|
|
Home > Energy Efficiency Tips & Tools > Renovations > Your Kitchen
Your Kitchen
Renovating your kitchen? Keep these tips in mind
Freshening up the kitchen is one of the most popular home renovations.
It can also be one of the most expensive ones, since it often involves
new cupboards, new appliances, and extensive plumbing and electrical work.
Unless you are very confident that you have the skills to tackle the job,
it pays to hire competent licensed contractors or tradespeople.
| Before you start |
- Be sure you follow your local building codes, the Ontario Electrical
Safety Code, bylaws and permit requirements.
- Have a qualified electrician look at your panel and wiring to
determine what may be needed for your additional electrical requirements,
and make arrangements for an electrical
inspection.
- Have a qualified electrician look at your panel and wiring to
determine what may be needed for your additional electrical requirements.
- Make sure you're looking at all aspects of the job. While it's
easy to focus on new cupboards and appliances, consider this an
opportunity to upgrade your insulation and windows (especially
if you're gutting the kitchen) and improve your electrical service
and plumbing.
|
| Appliances |
- If you're looking at new appliances, here's your chance to make
the right choices. Take the time to do your research. Learn
how to read EnerGuide labels. Get appliances that will suit
your requirements and give you the best value for your energy
dollar. Learn more about shopping for appliances
here.
- Think about your real appliance requirements. For example, if
your children have moved out, you may not need the same size refrigerator
any more. Also take a look at microwaves and toaster ovens. They
are often more energy efficient than using an oven.
- Measure all doorways before you buy. It may seem obvious, but
make sure you can get your new appliances into your kitchen.
- Consider your ventilation requirements. You may want a fan over
the stove to exhaust humidity and odours outside.
|
| Insulation |
- If you're tearing down the old drywall, check current levels
of insulation. If there is little or no insulation in place, or
if current insulation is below recommended levels, it pays to
upgrade.
- Before you insulate, you should look at caulking
and weatherstripping. Check around any windows, doors, plumbing,
and venting.
- Recommended minimum insulation level for walls (in electrically
heated homes) is R27.
- Look at the windows in your kitchen. If they are single pane,
or older double pane, it may be worthwhile to replace them. Learn
about energy efficient windows here.
|
| Your electrical system |
- Typically, you use a large percentage of your electricity in
the kitchen. Have a licensed electrician check your electrical
supply, panel, and wiring to determine whether your wiring is
sufficient. You may find you need a new panel to accommodate the
additional appliances and outlets.
- When laying out your lighting plan, it's smart to group your
lights on a few circuits. Plan for good task lighting above counters.
Think about including dimmer switches. You can waste energy by
putting all your lights on one switch. Learn
more about lighting here.
- Look for light fixtures that can accommodate energy efficient
bulbs. Some energy efficient bulbs are a bit larger than conventional
incandescent bulbs. See the lighting
replacement chart for more information on energy efficient
lighting.
- Have your electrical work inspected and approved before you
apply drywall or any wall coverings. An Inspector from the Electrical
Safety Authority will need to be able to see all of the wiring.
If it's covered up, you may have to remove it again.
|
| Safety considerations |
- Major appliances draw a lot of electricity. It is important
that they are wired by a qualified electrician whose work is inspected
by an electrical inspector.
- Consider fire precautions. Do you have multiple exits from your
kitchen? Can a window be used as an exit? Do you have a fire extinguisher?
|
back to top
|
|
