COPYRIGHT 2016 JAMES DULLEY ( www.dulley.com/sea/ ) - December 2016 - (graphics ref. No. 174u at www.dulley.com/sea/column/2016-dec.htm )

"Remodel your kitchen for efficiency, convenience and modern decor"

Dear Jim: I am completely remodeling my kitchen. I want it to be convenient, but also energy efficient. What are some of the basic design concepts and efficient appliances/fixtures to consider? - Michael T.

Dear Michael: Typically, the most convenient kitchen is also the most efficient. Newer appliances with programmable controls reduce energy consumption while providing more precise controls. With a convenient kitchen layout, less time, water, lighting, heating, and ventilation are needed.

The three primary kitchen activity areas are the refrigerator, stove and sink. This is referred to as the "kitchen triangle". For convenience, each primary area are should be from four to nine feet from one another. The total should not be more than 26 feet. In a large kitchen, add a second sink to create a secondary triangle to stay under the 26-foot maximum for each.

Consider the typical traffic patterns through the kitchen and that the kitchen often becomes the center of activity when entertaining. Locate the kitchen triangle to provide at least two feet of traffic space outside the triangle. If possible, locate the refrigerator at the farthest tip of the triangle because it is most often accessed by others not preparing food.

Locating the sink under a window is wise. This provides adequate brightness from natural light for tasks at the sink. It also provides a pleasing view of outdoors when doing mundane sink tasks. Sixty inches of counter space, split evenly on each side of the sink, is recommended.

The stove should be located away from a window and direct drafts through the kitchen. The efficiency goal is to get as much heat as possible into the cooking utensil and food. A cooling draft across the stove would be counterproductive. Counter space of 36 inches around the stove is adequate for a standard four-burner/element range.

A refrigerator needs adequate air flow through the condenser coils for efficiency, so don't tuck it away in a corner or surrounded by tall cabinets or closets. Also, select a location that is not in the direct sun from a window. Stainless steel can get quite warm in the direct sun.

Install a variety of lighting fixtures on many switched wiring circuits to provide flexibility. Overhead LED PAR-type bulbs are ideal above the counter areas. LED strip lighting hidden under cabinets works well for ambient lighting.

A low-cost T8 ceiling fluorescent fixture is still effective and reasonably efficient for overall general lighting, but a couple of 2x2-foot LED ceiling panel complements more modern decor.

Choose efficient appliances. Although a top-freezer refrigerator style is still the most efficient, with new materials, seals, compressors, etc., the style efficiency differences are not as great as they used to be. Always compare the yellow energy labels and look for Energy Star products.

Since water usage is significant, select a dishwasher with an efficient two-pump design. Install a convenient touch-control faucet with a long hose. This allows you to turn the water on an off with just the touch of a hand or elbow without having to waste water readjusting the temperature each time.

Select a multispeed range hood with LED lighting. Some have variable-speed controls to minimize excessive conditioned air loss from the house. Its size should be 50 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of air flow capacity for each lineal foot of stove top. The hood should be as wide as the stove and about two feet above it.

If you are also installing new flooring, adding electric infloor radiant heat is ideal for zone heating a kitchen. Some companies, such as WarmlyYours and Heatizon offer systems designed for laminate and hardwood floors.

Dear Jim: We had a new high-efficiency central air-conditioner installed last summer. It runs much more than our older one and my neighbors complain that it is noisy. What can I do? - Rick H.

Dear Rick: New high-efficiency air conditioners, especially multispeed models, run for longer periods of time. They also have higher-volume condenser fans for efficiency that may create higher sound levels.

Many central air-conditioner manufacturers offer kits to reduce the air conditioner noise outdoors. If the sound seems to be vibrations or a hum from the base, mount it on antivibration pads available from your cooling contractor.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Publication Name, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.