savings projects you have the perfect storm.
A few Tips on Hoe to Green your Kitchen:
1. Love Your Appliances
Energy-efficiency upgrades are coming fast and furious to many new appliances. An efficient dishwasher, for instance, can use a lot less water than washing the dishes by hand in the sink. But before you jump the gun and make a hasty appliance purchase, however, first check to make sure that a repair isn't in order. When buying or replacing appliances, choose energy-efficient models. Federal ENERGY STAR-rated appliances are designed to use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard appliances and save an average of 30 percent over standard models. Dont forget to recycle the old one.
2.Bulk Up
Buy in bulk and cook in bulk; just make sure you can consume what you purchase * it's often cheaper because you're skipping all that packaging;
* it's often healthier than the alternatives because the products you're buying tend to be less processed than packaged products; and
* last but not least, it feels really good to bypass all that unnecessary paper and plastic
Buying in bulk can be very gratifying. Purchasing from the bulk bins mean less packaging, and fewer trips to the store, and can also mean financial savings. It's not just for groceries, either: for example, you can buy bulk packages of towels intended for cleaning and detailing cars, and use them in the kitchen. They're extremely sturdy and a lot cheaper than most kitchen towels (not to mention much less disposable than paper towels). Bulk cooking is a more efficient use of appliance energy and your time, (and a great excuse to throw a party), so cook up a nice big pot of soup and anticipate saving and eating lots of leftovers. And plan ahead; planning meals that can feed you and your family for a few days is a great way to shop efficiently and free up your precious leisure time.
3. No More Antibacterials
Studies show that antibacterial soap is no more effective than regular soap at killing bacteria and getting things clean and neither can kill viruses. The same is true of antibacterial hand cleaning gels, lotions, cutting boards, sponges, etc. If you're not convinced, check out what the CDC says.
In addition, there is a good possibility that using anti-bacterial products may encourage the growth of antibiotic-resistant "superbugs" against which modern medicine has no defense. That is some scary sh*t! And there are rumors that using antibacterial soap and other products may actually increase your risk of infection over time by killing off "good" bacteria and weakening your immune system. This has not been definitively proven yet but I can't think of a single reason to keep on using this junk until it is...
Despite all the technological advancements, there is just no replacement for washing your hands and surfaces well with plain old soap and water .
Just a few easy tips make all the differance.... grab the Green
