Q: About 74% of the survey respondents said cost effectiveness is their No. 1 motivator for going the sustainable route, How is choosing sustainable products contributing to cost effectiveness? How is it saving you money?
Sustainability isn’t intended to save us money in the remodeling process, it is about saving the planet in the long-run. However you can be sustainable based on your desires and needs on a sliding scale like those I’ve listed above.
In California, we have had code-enforced sustainability for years, this is why we see warnings about formaldehyde in coffee shops. It is a naturally occurring chemical as any natural item starts to decay. What was critical in our standards was “no added formaldehyde” in products.
For Green Design in remodeling today, the trick is going the next step. Sustainability needs to be considered through the whole life cycle of the product and the environment it is intended for. For example, the durability and maintenance of a product may be one family’s focus because they don’t want to be required to use stinky sealants, or harsh chemicals to keep their white marble-look counter clean. For another client, their focus may be from the original source, what chemicals are used and how much recycled content is being used in that same white marble-look and how will they impact their family with young kids who forget to use a plate when making their PBJ sandwich? For others the end of the life cycle of th material might be there focus. What happens when the next owner remodels in 20+ years and this countertop ends up in the landfill or can this product be recycled at that point?
All of these intentions are sustainable for their very different reasons, and all come at a significant price-point range as well. Just a basic quartz countertop from a larger company that caters to the Big-Box store may have the longevity, but not the recycled content or less benign chemicals. While the end of life recyclable content like a paper or concrete countertop will be at the opposite end of the spectrum and may also not have the sturdiness to always look new and patina.
Q: Energy efficiency was the impetus for buying new kitchen appliances - Why is this a rising trend among homeowners?
I wouldn’t call Energy Efficiency a “Trend”, it is a law, a lifestyle, and a benefit to everyone. Most people who has lived in California, especially in the Bay Area, since the 1980’s have experienced rolling black-outs and other painful outages due to Fire Season. Their energy bills have become ridiculously out of affordability ranges in the extreme cold/heat seasons and climate change is being felt to a degree as never before. In 1995, Title 24, California’s Energy Code, became effective. It was well intentioned, but limited in desirability. Over the years we have suffered under poorly considered fluorescent lighting, 50% efficacy rules for kitchen lighting, bathroom rules about the 1st switch being a fluorescent light and more. Technology has caught up and is getting better. LED lighting has requirements called JA8 so that we can purchase with more confidence and not re-create a bad taste for progress.
In the 1974, under Governor Ronald Regan, California created the Nation’s 1st Energy Commission. I remember getting solar water tanks on the roof of our garage in the 1980’s and thought grown-ups had the right idea. Appliances are on this same journey. Over the past several years, we have had the “California Solar Initiative (CSI)” with continuing efforts to reduce the energy load and contain electrical fire safety issues. Because of these changes and rising costs, it is imperative that our appliances in kitchens and other areas of our homes run as efficiently as possible. Energy Star products are available nation-wide, at inexpensive retailers and high-end showrooms alike. There isn’t a good excuse to not choose an opportunity to have fresh produce, faster cooking-times, and lower energy bills all at the same time.
Change is never easy, many people have tried coli and glass top electric cooktops and ranges only to whip right back to natural gas. It’s easy and intuitive, yet is introduces yet one more harmful chemical into our homes that are tight with insulation and double-paned windows. My little soap-box saying is to “just try it”. Most jurisdictions, including PG&E have an “Induction Cooktop Loaner Program". While this won’t represent every manufacturer’s quality, it will offer anyone who is curious and afraid to jump with both feet a chance to check it out. Induction is here to stay. It has chef quality control, safety for those who forget the kettle on, and safety for small curious hands that reach where they shouldn’t. The best part is that it is available from low-cost as well as high-end manufacturers!
Q: In line with the focus on sustainability, homeowners care about how long their kitchen materials last. Almost half (48%) of respondents cited durability as a factor in choosing kitchen cabinet materials, while 57% considered it when purchasing countertop materials. Why do homeowners choose durability? Kids? cost-efficient in the long run? Please shed some light on these trends from your experience.
Durability is the first step in sustainability and countertops receive the most use in a kitchen, even in ones where the owner doesn’t cook. Will it continue to look fantastic for your investment in 5-10 years? Is it easy to clean when your kids use it for finger-paint instead of their piece of paper? Perhaps Nailed-It is your actual culinary style but the Great British Bake-Off is what you imagine when baking a cake for a birthday? Most homeowners have shied away from natural materials that patina easily with stains, scratches or changes finish because a visitor left their red wine glass or lemon directly on it. They want to have the look and visual warmth that natural stone offers without the maintenance. Can you tell when your kitchen counter is dirty? The recent pandemic has caused us to think differently about sanitation and so have the tile countertops with large cracking grout lines, that catch every crumb.
Durable and sustainable countertops, appliances, and other materials are available across the nation. When making a selection with our clients we ask questions specifically to address the needs and not just the visual desires of our clients so that we can guide them to options that fit their investment range, their maintenance needs, and their personal style. Pay attention to the origin source, recycled content, and durability of materials, and energy efficiency of appliances and live in sustainable, healthy style for your family and the planet too.
