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Kitchen Special
“People want kitchens with glass cabinets, islands that weren’t
popular 20 years ago, swing up doors, extractor fans and a lot of other
things, so they are simply ripping out their old kitchen and putting in
a brand new one as that is how things are done now simply because
people want a new kitchen and want to give their home a new feel to it.
“Also couples who have bought a house and if they don’t the kitchen
that is there currently, they will also rip the kitchen out and replace
it with a brand new one. The old kitchens may still be in very good
condition but it is definitely a case of ripping it out and throwing the
kitchen away because they (the home
owners) want their kitchen to have a modern twist to it with top of the
range appliances,’’ she imparted.
Making Your Kitchen Eco-Friendly
Whilst this room is the heart of the home, it is also the room that is
costing you the most as it uses more energy than any other room in your
house. Below are a few tips on how to improve the energy efficiency of
your home!
*Beat boiler costs
The average Irish household spends approximately €2,700 on fuel, with
boilers often accounting for up to half of their total fuel bill, by getting
your boiler serviced regularly, you could save up to €150 per year. You
could also replace your current low efficiency boiler with a new high
efficency one, cutting your bills by 25%.
*Reduce the temperature
After central heating, the fridge is the biggest drain on a household’s
energy because it is switched on all the time. A good tip is to not keep
your fridge too cold. Five degrees centigrade is thought to be the ideal
temperature. If you set the temperature any lower, you are wasting
energy.
*Defrost regularly
When frost builds up in your fridge or freezer, it will need more energy
to run so to reduce your costs here, simply defrost your fridge and
freezer every six months!
*Avoid raising costs whilst cooking!
When cooking in an oven avoid opening the door. As much as 20 per
cent of the heat from the oven escapes every time you do and always
cook on the top rack of the oven. By keeping your food closer to the
heating element you can cut your cooking time by 20 per cent.
*If you want it to be nice, put a lid on it!
When cooking on a hob or a stove, always cover your pots and pans with
lids. This way they will heat better and actually cook the food faster.
*Wash up and save water
Research carried out in 200 households discovered that those with a
dishwasher used an average of 28% less energy and 50% less water
than households that didn’t have one. It is worth noting that this only
holds true for households that only turn on the dishwasher when fully
loaded. It is also a good idea to use the ‘eco-setting’ on your dishwasher
if you have one as this uses less power to heat the water.
Home & Build Winter 2016
Wi