A kitchen remodel can be complicated and expensive. A recent study by the National Association of Realtors pins the cost of a midrange remodel in Seattle at over $45,000, while an upscale one average well over $70,000. So it makes sense to do things right, the first time. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce both the cost and complexity of a kitchen renovation, while increasing the room’s environmental efficiency and human health performance.

Mind the scope!
Kitchen remodels are prime candidates for “scope creep,” where the owner’s original plan for a simple upgrade becomes a major remodel. Keep in mind your goals for the renovation, and stick to them.

Think efficiency
Kitchens are active spaces. Cooking and cleaning, along with heating and lighting the space, make the kitchen a major consumer of energy and water. Kitchen activities also produce much of a household’s waste. All these activities can be done more efficiently, substantially reducing your home’s utility bills. Try the following:

•Purchase Energy Star® qualified appliances, lighting, and ventilating fans. See www.energystar.gov to identify appliance models that consume at least 20% less energy than standard models.

• Energy star dishwashers also save water. Additional water savings are to be had by upgrading your faucet’s aerator to a 2.0 GPM (gallon per minute) version, available at virtually any hardware store. Some aerators for kitchen use come with a handy lever to temporarily restrict flow as you’re soaping up dishes.

• If you’re undertaking a serious kitchen remodel that involves a down-to-the-studs approach, this is the perfect time to install or upgrade insulation and windows. Look to www.efficientwindows.org for information on high-performance window options.

• Reduce waste by recycling what you can and composting kitchen scraps. Learn how to compost at home by visiting www.seattle.gov/util and clicking on Yard.

Choose green and healthy materials.
From cabinetry to flooring, there’s plenty of opportunity to introduce health- and planet-friendly materials into your kitchen.

• Choose paints and materials that are free of volatile substances that can compromise indoor air quality. Most paint manufacturers now offer “low VOC” (volatile organic compound—a substance that easily converts to gas at room temperature) paints. Also look for composite wood products free of formaldehyde, an irritant recently listed as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

• Recycled content materials conserve resources. Kitchen countertops and tile are two kitchen products available with recycled content.

• Natural products, like solid wood, bamboo and old-fashioned linoleum, impart a warm feel to the kitchen and reduce the use of non-renewable materials. Look for wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to ensure sustainable harvest.

For more on remodeling with an eye for health and the environment, see the Kitchen guide in the Green Home Remodel series, by going to www.seattle.gov/sustainablebuilding and clicking on Green Home Remodel.