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“The price is starting to come down as people realise the benefits of them and government initiatives (that pay people for creating their own electricity) kick in,” says Heap. “They generate electricity for the house and anything not used is sold to the National Grid.” High tech advances in glazing can
also contribute to the eco equation, with glass that reflects heat back into the kitchen, highly efficient double and triple glazing and tighter window or door frame designs to stop drafts and keep energy inside the room. And don’t forget low-tech insulation.
New homes are generally better insulated than older buildings so it’s worth checking levels in the roof, floors and walls to see if these can be improved. According to the Energy Saving Trust, householders could save around £145 per year by insulating an un-insulated loft, as well as reduce their home’s CO2 emissions.
SEEING THE LIGHT First came energy-efficient bulbs now we are on the cusp of yet another lighting change with LEDs – and they are good news environmentally. Though prices are still quite high they are falling and unlike their energy saving predecessors, they can be dimmed, which is great news from a design perspective when it comes to ambient and task lighting in the kitchen.
“A year ago you couldn’t get LEDs with a warm light, now you can and they are fantastic,” says Bond. “You can conceal them, install them in alcoves or create wall washes – and they should last 25 years.” They also use very little electricity – another eco plus point.
APPLIANCE GUIDANCE It’s no longer enough to go for A-rated appliances in kitchen design, new regulations mean that we should be aspiring to A+, A++ and even A+++ appliances when it comes to energy efficiency and water saving. Some of the most efficient
dishwashers consume just seven litres of water, while washing machines have also upped the ante, with some capable of savings in water, time and energy of up to 50 per cent thanks to technology that gauges the size of the load (for example, Whirlpool’s Green Generation washing machine). There’s even a virtually waterless model being developed by Xeros Ltd with the University of Leeds, although a domestic version is still a way off. Fridge freezers that keep food fresh
for longer, offer different temperature zones and have a holiday setting that allows the freezer to function as normal while the fridge is empty and runs to a higher, less energy-intense temperature, are becoming the norm and are widely available. According to Mark Bristow, MD at
Liebherr, A++ cooling appliances are 45% cheaper to run than class A fridge freezers. He adds: “Ninety per cent of Liebherr’s appliances in the UK are A+ rated. An A rated appliance is no longer seen as green within the new energy labelling system and we will see a shift in purchasing habits as the labelling provides information to assist buyers in making an informed purchasing decision.” Eco considerations should also be
taken into account with small appliances – hot water taps for example are more ➔
Above: Fired Earth’s Cotto porcelain tiles are made using 40 per cent recycled material
Below: Suitable for both internal and external use, Ecotech from Surface Tiles is a made from up to 70 per cent recycled porcelain waste
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